The Regional Event Fund identifies and supports events in regional NSW that have the potential to act as a ‘cornerstone’ or flagship tourism event for their area by attracting overnight visitation and delivering long term benefits to the region.
Since it was established in 1996, the Fund has supported more than 440 individual events across regional NSW.
Applications for the 2023/24 Regional Event Fund will open on Thursday, 2 March 2023 for events held between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Grants are available through the three streams listed below.
Eligibility and assessment criteria for each of the three streams is detailed in their respective Terms and Conditions. Applicants should read the Terms and Conditions before applying to ensure they apply under the correct stream and that they meet the requirements.
Incubator Event Stream
The Incubator Event stream offers seed funding to eligible events in regional NSW to support their first or second year of activity.
Grants of up to $20,000 (ex GST) are available to support activities that are likely to establish an event as a driver of visitation from outside the Local Government Area.
See the Terms and Conditions for full details. Applicants should read the terms and conditions prior to applying to ensure they meet the criteria.
Applications for the 2023/24 Incubator Event stream have now closed.
Flagship Event Stream
The Flagship Event stream supports marketing activities for existing events in regional NSW that have been running for more than two years to increase their profile and encourage visitation.
Annual grants of $20,000 (ex GST) or triennial grants of $30,000 (ex GST) per year for three years are available for eligible events to support marketing activities that encourage overnight visitation from outside the events Local Government Area.
See Terms and Conditions for full details. Applicants should read the Terms and Conditions prior to applying to ensure they meet the criteria.
Applications for the 2023/24 Flagship Event stream have now closed.
Event Development Stream
The Event Development stream supports the growth of existing events that demonstrate a clear strategic rationale for the continued development of its tourism potential.
Grants of up to $50,000 (ex GST) are available to eligible events that have previously received triennial funding through the Flagship Event stream to support initiatives that have a direct impact on increasing overnight visitation from outside the events Local Government Area.
See Terms and Conditions for full details. Applicants should read the terms and conditions prior to applying to ensure they meet the criteria.
Applications for the 2023/24 Event Development stream will open on Thursday, 2 March 2023 and will remain open on an ongoing basis or until such time as the Fund is exhausted.
Applications to the Event Development stream must be received by Destination NSW in sufficient time prior to the next event to allow for assessment and delivery of initiatives for which funding has been requested.
For further information on the 2023/24 Regional Event Fund and application process contact:
Regional Event Fund Coordinator
Tel: 0419 903 701
Email: ref.admin@dnsw.com.au
Fairgrounds Festival 2019. Photo credit: Ian Laidlaw
Previous funding recipients
Flagship Event Fund 2019 | Flagship Event Fund 2018 | Flagship Event Fund 2017
Incubator Event Fund 2019 | Incubator Event Fund 2018 | Incubator Event Fund 2017
Event Development Fund 2019 | Event Development Fund 2018
Other support
Event Photography Guidelines and sample brief (PDF 985 kb)
Advice on how to get the best images possible to promote your event.
