The NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund aims to support the social and economic recovery of our regions after the devastating effects of floods, drought, bushfires and COVID-19.
Applications are now closed.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Stream One funding Minimum $50,000 up to $200,000, Stream Two funding minimum $100,000, Stream Three funding Minimum $15,000 up to $100,000.
- Application opened: 18 March 2022
- Application closed: 4 October 2022
Program objective
Round 2
Regional NSW hosts a range of unique and world-class events attracting tens of thousands of metropolitan, interstate and international visitors each year.
Visitors not only spend money at these events, but at local businesses like cafes and restaurants, tourist attractions and accommodation, supporting the regional economy and creating new jobs. Hosting a major event can also position an area as an attractive destination to visit again, bringing visitors back to further explore the region and driving additional visitation through positive word of mouth.
The NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund aims to support the social and economic recovery of our regions after the devastating effects of drought, bushfires and COVID-19.
Major event enhancement (Stream One): funding minimum $50,000 up to $200,000
Major event attraction (Stream Two): funding minimum $100,000
Major event accessibility and inclusion (Stream Three): funding minimum $15,000 up to $100,000
This program is funded and administered by Department of Regional NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding under the Regional Events Acceleration Fund applicants must:
- be the event owner (i.e. own, or have secured the rights to the event and have the relevant approvals for the event)
- be financially solvent
- be a sole trader, company, incorporated association or trust entity
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- have a minimum of $20 million public liability insurance and other relevant insurance cover.
Applicants must also be one of the following entities:
- the event organiser or committee
- a Local Council or Joint Organisation of Councils
- a not-for-profit organisation, including business chambers, industry associations and charities
- a sporting body (i.e. NSW or National Associations)
- a Local Aboriginal Land Council. For-profit organisations may be considered eligible for funding only where projects will deliver a clear public benefit. A public/private partnership may seek funding where the lead applicant is an eligible entity.
Who can’t apply
Only events hosted in one or more regional NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs), on Lord Howe Island or in the Unincorporated Far West Region are eligible for funding through the Regional Events Acceleration Fund.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The types of events that are eligible for funding include:
major sporting and lifestyle events
major food and beverage events
major music, art and culture festivals.
Example projects
Specific examples of projects that can be funded under this grant:
Sporting tournaments
Music festivals
What can’t you apply for
Events ineligible for funding through the Regional Events Acceleration Fund include:
regular community events such as markets, bazaars, sporting meets (i.e. home/away games, local tournaments), club gatherings (RSL, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce etc.), classes and workshops
agricultural/country shows and field days
charity funding events
regional racing carnivals (i.e. horse or greyhound racing) and events occurring as part of a regular schedule of racing
touring events and regular theatre programs
business events and conferences
events with religious ceremony or celebration as the principal focus (i.e. Easter or Christmas celebrations)
community public holiday celebrations (i.e. Australia Day or Anzac Day)
Australian or state/territory government owned and/or operated events.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Applications for funding through Streams One, Two and Three must meet the assessment criteria as outlined below.
Prepare your application with this checklist
Before you start your application, please read the guidelines (PDF 1.88MB).
Applicants must demonstrate that the event:
will take place in a regional NSW LGA, on Lord Howe Island or in the Unincorporated Far West Region
is regionally significant, as defined by evidence (i.e. through previous event ticket sales) or letters of support confirming the event is able to attract over 5,000 people. Events that will attract fewer than 5,000 people can demonstrate they are regionally significant by providing strong evidence of economic benefit through visitation and by providing letters of support
is able to stimulate the local economy by attracting visitors. A target of more than 30 per cent participation in the event from visitors is recommended, with a visitor defined as being someone who lives 50km or more from where the event is being held
has the support of the local council and the Destination Network and is aligned with the relevant Destination Management Plan.
Address the eligibility criteria
For-profit organisations may be considered eligible for funding only where projects will deliver a clear public benefit. A public/private partnership may seek funding where the lead applicant is an eligible entity. Section 355 Committees of Council are eligible to apply where they have written approval from council and where the council agrees to receive the funding on behalf of the Section 355 Committee.
Address the assessment criteria
Applicants must demonstrate they have:
- an event management plan with clear strategies for measuring and evaluating visitation and the visitor experience
- engaged with Destination NSW and the local tourism industry to deliver effective marketing and promotion for the event
- considered how the event can leave a positive legacy within regional NSW and provide benefit to the host community beyond the event itself
- given consideration and can demonstrate a long-term vision for the event so it can provide an ongoing benefit to the region, such as a commitment to be held over multiple years
- a well-structured and organised event management committee or external events company in place with access to operational and marketing expertise, and the ability to handle issues such as public liability and insurance matters
- a risk management plan that clearly outlines strategies and processes to mitigate risks
- sound financial management in place and can provide an event budget as part of the application
- sourced competitive quotes for services and equipment relevant to the funding
- considered scheduling the event in off-peak or shoulder periods and considered if the event will clash with other major events in the region.
Start the application
Applications are now closed.
After the application is submitted
The Regional Events Acceleration Fund Assessment Panel will review applications on an ongoing basis until 17 December 2022 or until the funding is fully committed. The application assessment process will take approximately six weeks from the time an application is received and event owners will be notified as soon as is practical following the assessment outcome. If the application assessment process is expected to exceed six weeks the applicant will be advised. During the assessment process the Department of Regional NSW may request additional information from the applicant. Advice may also be sought from other NSW Government agencies or other third parties (such as probity advisors) to assist with the assessment of projects. The Assessment Panel may also recommend part-funding of events where there is insufficient funding available for the whole event, where only a component of the project is considered suitable for funding or a lesser funding amount that what is requested is deemed more appropriate. Funding recommendations made by the Assessment Panel will be considered and approved by the Department of Regional NSW.