- Community-based organisations across WA are
invited to apply for the Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP) grants with
$9.1 million available
- DAEP has helped over 600 disadvantaged community
members through the driver's licence journey
- The program will expand into
the Great Southern and South West regions for the first time
Grants for the Driving Access and Equity Program (DAEP)
are now open across Western Australia, with community-based organisations
encouraged to apply for $9.1 million in funding.
The
DAEP supports local organisations to address some of the barriers preventing
disadvantaged people from obtaining their driver's licence, including limited
access to appropriately licensed vehicles, driving supervisors and instructors,
and licensing services.
Over $6.1
million in grants are earmarked in round 5 of the DAEP for the Gascoyne,
Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Mid West and Pilbara, and, for the first time,
$3 million for the Great Southern and South West regions, allowing more people
to access the program.
Since
DAEP's inception in 2021, over 600 community members have secured their
driver's licence and nearly 130 have gone on to secure employment.
The
program has also expanded into multiple other regions across the State, and recently
announced funding for a new metro pilot partnership with the McGovern
Foundation for the next two years.
Alongside
this partnership with the McGovern Foundation, DAEP will also look to provide
services to Peel and the Wheatbelt, to continue to meet demand.
Community
organisations are invited to apply for the DAEP grants, with applications
closing Friday, 16 August 2024.
For more information or to apply, please
visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/daep
Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're really proud to
continue supporting this amazing program that's helping to change the lives of hundreds
of people across the State.
"We know there are unique
barriers people in our community can face when getting their driver's licence,
like accessing a safe vehicle, having someone to assist with driver training or
obtaining the required identity documents.
"By supporting these
community members to get their driver's licence, we're helping to not only
unlock major employment, training and education opportunities, but also
supporting their independence and improving access to healthcare and other
essential services.
"We continue to see the
incredible results this program achieves, with over 600 people supported to get
their driver's licence through the program so far, and 129 of these people
going on to secure employment.
"We're very excited to
roll this out to the Great Southern and South West, and encourage community
organisations in these regions to apply."
Comments attributed to Acting Regional Development Minister Dr Tony
Buti:
"The DAEP
grants are fantastic in supporting local community members with licensing
requirements, and continue to help achieve meaningful outcomes for people
across the State.
"The
program is already achieving great outcomes in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Mid
West, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions - with 626 regional people supported
to access a driver's licence through the program.
"We
are excited to see DAEP expand to the Great Southern and South West for the
first time, with $3 million in grants available for community-based
organisations in these regions."
