What is the Regional Events Scheme
Our Regional Events Scheme (RES) is an annual funding round for smaller and developing regional events across WA.
We support events that:
- bring more people to the region, which means more tourism dollars for the community
- attract media coverage, which helps promote the region as an exciting destination
- involve and inspire the local community
- encourage people to come to the region outside of the typical tourist season
- add vibrancy and excitement to the region
- support jobs in regional WA
- showcase a strong point of difference and/or profile the unique features of the town and/or region.
In the 2024-25 RES, 73 events were awarded funding, including nine through the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme. Download the list of 2024-25 RES events.
How to apply for funding
The next round of applications will open in August 2024 for events to be held between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.
How much funding is available
You can apply for funding of between $5,000 and $40,000 per year. The total funding available in the 2025-26 RES round is up to $1 million, including $150,000 for the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES). To apply for RAES, your event must deliver Aboriginal activities and experiences through the leadership and participation of Aboriginal people.
Funding criteria and guidelines
Applications are evaluated against the RES criteria which can be found in the RES 2024-25 Guidelines (PDF 3.2MB). Funding is awarded through a competitive process so sometimes events that meet the criteria may not be funded.
Your event must be held in one of WA's nine regions as determined by the Regional Development Commission Act 1993. These are the Peel, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Mid-West, Gascoyne, Goldfields-Esperance, Pilbara and Kimberley. For boundaries, see the regional map (PDF 823 KB).
RES funding recipients will need a risk management plan that complies with the latest Australian Standard for risk management as well as up-to-date insurance certificates of currency for their event. We will hold free risk management workshops for successful applicants.
More information and useful documents
Other useful documents and links:
For more useful resources for event holders, including risk management and how to promote your event, visit Resources for events.
If you have any questions about the Regional Events Scheme email regionalevents@westernaustralia.com.