Frequently asked questions

What are Driving Access and Equity Program grants?

Driving Access and Equity Program grants are a component of the larger Driving Access and Equity Program, a State Government initiative managed by the Department of Transport to help disadvantaged people, in regional and remote Western Australia, obtain their driver’s licence and become safe, employable drivers.

What can the grants be used for?

Funding can be used for projects and initiatives that achieve one or more of the following four objectives:

Objective 1: Provide access to appropriately licensed vehicles to allow learner drivers to complete supervised driving hours, receive professional instruction or attempt a practical driving assessment.

Objective 2: Provide access to suitably licensed driving supervisors and instructors.

Objective 3: Deliver program/s that help overcome local issues and costs that prevent people from obtaining their driver’s licence.

Objective 4: Provide improved access to driver licensing services.

Who is eligible for the grants?

The following organisations are eligible to apply:

• local government authorities
• community organisations
• educational institutions
• not for profit organisations
• corporations, including Aboriginal controlled organisations
• businesses or organisations that provide access to driving supervision or instruction. 

Note: Joint proposals from organisations to deliver project/s that assist beneficiaries to complete all 6 steps to get their licence will be viewed favourably.

If your organisation does not fit within one of the categories listed above, please contact the program team to discuss options.

How much grant funding is available?

The DAEP round 5 grants has over $9.1 million available for community-based organisations to share.

Over $6.1 million in grants are earmarked for the Gascoyne, Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Mid West and Pilbara, while $3 million in grants are available for the Great Southern and South West.

How are the grants assessed?

The Department of Transport, in consultation with the Driving Access and Equity Program Grants Assessment Committee, will evaluate applications and make recommendations for approval to the Minister for Transport. 

The Driving Access and Equity Program Grants Committee consists of five representatives, at least one that does not work for the Department of Transport. 

Applications will be assessed against selection criteria including the proposal’s ability to deliver on the program’s objectives and value for money.

What is the timeline for grant assessment?

The timeline for grant assessment as follows:

• Grant round opens July 15, 2024.            
• Grant round closes August 16, 2024            
• Applicants advised of outcome: September 2024

Will the grants be available to other regions?

The Driving Access and Equity Program grants are currently available to the Gascoyne, Goldfields-Esperance, Great Southern, Kimberely, Mid West, Pilbara and South West regions.

A Delivering Community Services in Partnership Pilot has recently allowed the Driving Access and Equity program to expand into the Wheatbelt, Peel and the metropolitan area for the first time meaning the Driving Access and Equity Program is now state-wide. 

Does my organisation have to be based in the region that each grant round is open to?

Each grant round will have restrictions on where programs must operate for the program to be eligible for funding in that round.

An organisation’s head office can be located anywhere in WA as long they are applying for funding for a program operating within an eligible region.

Organisations that operate in multiple regions can apply in multiple funding rounds, as long as the programs operate within regions are eligible to be funded in that round.

Organisations will need to demonstrate significant sustainable regional benefits and a commitment to local decision-making and planning to be eligible for a grant.

Can I apply for funding in more than one region?

Yes. Where funding is sought for projects across multiple regions, applicants must clearly identify for each region how the project will be delivered, the funding requested and the expected outcomes.

If I am unsuccessful this round, can I still apply when the next round opens?

Yes. Applicants who have been advised that their application was unsuccessful can contact the Department of Transport to discuss the outcome of the assessment and how the application/project might be amended for consideration in any future rounds.

Can someone from the Department of Transport help me with my application?

The Department can provide general advice and information on completing a grant application but cannot provide any grant application content. This is to maintain the equity and integrity of the application and assessment process.

Will you contact me if there are problems/questions about our application?

To maintain the equity and integrity of our process, the Department of Transport cannot contact applicants to resolve issues with applications after the grant round has closed. If an applicant supplies incomplete documents, they may be contacted for further information.

When will I receive the grant funding?

Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Grant Agreement Contract with the Department of Transport. This agreement contract will outline the funding and payment details.

Do I have to acknowledge the grant funding in some way?

Applicants are required to seek the Department of Transport’s permission prior to making any media announcement regarding their grant. Media statements regarding the grant must mention the Driving Access and Equity Program’s contribution to the project.

What are some examples of projects that have been supported by the grants in previous rounds?

Previous grant funding has supported 24 organisations to deliver projects and helped fund:

• Vehicles and fuel for driving supervision and instruction, and to sit the practical driving assessment in.
• Costs associated with obtaining a licence. 
• Funding for mentors to be assigned to learner drivers.
• Salaries for driving instructors and supervisors.
• Road safety workshops.
• Tailored driver education and support programs.