There are many sources of funding available through grant programs from both the public and private sectors that can be obtained for tourism purposes. Grants, funding programs and industry assistance are available from Commonwealth, state and territory governments.
Australian Government
The Australian Government GrantsLINK website provides information on what grants and other assistance is available for starting and expanding your business, research and development, innovation and exporting.
There are lots of programs which will help with general business development. Some of the programs which readily deal with tourism product include the Regional Development Commission's Regional Development Scheme.
TQUAL Grants, formerely known as the Australian Tourism Development Programme, is a highly competitive merit based grants programme administered by the Australian Government, which aims to stimulate sustainable growth in the Australian tourism industry.
The Australian Minister for Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, opened TQUAL Grants on 15 April 2009.
The Commonwealth Government has allocated $40 million over 4 years from 1 July 2011 for TQUAL Grants to stimulate sustainable economic growth in the Australian tourism industry by enhancing the supply of quality tourism products and experiences to support marketing promises. TQUAL Grants is managed and administered by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
The program actively encourages additional private sector investment in the development of Australia's tourism industry products, services and experiences. Applicants must provide at least dollar for dollar matching cash for the project equivalent to the amount of funding sought from TQUAL Grants.
Two types of project funding are available through TQUAL Grants:
- Tourism Quality Projects of up to $100,000 (plus GST) are available for smaller scale projects to support collaborative community tourism industry development projects, particularly those which stimulate private sector investment. Applications for this program close at 5pm (AEST) Friday 15 April 2011. This is a four year program and it is anticipated the next round will open for applications early in 2012.
- Strategic Tourism Investment Grants of up to $1 million (plus GST) will be available to fund a small number of larger scale projects to support Indigenous tourism, economic development and tourism employment. Requests for project suggestions opened on 11 March 2011.
Further information on the TQUAL Grants Program is available from:
www.ret.gov.au/tourism/tourism_programs/tq/tgrants or
TQUAL Grants
Tourism Division
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
GPO Box 1564
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: 13 28 46
Email: tqualgrants@ret.gov.au
In preparing applications, applicants should make themselves aware of Tourism WA's strategic plans and policies as part of the assessment process will involve determining alignment with State tourism plans. The relevant Tourism WA key plans are:
Tourism Western Australia Strategic Plan_2008 to 2013.pdf (3.81MB)
Download the 5 Destination Development Strategies for Western Australia:
Australia's South West Destination Development Strategy 2007-2017 (1.46MB)
Australia's Coral Coast Destination Development Strategy 2007-2017 (980KB)
Australia's Golden Outback Destination Development Strategies 2007-2017 (836KB)
Australia's North West Destination Development Strategy 2007-2017 (1.81MB)
Experience Perth Destination Development Strategy 2007-2017 (984KB)
(The above documents are large files. To save, use the right click on your mouse and select "Save Target As")
State Government
The Western Australia State Government 'Grants Referral Directory' provides information about grants and assistance programs for regional and metropolitan communities, businesses and local governments. The Small Business Development Corporation also provides information about grants available for small business in Western Australia.
There are lots of programs which will help with general business development. One grant program which has assisted tourism ideas is the Regional Development Commission's Regional Development Scheme.
Indigenous businesses
There are a number of programs available to assist Indigenous Tourism Businesses get started. Indigenous Tourism Australia provides businesses with useful funding information.
Tourism Western Australia
Tourism Western Australia supports the EventsCorp Regional Events Scheme which provides funding for regional events.