The Western Australian Government has opened applications for its 2026-27 Regional Events Scheme (RES), making a total of $1 million in funding available to support smaller and developing events across the state. This annual program represents a critical opportunity for regional communities and event organisers to secure funding that can attract new visitors, stimulate local economies, and enhance the vibrancy of regions where agritourism businesses operate.
The scheme provides funding of between $5,000 and $40,000 for events held between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. For WAAA members, a strong calendar of regional events is a powerful driver of tourism, creating consistent demand for accommodation, food, and on-farm experiences throughout the year.
Strategic Importance of Regional Events
A well-supported events calendar is fundamental to regional tourism. Events act as a “destination driver,” giving potential visitors a specific reason to travel to a region at a particular time. This can help to overcome seasonality and disperse visitors beyond traditional tourism hotspots. The RES is explicitly designed to achieve these outcomes.
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby highlighted the scheme’s role in the government’s broader strategy.
“The Regional Events Scheme and the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme are so important, as they support a year-round calendar of events and encourage visitors to explore more of what WA has to offer,” he said.
“Regional events bring communities together, boost local economies, and support local jobs, all while showcasing the very best of our State.”
Dedicated Funding for Aboriginal Events
Within the $1 million funding pool, $150,000 is specifically allocated to the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES). This dedicated stream supports events that showcase and celebrate Aboriginal culture, activities, and experiences. For the agritourism sector, the growth of authentic Aboriginal cultural tourism is a significant opportunity. These events enrich the cultural landscape of a region, offering a deeper, more meaningful experience for visitors and creating opportunities for collaboration between agritourism operators and local Aboriginal communities.
How Agritourism Operators Can Capitalise
While agritourism operators may not be the direct applicants for RES funding in all cases, they are key stakeholders and beneficiaries. There are several ways for WAAA members to engage with this opportunity:
- Community Collaboration: Operators can work with their local shires, tourism associations, or community groups to develop new event concepts or enhance existing ones that align with the RES criteria. An event focused on local produce, for example, would be a strong candidate.
- Partnership and Sponsorship: Agritourism businesses can partner with successful RES-funded events through sponsorship, providing venues, or creating special “stay and see” packages for event attendees.
- Direct Application: For larger operators with the capacity to run their own events that have a broader community benefit and tourism draw, a direct application to the scheme is a viable option.
The deadline for applications is 19 September 2025. As Regional Development Minister Stephen Dawson noted,
“The Regional Events Scheme has supported a wide variety of wonderful and unique events over the years.” Proactive engagement from the agritourism sector can help ensure that the next round of funded events continues to drive valuable tourism to our regions.
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