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RADS overview
The Regional Airports Development Scheme provides financial assistance to regional airport owners for the renewal and upgrade of airport infrastructure that is fit for the transport needs of WA communities.
2025-27 RADS Funding Round now closed
The 2025-27 RADS Funding Round is now closed for applications.
The Department of Transport will provide up to $3.8 million in RADS grants to successful applicants for the 2025-27 round. Successful projects are expected to be announced in the first quarter of 2025.
For more information about DoT's new online management grants system visit the Grants and funding page.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply for a RADS grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The airport must be located in regional or remote Western Australia.
- The applicant must be the airport owner or lease holder (or duly authorised delegate).
- The organisation must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- The airport provides aviation services for the general public.
- The airport must be maintained on an ongoing basis.
- The project will provide public benefit.
- The project is unlikely to be undertaken without RADS assistance.
- The applicant can demonstrate the procurement policy (or equivalent) that will be followed for the project as part of the application process.
- All Regular Public Transport (RPT) airports must submit the most current Strategic Airports Assets and Financial Management Framework for the airport.
Eligible projects
Those projects that are eligible for RADS funding should fall into one or more of the following categories.
Note:
Other types of projects may be funded at the Minister's discretion.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Movement Area development | This may involve construction, extension, sealing or marking of runways, taxiways and aircraft parking areas. This includes meeting Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) requirements and relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) aerodrome regulations. |
| Airside development | This may include provision of airport lighting, navigation aids and patient transfer facilities. |
| Grounds development | This may include animal exclusion fencing, drainage or obstacle limitation areas. |
| Terminal development | This may include construction, installation of security equipment, such as bag and passenger screening facilities, or safety enhancements. |
| Airport strategic planning | A strategic airport asset and financial management plan typically guides future capital works at the airport. |
| Other aviation infrastructure projects | If the project falls outside of the above categories, it is important that the applicant clearly demonstrate how the project will improve regional air services and air safety for the benefit of regional communities. |
- RPT airports (excluding Community RPT airports such as Kalumburu and Balgo) applying for RADS funding will commit to working with DoT to complete and maintain a Strategic Airport Assets and Financial Management Framework.
- Where the airport is located on land owned or managed by the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority or Aboriginal Lands Trust (ALT), the applicant is responsible for ensuring that they have complied with the ALT land use and development policy.
| Strategic Airport Assets and Financial Management Framework (Framework) | Kb | |
| Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) | ||
|---|---|---|
Aviation contacts
| Service Type | Suburb | Business Name | Phone number | Phone number (secondary) | Fax | Pre-booking required | Business Hours | Street address | Postal address | Business Type | Vehicle type | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviation contact | Air Services (Aviation) | (08) 6551 6197 | (08) 6551 6001 | No | Monday to Friday 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. (excludes public holidays) | aviation@transport.wa.gov.au | P.O. Box C102, Perth WA 6839 | Department of Transport | Air Services in Western Australia, including regulation of RPT air services, closed charter operations, and aircraft licences | ||||
| Aviation contact | Aviation Infrastructure (Aviation) | (08) 6551 6196 | (08) 6551 6001 | No | Monday to Friday 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. (excludes public holidays) | rads@transport.wa.gov.au | P.O. Box C102, Perth WA 6839 | Department of Transport | Aviation Infrastructure in Western Australia, including the Regional Airports Development Scheme (RADS) |