Fund the Next Big Step for Your Regional Business
The REDS Grant (officially the Regional Economic Development, or RED, Grants program) reopened on 27 October 2026, offering up to $250,000 per project for locally driven work that creates jobs and grows regional economies across Western Australia.
Every regional business has a next step it’s been waiting to take. Maybe it’s hiring locally, investing in better equipment or turning a bold idea into something real. If that step could create jobs or grow your local economy, the REDS Grant could help you get there.
Applications close on 14 January 2027. With the Christmas break sitting right in the middle, the real working window is much shorter than it looks. $5 million is on the table this round, shared across all 9 regions, so every grant application is competing hard for its share.
This guide walks you through what the REDS Grant funds, who can apply, what assessors look for, and how to put forward an application that does your project justice.
REDS Grant Round 9 at a glance
| Detail | Round 9 |
|---|---|
| Funding per project | Up to $250,000 |
| Total funding this round | $5 million across regional WA |
| Opens | 27 October 2026 |
| Closes | 14 January 2027 (confirm the closing time with your Regional Development Commission) |
| Your cash contribution | Minimum 50% for businesses; not for profit and Aboriginal organisations may be considered for a lower contribution |
| Delivered by | WA’s nine Regional Development Commissions, supported by DPIRD |
| Where to apply | Online via your Regional Development Commission’s grant portal |
| Guidelines | DPIRD RED Grants page |
Good to know: Each Commission releases its own Round 9 guidelines and application form, so always read the version for your region before you start writing.
What is the REDS Grant?
The REDS Grant is a WA Government program that invests in local projects designed to deliver long term economic growth and lasting jobs in the regions. The State has committed $65.85 million to the program over 12 years.
It has a strong track record. Since 2018, the program has backed 470 projects worth $50.3 million, focused on industry development and expansion, Aboriginal enterprise growth, agricultural diversification and tourism expansion. Every one of those projects started with someone in a regional town who could see what was possible.
What can REDS Grant funding support?
Your project needs to contribute to at least one of the program’s objectives:
- Increasing or sustaining local jobs
- Expanding or diversifying industry in the region
- Developing skills or capability
- Lifting business productivity
- Attracting new investment to the region
In practice, that could look like new processing equipment that lets a producer sell value added products, a tourism experience that keeps visitors in town an extra night, or a training program that builds a local workforce pipeline. The common thread is clear: measurable benefit to the regional economy, not just to the applicant.
Who can apply for the REDS Grant?
The program is open to for profit businesses, not for profit organisations and Aboriginal organisations with projects that benefit one of WA’s 9 regions. The exact eligibility rules sit in your region’s Round 9 guidelines, but these are the essentials to check first.
You’ll likely be eligible if you:
- Are a legal entity with an ABN
- Have a project that directly benefits a regional WA community
- Can show how the project meets at least 1 program objective
- Can fund at least half the project yourself, in cash
You can’t apply if you are:
- A State or Federal Government agency
- A Government Trading Enterprise
- A school or hospital
Understanding the 50% cash contribution
Businesses are expected to put in at least 50% of the project cost in cash.
Example: A $200,000 project could seek up to $100,000 from the REDS Grant, with your own $100,000 covering the rest.
Two things often catch applicants out. First, other WA Government funding won’t count towards your 50%. Second, assessors want to see that your contribution is real and committed, not a hopeful forecast.
Not for profit and Aboriginal organisations may be considered for a reduced contribution, so raise this with your Commission early.
Find your Regional Development Commission
Each of WA’s 9 Regional Development Commissions runs the REDS Grant round for its own region and advises applicants along the way.
Make this your first call: Several Commissions ask you to speak with them before you apply.
| Region | Commission page |
|---|---|
| Gascoyne | Gascoyne Development Commission |
| Goldfields Esperance | Goldfields Esperance Development Commission |
| Great Southern | Great Southern Development Commission |
| Kimberley | Kimberley Development Commission |
| Mid West | Mid West Development Commission |
| Peel | Peel Development Commission |
| Pilbara | Pilbara Development Commission |
| South West | South West Development Commission |
| Wheatbelt | Wheatbelt Development Commission |
How to write a REDS Grant application that stands out
The strongest REDS Grant applications prove the idea will change something real for a regional community, and they back every claim with evidence.
- Talk to your Commission first. They know the region’s priorities and can tell you early if your project is a fit. That conversation can save you weeks.
- Lead with the regional outcome. Assessors are funding economic impact for the region. Open with the jobs, skills or investment your project creates, and who benefits.
- Put numbers on your impact. How many full time equivalent roles will you create or keep? How much new revenue or investment will flow into the region? Specific, realistic figures beat big, vague promises every time.
- Show your 50% is ready. Make it clear where your cash contribution is coming from and that it’s committed.
- Build in partnerships and local content. Letters of support, local suppliers and community partners show the project has roots.
- Make the budget tell the same story. Every line in your budget should connect back to the outcomes you’ve promised. Gaps between the two are where applications lose marks.
- Tell the human story. Behind every number is a family, a town, a future. Assessors are people too, and a project they can picture is a project they remember.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving it until January. The Christmas shutdown eats into the round, and quotes, letters of support and financials all take time to gather.
- Writing for yourself, not the assessor. Answer each question exactly as asked, against the criteria.
- Overclaiming jobs. Inflated numbers damage credibility. Assessors know what is realistic for your industry and region.
- Treating the application as a form. A competitive grant application is a business case. It needs strategy, evidence and a clear line from investment to outcome.
Work with a grant specialist who knows what assessors look for
Assessors score every application against the same criteria. The ones that get funded answer each question directly, back every claim with evidence and show a budget that matches the outcomes. Getting all three right is a skill, and it’s what a specialist grant writer brings.
Soto Group has helped clients secure grants from $15,000 up to $15 million across sustainability, technology and innovation, medical and biotechnology, arts and tourism, women’s advancement and the not for profit sector. Our team has also worked as advisors to State and Federal Government grant programs, so we understand the process from the assessor’s side of the table.
Recent highlights include:
- CRCP Recycling Grant: $2 million
- Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship: $1 million
- Building Women’s Careers: $1 million
- Arts and Recreation Grants: $400,000
- Local Capability Fund (LCF): $25,000
- SBDC (Small Business Development Corporation) Grant: $10,000
Our REDS Grant support packages
| Package | Investment | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Package 1: Full service | $5,000 + GST | We handle your REDS Grant from start to finish: grant writing, budget preparation, supporting documentation and submission through the portal. You give us what you have, and we tell you exactly what else we need. |
| Package 2: Partial service | $3,500 + GST | We write the grant. You upload it to the portal and manage the supporting documents and budget figures, with clear direction from our team. |
| Package 3: Review only | $1,000 + GST | Already drafted your application, or reworking one from a previous round? We’ll review it line by line, suggest edits and give you the green light to submit. |
Every package comes with the same thinking behind our strongest submissions: strategic planning, cost benefit analysis, financial forecasting and a clear story about why your project matters to your region.
REDS Grant FAQs
Is the REDS Grant the same as the RED Grants program?
Yes. The official name is the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program. Many people search for it as the REDS Grant, and the WA Government’s own short link uses “REDs” too.
How much can I apply for?
Up to $250,000 for an individual project, matched by at least 50% of the project cost from your side for businesses.
Can I use another government grant as my contribution?
Other WA Government funding won’t count towards your 50% contribution. If you have Federal funding or a loan in the mix, check how your region’s guidelines treat it.
When does Round 9 close?
Applications close on 14 January 2027. Confirm the exact closing time with your Regional Development Commission, as late applications can’t be accepted.
How long does a strong grant application take to write?
For a full service package, allow around two weeks for drafting, review and finalising. Over the Christmas period, plan for longer, as suppliers, partners and accountants may be away.
How can I improve my chances of winning a REDS Grant?
Answer each assessment question exactly as it’s asked, back your impact with evidence, and make your budget match your outcomes. Working with an experienced grant writing team who understands what assessors prioritise can also lift your application significantly.
Ready to move?
Your region needs the project you’ve been planning. The REDS Grant can help make it happen, but only if your application shows assessors what you already know: that this matters, and that you’re ready to deliver.
With Christmas landing in the middle of Round 9, the sooner we start, the stronger your submission will be. Contact Soto Group today to talk through your project with a grant specialist.
