- $1.75 million Spaceport Establishment Support (SES) grant launched to support commercial spaceport development in Western Australia
- Feasibility study to be undertaken to find best locations for spaceports in WA
- Rapid growth in the global space launch market presents a major opportunity for Western Australia
- Part of Cook Government's Made in WA strategy, helping to diversify the economy and create jobs in Western Australia
The Cook Government has unveiled a $1.75 million Spaceport Establishment Support (SES) grant to help commercial companies establish space launch facilities in Western Australia.
A feasibility study will also be carried out to identify the best locations to establish spaceports in the State.
This study will support spaceport operators to make commercial decisions on site selection and investment requirements.
These measures are part of the Cook Government's $2 million Made in WA 2025 election commitment with the aim in accelerating the development of local space industry capability.
The SES grant is designed to:
- support the scale-up and expansion of spaceport businesses in Western Australia;
- attract investment into the State; and
- increase local space industry capability.
A spaceport is a site equipped for launching, receiving, testing, or maintaining spacecraft and rockets.
With the global space launch services market exceeding US$15 billion and projected to grow 15 per cent per year, Western Australia has a significant opportunity to position itself as a leader in the international space sector.
The SES grant is a competitive co-investment fund managed by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.
It will open today, 16 February 2026, and close 15 May 2026. Funding may be awarded to one applicant or split across multiple applicants.
Applicants are required to provide a net cash co-contribution of at least 1:1, matched to WA Government funding, with a minimum grant request of $200,000.
The government's co-investment will support:
- site assessments required for planning and regulatory approvals, including securing a lease for the proposed spaceport site; and/or
- development of a business case for the proposed spaceport site.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-energy-and-economic-diversification/spaceport-establishment-support-grant
As stated by Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This grant and feasibility study positions Western Australia in capitalising on the rapidly growing global space sector and attract commercial spaceport investment to our State.
"By supporting early-stage planning and business case development, the Cook Government is helping companies take the next step toward establishing space launch facilities in Western Australia.
"This investment builds on our Made in WA commitment to strengthen local industry capability, create jobs, and diversify the State's economy."
