Aviation Attraction Fund

The Tasmanian Government has committed $5 million over four years to the Aviation Attraction Fund to enable Tasmania to be agile and swift in leveraging opportunities by partnering with Tasmanian airports to increase capacity in the Tasmanian market.

The objective of the program is to support economic growth and creation of jobs and opportunities for Tasmanians by building inbound capacity and patronage to Tasmania.

The fund provides up to:

• $2 million to open new domestic routes, extend existing seasonal routes and grow capacity on existing domestic routes, and
• up to $3 million for direct international flights.

The Fund opened for applications at 2:00pm, 13 January 2025. Applications will be considered in order of receipt until funds for the relevant stream are fully committed.

Available funding

Funds may be applied to initiatives designed to build capacity and demand including, but not limited to

• sharing commercial risk of services, such as cost offsets and seat subsidies
• demand-generating strategies, including in-market promotion and media
• an agreed minimum revenue guarantee.

Funding is available under two streams:

1. International direct air access

This stream is open to current and/or new international direct air access that will support delivery of the program objectives.

Applications are to be made by a Tasmanian airport and supported by an airline. All applications must be jointly funded by both the Tasmanian airport and the airline.

A total of up to $3 million will be allocated to this stream.

2. Domestic routes

This stream is open to proposals for new routes, extensions to seasonal routes and capacity increases on existing routes.

Applications are to be made by a Tasmanian airport and supported by an airline. All applications are required to be supported and jointly funded by both the Tasmanian airport and the airline.

Applicants will be required to make a minimum co-contribution of 50 per cent for the domestic stream.

A total of up to $2 million is allocated to this stream.

Applicants must specify which stream their applications is to be considered under.

Please see the Aviation Attraction Fund Guidelines for further information on submitting an application, including eligibility criteria, minimum requirements and provision of supporting documentation.

What has changed since the program launched in January 2025?

In November 2025, the Tasmanian Government amended the Aviation Attraction Fund guidelines to allow for proposals for capacity increases on existing domestic routes, unlocking tens of thousands of more airline seats to Tasmania, boosting visitation, jobs and our regional visitor economy.

Administrative changes to the Guidelines in October allowed for multi-year proposals and funding paid in advance, where justified, better supporting the establishment and sustainability of new routes by providing certainty to airlines.

How to apply:

1. Read the Aviation Attraction Fund Guidelines (PDF 524.0 KB) carefully to make sure you are eligible before you apply.
2. You can apply through SmartyGrants for Stream 1: International direct air access
3. You can apply through SmartyGrants for Stream 2: Domestic routes

Questions?

Please email aviationfund@stategrowth.tas.gov.au