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Another twenty-eight regional community groups from around Australia will benefit from a share of $2 million as part of the Qantas’ Regional Grants program.

Now in its third year, the grants have supported 80 not-for-profit groups and projects across regional Australia giving $5 million in grants since it launched in 2019.

The successful recipients were selected from more than 1,700 applications and will receive a combination of cash, free flights and marketing support, depending on the needs of the organisation.

The majority of applications were submitted from organisations based in New South Wales and Queensland, with applications from Health and Wellbeing groups up 10 per cent compared to last year.

Recipients include:

• Story Dogs (NSW)

To fly volunteer coordinators to the 2024 Story Dogs leadership conference in Tweed Heads.

• Deadly Hair Dude (NT)

To provide free haircuts to vulnerable First Nations people across the Darwin region.

• WE CARE 2 INC. (QLD)

To purchase a tow vehicle for the Sunshine Van, a mobile service in Hervey Bay that provides hot showers, clothes washing and phone charging facilities for the disadvantaged and homeless.

• GP Lyf Hacks (SA)

To fund four health forums in South Australia for nursing and ambulance staff.

• GreenSTEM Education (TAS)

To purchase and fit out a custom trailer to transport STEM resources to young Australians in regional areas.

• Feed the Little Children Inc. (WA)

To help purchase a new vehicle for meal runs and the Full Bellies Outreach program.

• Very Special Kids (VIC)

To provide a free, safe, and reliable transport service for children and young people from regional Victoria to the Very Special Kids Hospice in Melbourne.

QantasLink Chief Pilot and panel chair Captain David Nelson said the quality of applications for the program is getting stronger every year.

“Supporting the regions we serve is something we take great pride in at Qantas,” Mr Nelson said.

“Our turboprops fly more than 3.5 million people around regional Australia every year which is more than double our A380s – so giving back to the communities that continue to support us is a vital part of our role as the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Carrier.

“We had another record number applications from community groups seeking much needed funding and our panellists had a tough job to do in selecting the final twenty-eight recipients.

“There are so many innovative projects and local not for profit groups doing great work around the country, and every organisation that applied this year had their own incredible stories to tell of the work they are doing to support their communities.

“We encourage any groups that weren’t successful this year to apply again next year when applications open in February next year.”

Qantas is Australia’s largest regional airline, connecting more than 57 regional communities with capital cities.

The Qantas Regional Grants Program complements a broader range of initiatives the airline provides regional Australians, including year-round discounts for residents in 16 regional and remote towns to make air travel more accessible.

The judging panel also included two independent community panellists and two QantasLink team members. The panel was tasked with allocating grant funds based on the strength of each application against the criteria.

Applications for the 2025 Regional Grants Program will open on 21 February 2025 at .

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Full list of recipients can be found below and .