Grants up to $100,000 to fund caravan park infrastructure improvements that will increase visitor numbers and enhance their experiences, including accessibility and environmental sustainability improvements.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
- An overview of the CPGP
- Every detail you need to know
- Resources and help to get the grant
What is the Caravan Parks Grant Program (CPGP)?
The Caravan Parks Grant Program (CPGP) provides funding for caravan parks to swiftly upgrade or create new infrastructure and visitor facilities to boost visitor numbers and enhance visitor experiences, including improvements to accessibility and environmental sustainability practices.
The CPGP aligns with Austradeโs work on improving visitor infrastructure, identified as Priority 5 in its THRIVE 2030 strategy, and will provide a total of $10 million in funding to support upgrades to caravan parks.
Applications are open to eligible operators of privately-owned caravan parks in Australia with 40 or more powered sites used for short-term visitor accommodation.
CPGP level of support
Grant
- $10,000 to $100,000
- Maximum 50% of total eligible costs for caravan parks with an annual turnover of less than $10 million
- Maximum one-third of total eligible costs for caravan parks with an annual turnover of $10 million or more
- Limit of one grant per caravan park
- Up to $300,000 per applicant for entities owning or operating more than one eligible park (subject to a limit of one grant per park and up to $100,000 each)
Co-contribution
- Minimum 50% of total eligible costs of total eligible costs for caravan parks with an annual turnover of less than $10 million
- Minimum two-thirds of total eligible costs for caravan parks with an annual turnover of $10 million or more
- Excludes the use of any other Commonwealth, state or territory or local government grants
CPGP important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
CPGP important details that you will need to know
CPGP objective
The intended outcomes of the program are to:
- increase the number of visitors seeking caravan park accommodation at a destination
- increase a destinationโs attractiveness or capacity to meet visitor needs through new and improved infrastructure and facilities at local caravan parks
- increase the capacity and improve the quality of caravan park infrastructure and facilities for visitors at a destination
Organisations eligible for CPGP support
Eligible applicants must:
- hold an ABN
- be a legal entity that operates a caravan park within Australia with 40 or more powered sites used for short-term visitor accommodation. (Powered sites refer to caravan or camping sites and cabins. Permanent accommodation or long-term sites do not count towards this number)
- be solvent
- have an account with an Australian financial institution that is located within Australian territorial boundaries
- hold public liability insurance and other relevant insurance to cover the project
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- a Commonwealth, state, territory or local government agency or body
- an individual or sole trader
- a partnership
- an unincorporated association
- a trust (however, a trustee who is an Australian person or entity incorporated in Australia (with a valid ACN) may apply on behalf of a trust)
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible applicants.
Projects eligible for CPGP support
Projects must be new infrastructure and/or assets or upgrades to existing infrastructure and/or assets. Projects must focus primarily on direct benefit towards short-term visitor accommodation and/or facilities.
For multi-site applications, grants can be for a similar project at each caravan park or different projects and different grant amounts at each caravan park.
Activities eligible for CPGP support
Eligible activities could include:
- developing new caravan/camping sites
- increasing the number of powered sites
- installing new cabins or substantial renovations of existing cabins
- installing new or upgraded recreational facilities
- installing new or upgraded visitor amenities
- upgrading sites, cabins or amenities to make them more accessible, environmentally friendly or reduced carbon impact
Ineligible activities include:
- administration costs
- costs incurred prior to a grant agreement being executed
- costs of purchasing, leasing or depreciation of land
- IT assets, IT software, office furniture or equipment
- loans, debt financing, financing cost, including interest and bank fees
- maintenance or general repair costs
- marketing or promotional advertising costs
- projects funded by or better suited to other Commonwealth or state/territory grant programs
- routine or business as usual operational expenses
- site preparation activities which are not directly related to, or for, the main purpose of the project
- staff accommodation
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible activities.
Information to prepare for the CPGP application
The following documents must be included with your application:
- Evidence of matching cash through either:
- bank statement in your name showing the matching cash amount
- signed letter from the business owner, financial controller/manager or accountant confirming that the matching cash is available
- Evidence of your site(s) composition or layout showing 40 or more powered sites used for short-term visitor accommodation
- If you own or operate multiple parks and are applying for multiple grants you must provide the ownership structure of your organisation, clearly showing how the caravan parks fit into the structure
- A copy of your current Public Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency for the caravan park(s)
- A project budget including the main costs and what the grant funding and matching cash will be used for. (Optional template available from Austradeโs website)
- Evidence that your project will be ready to begin early 2023 and can be completed by 15 May 2024, which can include
- statements from suppliers
- detailed project plans
- For eligible trustees a copy of the trust deed that confirms that the trustee has the power to enter into a contract on behalf of the applicant
Optional documents (maximum 5) to support your answer to assessment criterion 2 could include:
- relevant development or other government approvals.
- building plans, designs/drawings, quotes or estimates from contractors
- risk assessment or risk mitigation plan. (Sample risk assessment template available from Austradeโs website)
The amount of detail and evidence provided should be relative to the size of your project.
See the application form for full details of information requirements.
Applying for CPGP
Applications are submitted via the SmartyGrants portal.
Applicants must submit a separate application for each caravan park.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
CPGP assessment criteria
| Ref | Criteria | Weighting |
| 1 | Project alignment with Program objectives and outcomes – increase in short-term visitors – improves facilities to meet visitor needs and increases destinationโs attractiveness – any evidence to support demand for project | 40% |
| 2 | Capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project – track record in managing similar projects – risk management – capacity to deliver on time | 30% |
| 3 | Project alignment with THRIVE 2030 and your commitment to the visitor economy – increase quality of asset/infrastructure, accessibility and sustainability -demonstrated commitment to the visitor economy, for example participation in quality assurance frameworks, engagement with industry associations, event attendance | 30% |
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
CPGP resources
- Source
- Guidelines
- Apply
- THRIVE 2030
- Sample application form
- Sample project budget template
- Sample project risk management template
How do I get CPGP?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- realistic outcomes and any supporting evidence the project will meet the program objectives of improving caravan park facilities and increasing visitor numbers and enhancing their experiences
- a clear and realistic timeline for a project that can commence quickly and factors in potential delays and risks to timely completion
- a track record of success in managing similar projects and a commitment to the visitor economy
- the capacity, capability and resources to successfully deliver the project within the agreed timeline
I need help applying for grants
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