Regional and Remote Airport Support Program
The program provided $4.8 million in critical financial relief to 34 eligible regional and remote airport operators that were owed debt by the Rex regional business when it entered voluntary administration.
The program aimed to support critical aviation services and local governments in regional and remote areas to maintain essential services.
Eligibility was assessed against the criteria in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
Applications were open between 4 February 2026 and 17 March 2026, and successful applicants were notified of outcomes in May 2026. Funding outcomes can be found at Regional and Remote Airport Support Program – Approved applicants.
Further information about the program, including the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, can be found at business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/regional-and-remote-airport-support-program.
Regional Airports Program (RAP)
The Regional Airports Program is a competitive grants program intended to:
- improve the safety of aircraft, operators and passengers using regional airports or aerodromes
- facilitate improved delivery of essential goods and services such as food supplies, health care and passenger air services
- improve the connectivity of Australia's regions to domestic and global market opportunities
- meet the operational requirements of aeromedical and other emergency services in the region.
In addition, for Round 4 and 5 eligible works were expanded to include assistance for projects that support air services transition to net zero aviation technology.
Round 5
Funding for two additional rounds of the RAP was provided in the 2024-25 Budget (with Round 4 projects announced in 2025).
Round 5 is now open for applications, with total grant funding of $15 million available. Program guidelines, contact details for enquires and other program information is available on the Business website.
Round 4
In February and March 2025 just under $25 million in funding was awarded to 45 projects under round four of the Regional Airports Program.
Funding outcomes can be found at Regional Airports Program (RAP) Round 4 approved projects.
Round 3
On 20 January 2023, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Catherine King MP announced $27.9 million in funding for 44 projects under round three of the Regional Airports Program.