Red Centre Tourism Development Fund

Backing operators to develop new and innovative tourism experiences.

Webinar
Register for the webinar on the Red Centre Tourism Development Fund on 16 March 2026 – noon ACST (1:30 pm AEDT)

Status: Open

The $2.5 million Red Centre Tourism Development Fund will support tourism operators with projects in the Alice Springs, MacDonnell, Barkly and Lasseter tourism regions. Funding is available to: 

  • develop new and innovative tourism products and experiences 
  • upgrade existing tourism offerings. 

How the program works

Applications are merit based. The most competitive applications will receive funding.

Austrade will administer the program. 

Program objective

The program aims to develop tourism offerings that will drive renewed interest and activity in the Red Centre. This includes the tourism regions of Alice Springs, MacDonnell, Barkly and Lasseter. 

Program outcomes

The intended outcomes of the program are to:

  • renew tourism interest in the Red Centre
  • diversify tourism offerings/address gaps in the market
  • increase visitation and spend in the Red Centre
  • improve local employment opportunities
  • increase positive reputation of the Red Centre as a destination.

Grant amounts

A total $2.5 million is available under the Red Centre Tourism Development Fund.

Individual grants between $10,000 and $250,000 (ex GST) are on offer.

Successful grantees must make the following minimum cash contributions towards the project cost: 

  • 25% for projects that develop a new and innovative tourism offering
  • 50% for projects that upgrade or enhance an existing product or experience.

Funding from other Australian Government, or state, territory or local government, sources cannot be put towards the applicant’s contribution. 

Eligibility

To receive a grant, your project must directly support a bookable product. 

Eligible applicants must:

  • be primarily a tourism business (as defined in the grant guidelines)
  • have a turnover of less than $5 million for the 2024–25 financial year 
  • have operated during the current financial year (2025–26) and for most of the financial year 2024–25
  • meet all other eligibility requirements, found in Section 4 of the Red Centre Tourism Development Fund grant guidelines.

Applications will receive priority where they are for projects: 

  • that develop new and innovative bookable products 
  • in the Alice Springs and MacDonnell tourism regions
  • submitted by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) or other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. 

Grant dates

The program opens for applications at noon AEDT (10:30 am ACST) on 5 March 2026.

Questions should be sent no later than 4:00 pm AEST (3:30 pm ACST) on 8 April 2026.

Grant applications close at 5:00 pm AEST (4:30 pm ACST) on 13 April 2026.

Projects must be completed by 15 May 2027.

Grant guidelines

Download the Red Centre Tourism Development Fund grant guidelines (DOCX 348KB).

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Download the Red Centre Tourism Development Fund frequently asked questions (DOCX 263KB).

Other documents

Download a Sample project budget (DOCX 253KB).

Download a Sample risk management plan (DOCX 254KB).

Apply

To submit your application, complete the online application form on the SmartyGrants portal.

Contact us

If you have questions about your eligibility or the application form, please contact us before submitting your grant application.

Email: tourism.grants@austrade.gov.au

Phone: 13 28 78

Footer content