Apply for Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (Australia)

The Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) provides grants of up to $300,000 (GST exclusive) per project to support innovative and sustainable tourism infrastructure across regional Queensland. The fund aims to improve visitor experiences, increase tourism expenditure and visitor numbers, encourage longer stays, and strengthen regional economic development.

What Is the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund?

The Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund is a Queensland Government initiative supporting the development and improvement of tourism infrastructure across regional Queensland.

The program is intended to help Queensland remain an attractive and competitive destination for domestic and international visitors by investing in infrastructure that creates compelling visitor experiences.

RTIF supports projects that can deliver measurable tourism and economic benefits, particularly through:

Creating new tourism infrastructure and experiences.
Improving existing tourism facilities and visitor experiences.
Increasing visitor numbers and expenditure.
Encouraging visitors to stay longer.
Dispersing tourists across regional Queensland.
Supporting sustainable tourism development.
Strengthening regional economies and communities.
Improving Queensland’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.

The fund aligns with the Queensland Government’s Destination 2045 strategy and its long-term vision for sustainable tourism growth.

Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund Grant Amount

Eligible projects can receive up to $300,000 GST exclusive.

The grant is intended for projects that demonstrate a strong connection to RTIF’s tourism objectives and have the potential to generate meaningful visitor and economic outcomes.

Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed infrastructure investment will contribute to tourism growth rather than simply provide general business improvements.

What Projects Can RTIF Support?

The fund is designed for tourism infrastructure and visitor experience projects that provide clear benefits to Queensland’s regional tourism industry.

Potential projects may include infrastructure that:

Creates or improves visitor attractions.
Enhances tourism experiences.
Improves facilities used by visitors.
Encourages tourists to extend their stay.
Increases visitor spending in regional communities.
Helps attract new domestic or international visitors.
Supports tourism dispersal to regional destinations.
Contributes to sustainable and innovative tourism development.

The strongest proposals are likely to demonstrate a clear connection between the infrastructure investment and measurable tourism outcomes.

Why Does the Fund Matter?

Tourism infrastructure plays an important role in attracting visitors and encouraging them to spend more time and money in regional destinations.

RTIF is intended to help address this by supporting infrastructure that can create stronger visitor experiences while generating longer-term economic benefits.

The program can help regional Queensland:

Strengthen its tourism offering.
Develop new visitor experiences.
Increase tourism-related employment and economic activity.
Encourage investment in regional destinations.
Improve the competitiveness of Queensland’s tourism sector.
Support sustainable growth in regional communities.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants can include a range of tourism businesses, organisations and public-sector entities operating in Queensland.

Applicants include:

Established tourism operators in Queensland that have been operating for more than 12 months.
New tourism operators that can demonstrate active establishment of tourism operations in Queensland and significant tourism benefits.
Tourism operators or businesses from other Australian jurisdictions that are establishing tourism operations in Queensland and can demonstrate significant tourism benefits.
Local government authorities.
Not-for-profit organisations.

Applicants must also:

Hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
Be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Demonstrate that the proposed project is connected to tourism.
Show how the project will contribute to RTIF objectives.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, applicants should ensure that their organisation and project meet the basic program requirements.

The applicant should be able to demonstrate:

A legitimate tourism-related operation or role in Queensland.
The capacity to deliver the proposed infrastructure project.
A clear tourism rationale for the investment.
Significant benefits for visitors and the regional economy.
Alignment with Queensland’s tourism priorities.
A sustainable approach to tourism infrastructure development.

For new or interstate operators, establishing a clear case for their Queensland operations and expected tourism benefits is particularly important.

How to Apply for the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund

Applicants should develop their proposal around the tourism outcomes that RTIF is designed to achieve.

Step 1: Confirm Applicant Eligibility

Check that your organisation falls within an eligible applicant category and has the required ABN and GST registration.

New operators and businesses establishing operations in Queensland should also prepare evidence demonstrating their active establishment and expected tourism benefits.

Step 2: Define the Tourism Infrastructure Project

Clearly describe what infrastructure or visitor experience will be developed or improved.

Explain:

What will be delivered.
Where the project will take place.
Who will use the infrastructure.
Why the investment is needed.
How the project will improve the visitor experience.

Step 3: Demonstrate Tourism and Economic Benefits

Explain how the project will contribute to Queensland’s tourism industry.

Where possible, provide measurable outcomes relating to:

Visitor numbers.
Visitor expenditure.
Length of visitor stays.
New or improved tourism experiences.
Regional economic activity.
Tourism dispersal.
Employment or business opportunities.

Step 4: Demonstrate Sustainability

Explain how the project will contribute to sustainable tourism.

Applicants should consider how the infrastructure can provide long-term benefits without creating unnecessary environmental or economic pressures.

Step 5: Prepare the Application

Ensure the application provides a clear connection between the proposed investment and RTIF objectives.

Supporting information should demonstrate the applicant’s organisational capacity, project readiness, tourism rationale and expected outcomes.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Submit the completed application and required supporting information through the relevant Queensland Government application process before the applicable closing date.

What Makes a Strong RTIF Application?

A competitive application should do more than describe an infrastructure project. It should clearly demonstrate why the investment matters to Queensland tourism.

Strong proposals should:

Clearly define the tourism problem or opportunity.
Explain the proposed infrastructure solution.
Demonstrate measurable visitor benefits.
Show potential increases in visitor expenditure or numbers.
Explain how the project can encourage longer stays.
Demonstrate regional economic benefits.
Align with Destination 2045 objectives.
Address sustainability.
Demonstrate realistic project planning and delivery capability.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid presenting the project as a general business improvement without establishing its tourism value.

Common weaknesses can include:

Failing to explain the project’s tourism impact.
Providing limited evidence of expected visitor benefits.
Not demonstrating regional economic value.
Focusing only on the applicant’s business rather than broader tourism outcomes.
Providing unrealistic project expectations.
Ignoring sustainability considerations.
Failing to establish eligibility requirements such as ABN and GST registration.
Submitting insufficient evidence of the applicant’s ability to deliver the project.

Key Facts About the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund

Program: Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF)
Location: Queensland, Australia
Maximum grant: Up to $300,000 GST exclusive per project
Purpose: Tourism infrastructure and visitor experience development
Target beneficiaries: Regional tourism destinations, visitors, tourism businesses and local communities
Eligible applicants: Tourism operators, businesses, local governments and eligible not-for-profit organisations
Business requirement: Valid Australian Business Number (ABN)
Tax requirement: GST registration
Strategic alignment: Queensland’s Destination 2045 tourism strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund?

The Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund is a Queensland Government grant program that supports innovative and sustainable tourism infrastructure projects designed to improve visitor experiences and strengthen regional tourism.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Eligible projects can receive up to $300,000 GST exclusive per project.

Who can apply for RTIF?

Eligible applicants include established Queensland tourism operators, new or interstate operators establishing tourism operations in Queensland, local government authorities, tourism businesses and eligible not-for-profit organisations.

Can a new tourism operator apply?

Yes. New operators may be eligible if they can demonstrate that they are actively establishing tourism operations in Queensland and that their project will deliver significant tourism benefits.

What type of projects does RTIF support?

The fund supports tourism infrastructure and visitor experience projects that can increase visitor numbers or expenditure, encourage longer stays, improve visitor experiences and strengthen tourism across regional Queensland.

Does the applicant need an ABN?

Yes. Applicants must hold a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST.

How should applicants demonstrate the value of their project?

Applicants should explain how the project will improve the visitor experience and provide measurable tourism and economic benefits, such as increased visitation, visitor spending, longer stays, tourism dispersal and regional economic activity.

Conclusion

The Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund provides an opportunity for eligible Queensland tourism operators, businesses, local governments and not-for-profit organisations to invest in infrastructure that strengthens regional tourism.

With grants of up to $300,000 per project, the program is particularly relevant to projects that can demonstrate strong visitor benefits, increased tourism expenditure, longer visitor stays, sustainable development and broader regional economic value. Applicants should build their proposals around clear, measurable tourism outcomes and demonstrate strong alignment with Queensland’s long-term Destination 2045 tourism strategy.