What is the Regional Events Scheme?
One of two funding pools we have open to regional event holders, Regional Events Scheme (RES) provides funding to small-scale or developing regional events across Western Australia.
RES is an annual, competitive funding round. Applicants can apply for between $5,000 and $40,000 per event, per financial year from a total available funding pool of $1 million.
Eligible events must be held in one of WA's nine regions and are assessed against how well the event achieves the following objectives:
- VISITATION - Bring additional visitation and expenditure to regions, including during off-peak and shoulder seasons.
- ECONOMIC - Support economic growth in the region, including through local job creation, career and capability development.
- MEDIA - Raise the profile of the region through event promotion and media coverage.
- SOCIAL - Promote inclusive and sustainable event practices and improve the vibrancy, social amenity and wellbeing in regional WA.
The Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES) is part of the RES funding awarded each year with $150,000 available for events that showcase Aboriginal culture and that involve Aboriginal people in the leadership, coordination as well as delivery of the event.
Tourism WA aims to position Western Australia as the premier destination for Aboriginal cultural tourism in Australia. This is achieved by respectfully empowering and promoting WA’s Aboriginal cultural tourism sector in ways that deliver economic, social and cultural benefits for Aboriginal people.
The 2026-27 RES funding round committed funding 64 events, including seven through the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme.
How to apply?
The 2027-28 RES funding round will be open from 9am (AWST) Monday, 15 June 2026 and will close 5pm (AWST) Friday, 17 July 2026. No applications will be accepted after this time.
Applicants should first discuss their application with the Tourism WA Regional Events Team prior to applying for funding by emailing regionalevents@westernaustralia.com or calling (08) 9262 1780.
Once the application has been discussed with a representative from the Regional Events Team, applicants must complete an application through the Tourism WA Funding Portal. No other format of application will be accepted.
If the application for funding is successful, the applicant will enter into a sponsorship agreement with Tourism WA. This agreement will document the conditional funding requirements. Please see sample sponsorship agreement for reference.
If the application for funding is successful, the applicant will enter into a sponsorship agreement with Tourism WA. This agreement will document the conditional funding requirements. Please see sample sponsorship agreement for reference.