The Western Australian Government has launched a $25 million Regional Housing Support Fund, a significant initiative aimed at alleviating the chronic housing shortages that constrain business growth and staff retention in regional areas. For agritourism operators, this fund presents a direct and actionable opportunity to address one of the sector’s most pressing operational challenges.
Announced on 28 October 2025, the program offers grants of up to $5 million to support the development of key worker housing, community housing, and residential subdivisions. This funding is designed to overcome the high costs and infrastructure gaps that frequently render regional housing projects unviable.
Key Details of the Regional Housing Support Fund
The fund is open to applications from local governments, community housing providers, and, critically for WAAA members, private developers and landowners. This eligibility criterion means farm and station owners can apply for funding to develop accommodation solutions on their own properties.
According to the government, funding can be used for a wide range of costs associated with development, including construction, site preparation, roadworks, and the installation of essential services like water, power, and telecommunications. To be eligible, projects must consist of a minimum of three residential dwellings or lots.
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey highlighted the program’s objective.
“We know that regional housing projects often face significant barriers, from high construction costs to infrastructure gaps, and this fund is about helping to reduce these obstacles to get homes built where they are needed most,” he said.
“By supporting local governments, community housing providers, and developers, we’re helping to deliver housing that supports communities and local workforces.”
Strategic Implications for WA Agritourism
For the agritourism sector, the inability to secure local accommodation for staff is a major impediment to growth. This fund provides a potential financial pathway to develop on-farm housing, which can be a decisive factor in attracting and retaining skilled employees, from farm hands to hospitality managers.
Furthermore, the requirement for a minimum of three dwellings could be leveraged as a dual-purpose investment. An operator could develop a small cluster of chalets or units initially intended for staff, which could also supplement visitor accommodation capacity during peak seasons, thereby creating a new revenue stream and enhancing business resilience.
Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson emphasised the broader community benefit.
“This is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about creating vibrant, sustainable regional communities where people want to live and work for the long term,” Mr Dawson stated.
How to Apply and Key Deadlines
Agritourism operators interested in exploring this opportunity should begin preparing their proposals promptly. The fund is positioned as a competitive grants program, and well-developed applications demonstrating clear community and economic benefits will be essential.
Applications for the Regional Housing Support Fund close at 5pm AWST on Friday, 19 December 2025. Further information, including detailed guidelines and application portals, is available on the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website.
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