Access Project Grant

The $5 million Accessible Tourism Elevate Fund will support the Queensland tourism industry to elevate the accessible tourism experience.

The Fund is an initiative under the 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism.

The Accessible Tourism Elevate Fund provides two grants – the Access Project Grant and the Access Starter Grant - to enable eligible applicants to apply for what they need, depending on where they are in their accessibility journey.

The Access Project Grant will support eligible Queensland tourism operators, not-for-profit organisations and local governments who have already identified accessibility improvements within their organisation and are ready to implement change.

Grant funding of between $50 000 and $250 000 (excluding GST) will support the implementation of best practice accessibility projects that are co-designed with people with disability and deliver tangible, high-impact accessibility improvements.

No matched funding required, however priority may be given to applications demonstrating co-investment by the applicant.

The types of projects that may be considered include (but are not limited to):

Priority	Activity Examples
Access improvements (where those upgrades are not an existing mandatory legislative or planning requirement for the existing infrastructure)	Accessibility upgrades to bathrooms, entryways, pathways Stair lifts Hoists
Accessible transport	Modification or purchase of purpose-designed accessible vehicles, vessels, pontoons or other transportation
Adaptive equipment and technology	All terrain wheelchairs and mountain trikes and trail riders Aquatic/beach access wheelchairs Access matting Augmented reality, virtual reality or extended reality to improve accessibility Assistive listening devices technology incorporated into speakers/sound systems Sensor/voice/movement-controlled technology Accessible paddling equipment (universal paddling seat, outriggers, kayaks, transfer benches, adaptive paddles, stand-up paddle boards)
Communication, signage and digital accessibility	Accessible audio description and sensory audio guides Braille descriptions, signage, Easy English picture communication symbols, stories Interpretative and/or interactive tourism signage Improvements to websites, traditional and digital marketing materials to be more accessible and/or showcase accessibility information
Sensory-friendly spaces and resources	Creation of sensory-friendly spaces including resources Development of sensory maps and stories

Projects should align with the Queensland’s Disability Plan and Towards Tourism 2032.

The Accessible Tourism Toolkit provides a range of resources and links that may assist in the development of an application.

Eligible applicants may apply for both the Access Project Grant and the Access Starter Grant however it must be for different projects.

Read the Access Project Grant guidelines to learn more about the grant.

Applying for funding

Applications are managed through the SmartyGrants portal.

Key Dates

Activity	Date
Applications open	26 October 2023
Applications close	11:59pm, 21 December 2023
Outcome of applications advised	February/ March 2024
Project completion date	By 30 June 2025

Please note these dates are indicative only and may be subject to change.

Please visit this webpage again for further updates.