WA Spaceport Establishment Support Grant

Purpose and Program Overview

The Western Australian (WA) Government’s Spaceport Establishment Support Grant is aimed at accelerating the establishment of space launch facilities in Western Australia. A spaceport is defined as a site equipped for launching, receiving, testing, or maintaining spacecraft and rockets.

The WA Government’s co-investment supports site assessments required for planning and regulatory approvals, including securing a lease for a proposed spaceport site, and/or the development of a business case for the proposed spaceport site. The program is administered by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification and forms part of the state’s broader strategy for space industry development.

The Spaceport Establishment Support Grant supports the scale-up and expansion of spaceport businesses in the State, increasing local space industry capability development and fostering a sustainable space ecosystem in WA. It represents a strategic co-investment mechanism designed to reduce early-stage barriers for businesses seeking to establish operational space launch infrastructure in the region.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $1.75 million per applicant; minimum application value of $200,000. Funding may be awarded to one applicant or split to support multiple applicants.
• Application open date: 16 February 2026
• Application close date: 2:00 pm AWST, Friday 15 May 2026
• Eligible industry: Space industry sector
• Co-contribution required: Yes — applicants must provide matched funding of at least 1:1 against the WA Government funding request
• Location applicability: Western Australia only
• Administering body: Department of Energy and Economic Diversification
• Application portal: SmartyGrants

Priority Sectors

This grant targets a single, clearly defined sector. Applicants must be operating within the space industry sector. The program does not extend to broad cross-sector applicants. Eligible entities are those with a demonstrable intention to establish a spaceport facility in Western Australia.

The space industry priority reflects the WA Government’s commitment to positioning the state as a hub for commercial space launch activity within Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Funding Scope

The total funding pool for the program is $1.75 million. Individual applications must be for a minimum of $200,000 and a maximum of $1.75 million. Funding may be awarded to a single applicant or distributed across multiple successful applicants.

The grant supports two primary categories of expenditure:

• Site assessment activities — costs associated with conducting site assessments and related studies required for planning and regulatory approval purposes
• Business case development — costs related to developing a comprehensive business case for the proposed spaceport, including feasibility analysis, market assessment, and infrastructure planning

All expenditure must be incurred post the project commencement date and be consistent with the program guidelines. Site works for the proposed spaceport must be intended to commence before 31 December 2029.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for financial assistance, applications must satisfy all of the following eligibility requirements:

• ABN/Business registration: The applicant’s business must be registered in Australia or be eligible to register for an Australian Business Number (ABN). Businesses without an existing ABN, including foreign-owned businesses, must apply or be in the process of applying for an ABN if their application is successful. Foreign-owned businesses must provide a unique business identification number as accepted in their domicile.
• Business age: The business must be a legal entity and have been registered for three years or more.
• Financial standing: The business must be solvent and will be subject to due diligence checks.
• Industry: The business must operate in the space industry sector.
• Project intent: The business must intend to establish a spaceport in Western Australia with site works commencing before 31 December 2029.
• WA presence: If the applicant is not a Western Australian business, it must establish a subsidiary in Western Australia if the application is successful.
• Co-contribution: The business must contribute at least 50% of the total project funding costs.
• Expenditure conditions: The grant must not be spent on business-as-usual operational expenses. The requested eligible expenditure must be for services to be provided in the future.
• Submission: The application must be submitted on the SmartyGrants platform before the submission deadline.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Spaceport Establishment Support Grant funding may be expended on the following categories:

Site Assessments of the Proposed WA Spaceport Site(s)

Grant funding may be applied to expenses related to site assessments and related studies, including environmental impact assessment, native title assessment, heritage assessment, bushfire risk assessment, hydrology assessment, emissions assessment, launch and re-entry trajectory analysis, and stakeholder consultation.

Business Case Development

Grant funding may be applied to expenses related to employing suppliers to undertake business case development, including market analysis, technical and financial feasibility studies, infrastructure requirements, and risk assessment. Funding may also support employing additional team members to assist with business case development.

Other expenditure not explicitly listed above that supports site assessment or business case development for the proposed WA spaceport may also be eligible.

Assessment Process

The Spaceport Establishment Support Grant operates as a competitive grant program. Applications are assessed by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification against the eligibility criteria and program guidelines.

Key assessment considerations are likely to include the following:

• Demonstrated alignment with WA Government space industry priorities
• Feasibility and readiness of the proposed spaceport project
• Quality and completeness of the business case or site assessment plan
• Confirmation that matched funding is in place or committed
• Value for money and economic benefit to Western Australia

Applicants must demonstrate that agreements are in place for the matching funds (and/or matching funds in the bank) and that the proposed project can commence shortly upon receipt of funding.

Recent Program Updates

Applications for the Spaceport Establishment Support Grant opened on 16 February 2026, following a government announcement on the same date. This represents the inaugural round of funding under this program. No previous rounds have been conducted.

The program reflects the WA Government’s current emphasis on building space industry infrastructure and positions Western Australia as a prospective national centre for commercial space launch operations. Prospective applicants should review the Program Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions documents, which were published concurrently with the opening of applications.

Application Tips

Businesses considering an application to the Spaceport Establishment Support Grant are advised to take the following steps:

• Review all eligibility criteria carefully before commencing an application. In particular, confirm that the business has been registered for three or more years, operates within the space industry, and has the capacity to provide at least 50% co-contribution.
• Prepare matched funding documentation in advance. Evidence of committed or available matched funds is a prerequisite and should be gathered before lodgement.
• Align the project narrative with WA Government priorities. Applications should clearly articulate the strategic and economic benefits of the proposed spaceport for Western Australia.
• Engage qualified specialists for site assessments and business case development. Where applicable, securing supplier agreements prior to application will strengthen the credibility of the proposal.
• Allow sufficient time for electronic submission. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Applicants should retain email confirmation of submission for their records.
• Seek pre-lodgement guidance if needed. The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification can provide high-level guidance on application requirements before lodgement. Enquiries can be directed to space@deed.wa.gov.au.

Where to Get Help

Preparing a competitive application for a specialised grant program such as the Spaceport Establishment Support Grant requires careful attention to eligibility requirements, project documentation, and alignment with government priorities. Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant, and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Spaceport Establishment Support Grant and other associated Australian government websites.