The NSW Take-Off Fund is a strategic aviation initiative designed to stimulate international and interstate aviation capacity into NSW and support the delivery of the additional 8.5 million aviation seats required to meet the 2035 visitor economy target of $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure.

The program aims to attract new routes and increase seat capacity, driving visitor economy growth and encouraging regional dispersal.

It is an open, competitive grant program offered to NSW airports.

Key information

Status: Open

Grant amount: Up to $12,500,000 (to be matched by the applicant)

Program objectives

  • Secure new or increased international and interstate capacity to airports servicing NSW
  • Support sustainable route development aligned with market demand
  • Enhance NSW’s competitiveness in the global aviation market
  • Drive economic benefits through increased visitation and visitor expenditure.

Funding scope

  • Route establishment or expansion in the form of passenger subsidies for a period of up to two years
  • Cooperative inbound marketing and promotional activities aligned with the NSW Aviation Marketing Toolkit for a period of up to two years.

Applications are now open and will be assessed against the eligibility and assessment criteria.

View the grant guidelines here and further information in relation to the application can be found on the NSW Government Grants Finder website.

The fund will be open until 17 December 2025.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • NSW Airports seeking new or expanded incremental services to the state.
  • Routes serving the NSW priority markets of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK, Germany, France, USA, New Zealand, Canada, Vietnam and Interstate.
  • For new routes, there must be a minimum of 3 weekly services.
  • The additional capacity must commence prior to 30 June 2027.
  • Applicants are required to match with cash the level of funding requested.

Who can apply

  • NSW Airports seeking new or expanded incremental services to the state.

What your application needs to include

Applicants must provide:

  • Level of funding requested (noting this must be matched by the applicant in cash)
  • Intended route they are applying for
  • The number of new/additional weekly frequencies of this route
  • The proposed plane type and number of seats
  • The timing of when the new/additional capacity would commence
  • Monthly seat and passenger forecast.

This data can all be provided in the Data Provision Template which is mandatory and must be submitted with your application.

How to apply

  • Complete the Data Provision Template, this form is mandatory and must be submitted with your application.
  • Submit your completed application and Data Provision Template by email to aviation.funding@dnsw.com.au by the closing date.
  • Start their application early during the application period to ensure they are completed in sufficient time before the closing date. Destination NSW is not responsible for delays to the submission of applications caused by technology, connection or other issues outside of its control.

Support and contact

For any questions regarding the NSW Take-Off Fund Grant Program please contact the Destination NSW Aviation Team via email at aviation.funding@dnsw.com.au