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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 2023-24 RES, 65 events were awarded funding, including eight through the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme. Download the list of 2023-24 RES events (PDF 145KB).

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 2024-25 RES round is up to $1.1 million, including $250,000 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.

Last Reviewed: 2023-10-17