Your boating licence and registration fees are being reinvested to provide improved access and navigation for boaters. The 2025-26 Recreational Boating Dredging and Access Program will support boat ramp asset managers to dredge boating facilities to ensure safe navigable access
Grants of up to $110,000 will support organisations that manage public boat ramps across Victoria to dredge existing facilities so that recreational boating is more accessible at a greater range of tides.
Last year’s program saw six organisations receive funding for dredging projects to improve access across coastal Victoria from Tootgarook and Clifton Springs in Port Phillip Bay all the way across to Mallacoota in the state’s far east.
Projects may include dredging work to improve access at boat ramps or via channels, pre-dredging surveys and long-to-medium-term planning to address ongoing dredging needs.
Applications are now open to eligible organisations for the latest round of grants. This is made possible thanks to the reinvestment of boating licence and vessel registration fees through the Better Boating Fund. In the 2025-26 round of grants, a total of $500,000 in funding is available.
The grants will be overseen by the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Better Boating division, which is progressing the state’s biggest ever boat ramp construction program and ensuring launching and parking remains free at all of Victoria’s public ramps.
A Funding Advisory Panel consisting of government and industry stakeholders will assess the grant applications received against the funding assessment criteria and provide recommendations to the Minister for Outdoor Recreation.
Eligible organisations consist of local councils, committees of management, catchment management authorities, water corporations and state government bodies.
An eligible organisation may submit multiple applications for consideration. To apply, please head to our SmartyGrants portal: https://FisheriesVictoria.smartygrants.com.au/25-26-RecreationalDredgingAccessGrants
Full funding guidelines can be accessed via this link.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 12 June 2026.
For further information please contact the team at Better Boating Victoria – BBV.Communications@vfa.vic.gov.au
We’re committed to improving the boating experience across Victoria.
View Ramp Upgrades