Organisations and community groups who manage airports and airstrips across remote Australia will be able to apply for new funding to deliver critical upgrades from Monday, with $25 million available under a new round of funding.
The highly successful Remote Airstrip Upgrade (RAU) Program provides funding to improve the safety and accessibility of aerodromes in remote and very remote areas of Australia.
Remote airstrips provide critical access for Australians living in the far reaches of our country by connecting them with services in major regional centres, but they're also vital to the delivery of urgent supplies and facilitation of life-saving emergency flights.
Upgrade works under the Program may include improving all-weather capabilities such as sealing or resealing runways to ensure air operators can land safely and without damaging their aircraft, or lighting to allow aircraft to land at night.
This latest grant funding will also encourage successful applicants to use the allocated funding to conduct safety training for key operational personnel.
The Albanese Government has committed $50 million in the 2024-25 Budget to deliver an additional two rounds of the RAU Program.
Applications for Round 11 are set to open from Monday, 4 November for grants of between $5,000 and $4 million covering 50 per cent of eligible costs, or up to 100 per cent for Indigenous-owned and/or operated aerodromes that meet certain requirements.
Following feedback from previous rounds of the RAU Program, Round 11 has been expanded to support improved access to air services for people with disability. This may include items such as ramps, signage or aircraft boarding facilities.
These works can be undertaken as a standalone project or in conjunction with other safety and access works at the airport.
