#55 Federal Black Spot program summary

The Australian Government’s Black Spot Program provides funding for road infrastructure and related treatments at sites with a demonstrably high risk of serious crashes. Two main types of projects are covered under the program, including reactive and proactive projects.

Reactive projects target sites with a known history of serious crashes, while proactive projects target sites where high risk is identified through a Road Safety Audit (or other risk assessment methodology). While reactive projects may attract the majority of program funding, it is intended that a minimum of 30% of funds support proactive projects. Amounts of up to $3 million per project may be awarded under the program, with $150 million currently allocated to the program in total.

Typical types of projects funded under the program include:

• Intersection Controls: Installing traffic signals, roundabouts, or pedestrian facilities.

• Roadside Safety: Installing safety barriers (including motorcycle underrun protection and guardrails).

• Visibility & Delineation: Improving line marking, audio-tactile line marking (ATLM), installing guideposts, and street lighting.

• Surface Improvements: High-friction sealing or shoulder sealing to improve grip and reduce run-off-road risks.

Funding criteria

For reactive projects based on crash history, basic criteria for funding stipulate that sites have a history of three or more casualty crashes over a 5-year period for urban sites, or two or more crashes at rural sites. Road section lengths of >3km should demonstrate an average of at least 0.2 casualty crashes per km/year (Urban) or 0.13 (Rural).

For proactive projects based on risk assessment, sites without a crash history are eligible if they include a Road Safety Audit or Safe Systems Assessment to prove high risk. Both types of projects should demonstrate a positive Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR).

Snapshot of recently funded projects

Nationally, 285 projects were funded under the program for the 2025-26 period. The smallest amount funded was for a ‘raised threshold’ treatment in Caringbah, NSW ($15,180), while the largest was for ‘shoulder sealing, delineation, signage and audio tactile line marking’ in Finniss, SA ($2,571,000).

Table 1: Summary of Black Spot projects funded for 2025-26

Submissions can be made year-round, but jurisdictions have specific timelines and applications close between July and November for projects to be included in the following financial year.

To support the securing of Federal Black Spot funding, Road Solutions assists councils and road authorities in identifying eligible sites, conducting Road Safety Audits and Safe System Assessments, and preparing and submitting applications.