- Community-based organisations across WA are invited to apply for the Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP) grants with $9.1 million available
- DAEP has helped over 600 disadvantaged community members through the driver's licence journey
- The program will expand into the Great Southern and South West regions for the first time
Grants for the Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP) are now open across Western Australia, with community-based organisations encouraged to apply for $9.1 million in funding.
The DAEP supports local organisations to address some of the barriers preventing disadvantaged people from obtaining their driver's licence, including limited access to appropriately licensed vehicles, driving supervisors and instructors, and licensing services.
Over $6.1 million in grants are earmarked in round 5 of the DAEP for the Gascoyne, Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Mid West and Pilbara, and, for the first time, $3 million for the Great Southern and South West regions, allowing more people to access the program.
Since DAEP's inception in 2021, over 600 community members have secured their driver's licence and nearly 130 have gone on to secure employment.
The program has also expanded into multiple other regions across the State, and recently announced funding for a new metro pilot partnership with the McGovern Foundation for the next two years.
Alongside this partnership with the McGovern Foundation, DAEP will also look to provide services to Peel and the Wheatbelt, to continue to meet demand.
Community organisations are invited to apply for the DAEP grants, with applications closing Friday, 16 August 2024.
For more information or to apply, please visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/daep
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're really proud to continue supporting this amazing program that's helping to change the lives of hundreds of people across the State.
"We know there are unique barriers people in our community can face when getting their driver's licence, like accessing a safe vehicle, having someone to assist with driver training or obtaining the required identity documents.
"By supporting these community members to get their driver's licence, we're helping to not only unlock major employment, training and education opportunities, but also supporting their independence and improving access to healthcare and other essential services.
"We continue to see the incredible results this program achieves, with over 600 people supported to get their driver's licence through the program so far, and 129 of these people going on to secure employment.
"We're very excited to roll this out to the Great Southern and South West, and encourage community organisations in these regions to apply."
As stated by Acting Regional Development Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The DAEP grants are fantastic in supporting local community members with licensing requirements, and continue to help achieve meaningful outcomes for people across the State.
"The program is already achieving great outcomes in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid West, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions - with 626 regional people supported to access a driver's licence through the program.
"We are excited to see DAEP expand to the Great Southern and South West for the first time, with $3 million in grants available for community-based organisations in these regions."
