Country Shows Support Package Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the frequently asked questions for the Country Shows Support Package.
As part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, $5 million has been committed to the 2022 Country Shows Support Package. By supporting the cost of delivering agricultural shows, the 2022 Country Shows Support Package ensures events can continue with increased funding certainty and provides a much-needed boost to local businesses and economies.
The 2022 Country Shows Support Package is administered by the Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW).
Funding is available for NSW Show Organising Committees recognised by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW Ltd.
View the full list of eligible NSW Show Organising Committees in the program guidelines.
Other requirements:
- applications are limited to one 2022 Country Show Support Package grant request per show
- funding is available only for shows (including combined shows) planned for 2022
- applications for funding must be submitted before the 2022 show has taken place. Applications submitted after the show has been held are ineligible
- applicants must have current Public Liability Insurance cover for a minimum of $5 million
- shows that have received other NSW Government funding for 2022 are not eligible.
Applications for the 2022 Country Shows Support Package close at 5pm on Friday, 29 April 2022 (AEST).
Applicants can complete and submit an application online using the Smartygrants portal.
Information required includes:
- show name and contact details
- selected funding tier and requested grant amount (funding amounts are based on show size)
- statutory declaration confirming the attendance figures for the selected show year between 2018 and 2021 on which show size is based. The statutory declaration must be signed by an authorised representative of the applicant and witnessed by an authorised witness. A list of authorised witnesses can be found here.
- an itemised breakdown of the proposed activities, goods or services to be funded
- a copy of the Show’s Public Liability Insurance
- an invoice for the requested grant amount.
Applications will usually be assessed within 10 business days of submitting a complete application, unless otherwise advised. Once an application is approved, applicants will receive an email notification.
The 2022 Country Shows Support Package is available only for shows planned for the 2022 calendar year.
Funding amounts depend on the size of the show. Show size is determined by total attendance across all event days. To determine show size for an application, organising committees should identify the show with the highest attendance figures held between 2018 and 2021.
| Show size | Maximum grant amount |
|---|---|
| Small shows (up to 1,999 attendees) | $15,000 |
| Medium shows (2,000 to 4,999 attendees) | $30,000 |
| Large shows (5,000 attendees and over) | $45,000 |
When determining attendance figures, please apply the same method of calculation you usually use. For example, if you usually include volunteers and stallholders in your attendee figures, they should be included in the attendance figure in your application.
Eligible costs include:
- development, review or update of COVID-19 Safety Plans
- costs related to implementation of COVID-19 Safety Plans (e.g. purchasing equipment and supplies, or security services)
- subsidised stall fees for locally-based community organisations and local businesses
- locally-incurred expenses (e.g. hiring equipment and other services)
- marketing and promotion material for the show (using local suppliers only)
- costs associated with supporting locally-based arts, culture and musical offerings
- contributions to awards and prizes for competitions
- costs to support show exhibits and events
- upgrades or maintenance to facilities that are deemed critical for the show.
Other expenses may be considered if it can be demonstrated the expenditure will be incurred locally. The majority of funding is to be allocated towards locally-incurred expenditure.
Refer to the program guidelines (PDF 971.91KB) for all other eligibility requirements including eligible costs.
Ineligible costs include but are not limited to:
- fees and charges that are already covered by other sources or contributors
- subsidised stall fees for non-local businesses (e.g. showbag stalls or rides from outside the local area)
- significant non-local based overheads and expenses (e.g. insurance premiums)
- rent or hire fees for showgrounds and/or facilities
- activities associated with alcohol consumption or gambling
- wages and associated costs (including superannuation) and bonuses
- retrospective costs incurred before an application is submitted.
Refer to the program guidelines (PDF 971.91KB) for all other eligibility requirements including ineligible costs.
Yes, these costs may be eligible as:
- costs related to implementation of COVID-19 Safety Plans (e.g. purchasing equipment and supplies, or security services)
- locally-incurred expenses (e.g. hiring equipment and other services).
Successful applicants will receive a notification via email.
Refer to the program guidelines (PDF 971.91KB) for more information.
Yes. Eligible shows that are combining with other shows from the surrounding area may be granted a higher amount (than table 1 below) if requested. The decision will be at the discretion of the Department of Regional NSW.
Table 1: Show classification and funding available
| Show size | Maximum grant amount |
|---|---|
| Small shows (up to 1,999 attendees) | $15,000 |
| Medium shows (2,000 to 4,999 attendees) | $30,000 |
| Large shows (5,000 attendees and over) | $45,000 |
Yes. The program is open to applications from all NSW Show Organising Committees recognised by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW Ltd for shows held in 2022.
Shows that have received other NSW Government funding for 2022 are not eligible.
Recipients of 2019 Country Shows Sponsorship Packages with unexpended funding should prioritise submission of a request to vary the scope of their agreement to the Department of Regional NSW, before submitting an application to the 2022 Country Shows Support Package program for costs associated with the 2022 show.
For further information regarding submission of a request to vary the scope of a 2019 Country Shows Sponsorship Package, please contact the Department of Regional NSW on 1300 679 673 or email regionalnsw.business@regional.nsw.gov.au
To meet the ‘local’ requirement, applicants should focus on allocating grant funds to eligible costs that can be expended within their community or region.
At least 50% of the grant funding must be expended locally.
Upgrade refers to a renewal or restoration of existing infrastructure. Infrastructure upgrades are eligible if they are deemed critical for the show.
Maintenance refers to routine operational activities undertaken to sustain an existing asset in a functional state. Infrastructure maintenance is eligible if it is deemed critical for the show.
Organisations registered for GST:
When completing the breakdown of costs in the application form, figures for each cost item must exclude GST. You may claim costs up to the maximum grant amount allowed for your show size.
When submitting your tax invoice, please include the Total Costs/Funding requested from the application form, the applicable GST amount and the invoice total including GST.
Organisations not registered for GST:
When completing the breakdown of costs in the application form, figures for each cost item must reflect the total value (i.e. including any GST) you expect to pay for the goods and services. You may claim costs up to the maximum grant amount allowed for your show size.
When submitting your tax invoice, please ensure your invoice amount is the Total Costs/Funding requested from the application form and does not exceed the maximum grant allowed for your show size. Your invoice will be GST free. Invoices must state that you are ‘Not registered for GST.’
No co-contribution is required for the 2022 Country Shows Support Package.
Successful applicants should acknowledge financial support received from the 2022 Country Shows Support Package as per the NSW Government Funding Acknowledgement Guidelines.
Information and supporting resources are available at nsw.gov.au/countryshows.
An information webinar was held on Friday 17 December 2021. A recording can be found here.
The Agricultural Societies Council of NSW is available to provide advice to applicants in preparing applications. Email asc.admin@ascofnsw.org.au or call 1 800 025 387.
For further assistance, email regionalnsw.business@regional.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 679 673.
To acquit funds for eligible costs that are not invoiced to an external supplier (e.g. prize money), successful applicants will need to provide a letter from an office bearer of the show organising committee that attests to the amount of prize money provided and in which particular competitions across the show.
The JobSaver payment from Service NSW is not considered to be support from the NSW State Government for the 2022 Show. It will not impact the eligibility of your application to the Country Shows Support Package.
The Country Shows Support Package requires that you acquit the funding withing thirty days of your principal show date. We recommend that applicants apply for eligible costs related only to their principal show.
Shows that have received other NSW Government funding for their principal 2022 show event are not eligible.
If you have received NSW Government funding for a subsidiary event in 2022, you are still eligible for Country Shows Support Package funding. Applicants should be aware that fees and charges that are already covered by other sources or contributors are ineligible costs under the Country Shows Support Package.