2026-27 Transitional Operational Funding Program

Program objective

The 2026-27 Transitional Operational Funding Program (the Program) has been developed in response to the revised delivery timeline of the Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) multi-year funding programs. The Program will provide support to organisations that were unsuccessful in applying for two-year funding for 2026–2027 but had previously received multi-year or annual funding for 2025 and would have expected to apply for two-year multi-year funding in 2026 to support activity in 2028–2029.

The Program will support the aims of the ACFP to strengthen NSW’s creative ecosystem, benefit diverse communities, and expand access to arts and culture across metropolitan, Western Sydney, and Regional NSW areas.

The purpose of the 2026-27 Transitional Operational Funding Program is to deliver on needs and opportunities for the NSW arts and cultural sector through targeted support. It provides the capacity to invest in organisations that meet the strategic objectives of the NSW Government and ACFP but due to the extension of the two-year program will be unable to apply for two-year funding in 2028.

The program will achieve this through supporting NSW arts and cultural organisations that:

• were unsuccessful in applications to the 2025 2-year multiyear program (2026-2027) but have previously received multiyear funding (2021-2025) or annual organisational funding for the calendar year of 2025
• benefit NSW community through arts and cultural activities
• align with NSW Government policy objectives to support First Nations cultural leadership, foster a thriving and sustainable creative sector, advocate for cultural value, and share Australian stories with wider audiences
• align with other ACFP objectives and NSW Government Priorities
• demonstrate effective, efficient and accountable use of public funds to maximise impact and value for money.

The intended outcomes of the Program are:

• the financial and operational stabilisation of eligible organisations
• that organisations are positioned to apply for the next round of competitive multiyear funding for activities from 1 January 2029
• the delivery of arts and cultural activity in 2027 and 2028 that may not have been possible without this organisational funding.

The Program will be administered in accordance with the NSW Grants Administration Guide.

The Program is funded and administered by Create NSW.

Image: Karim by James Elazzi National Theatre of Parramatta, (LtoR Alex Malone,Youssef Sabet) Credit Phil Erbacher

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

What your application needs to include

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: Executive Director, Create NSW

This grant program is targeted and competitive grant process. This means that eligible applicants can apply and must submit their application by a specified date. Eligible applications are then assessed on their comparative merits against nominated criteria and each other.

Assessments will be conducted by an assessment panel comprising representatives with relevant experience and skill, including two senior Create NSW representatives and two sector representatives chosen by Create NSW with requisite skills and experience.

Applications must be received no later than 2:00 PM on Tuesday 3 November 2026.

Eligibility assessment

All submitted applications are initially reviewed against the eligibility criteria. Eligibility assessments will be conducted by Create NSW staff.

If further information is required to determine the applicant’s or application’s eligibility, a request will be made to the applicant in writing before the eligibility assessment is completed. Where an application’s eligibility on one or more criteria remains uncertain, a final eligibility determination will be made by the Director, Program Development and Delivery and presented to the Executive Director, Create NSW for approval. 

If an application is deemed ineligible, applicants will be notified by email within 14 days of the round closing. 

Eligible applicants will proceed to the next stage of the assessment process.

Application assessment

All eligible applications that proceed to this stage will be assessed competitively against the assessment criteria.

Assessments will be conducted by an assessment panel comprising representatives with relevant experience and skill, including two senior Create NSW representatives and two sector representatives chosen by Create NSW with requisite skills and experience.

Assessors will score each application individually. Scores are then amalgamated and presented and discussed at an assessment meeting to determine their final recommendations.

They will consider the assessment criteria, geographic distribution, range, and scale of the initial recommendations. This may include prioritising applications and activities with outcomes that better meet the Program objectives or address and ensure equity and the best outcomes for NSW Government investment.

Due diligence and other checks

At any time during the assessment process, we may undertake due diligence or other checks on an application. This may include, but is not limited to:

• financial checks such as ASIC searches to confirm the financial status or financial viability of the applicant
• criminal checks
• internal conflict checks
• inviting you to provide additional information to support claims made in your application
• commissioning or completing research, analysis and modelling to support assessments
• contacting identified project participant organisations.

Recommendation and decision making

The assessment panel makes their recommendations to the decision maker, who is the Executive Director, Create NSW.

The Executive Director, Create NSW makes the final decision to determine successful grant recipients.

Where applicable, advice from a probity advisor may be considered in making the final decision.

The Department has the discretion to reject, refuse or cease assessment of an application at any time. 

Assessment process considerations

Applicants should note that: 

• The NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support.
• You are not guaranteed funding even if your application meets the published criteria.

Create NSW may, at its sole discretion and at any stage of the application process, do all or any of the following: 

• Require additional information from an applicant.
• May request applicants to provide clarification or additional information regarding the eligibility criteria.
• Change the scope of the requirements of these guidelines.
• Vary, amend (including by replacement), or terminate the application process. 
• Consider any non-conforming or late application.  Request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process. The purpose of clarifying information will be to resolve ambiguity – applicants will not be able to strengthen their application through this process.  

Create NSW may also use previously submitted applications and acquittal data to inform the decision making of this funding round.

Notification of application outcome

We will advise you of the outcome of your application in writing via email.

Applicants will be notified within 12 weeks of submitting an application.

If you are successful, we will advise you of any specific conditions attached to the grant. This could include a request to keep the grant confidential for a specified period due to an announcement being made by the NSW Government in relation to the grant.

Feedback on applications

Unsuccessful applicants can request a feedback meeting. Feedback meetings will be delivered by the Department online via Teams. To register for a feedback session please contact multiyear@create.nsw.gov.au

Publication of grants information 

The Grants Administration Guide (Guide) requires that certain information is published in relation to grants awarded no later than 45 calendar days after the grant agreement takes effect (see section 6.5 of the Guide and Appendix A to the Guide). This information is also open access information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), which must be made publicly available unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information.

In accordance with these requirements, relevant information about the grants awarded will be made available on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder within 45 days of the execution of the funding agreement.

All records in relation to this decision will be managed in accordance with the requirements of the State Records Act 1998.

Successful grant applications

Grant agreement

The NSW Government makes no funding or other commitment to the successful applicant until all parties have signed a grant agreement. You must not make financial commitments reliant on this grant until the grant agreement is signed and executed by all parties. 

We do not encourage amendments to the grant agreement template. However, where you cannot accept the terms and conditions in the template, you must notify the Department in writing of your proposed amendments to the template and qualify the reasons for your proposed amendments. We may or may not accept these proposed amendments at Our discretion.

The grant agreement can only be signed by authorised officers or delegates of your organisation.

All applicants must provide the contact details (email address, phone number, name, and position) of the relevant authorised signatories, or their delegates, in the application form.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their staff have the capacity and availability to understand, complete and sign documents, to carefully read the terms and conditions of their grant agreement, and for it to be signed by the correct authorised signatories. Important terms and conditions associated with the funding are attached to the grant agreement.

Create NSW may not issue a grant agreement and/or make payments until all outstanding Create NSW acquittals have been submitted.   

Additional Information

Successful applicants will be required to provide common reporting data as part of the pre-contracting process, forward plan and acquittal process. This information will assist Create NSW better evaluate the impact of the Program

The common reporting data includes:

• Number of new and existing works planned to be presented,
• attendance and participation,
• employment and volunteer headcount and areas of engagement,
• funds allocated to collaboration,
• number of activities by region

Grant payment

A correct invoice template may be provided with the grant agreement or payment may be made through a Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI). The grant will be paid to the nominated bank account only after the grant agreement has been executed by the relevant parties and any relevant milestone. Other payment/payments (if relevant) will be made: 

• upon the successful completion of milestones as set out in the grant agreement
• upon the receipt of correctly completed invoices
• within the specified timeframe set out in the grant agreement.

Variations to the grant agreement

Any variations to the funding agreement, including personnel, project scope or activities, location or timeframes outlined in the application form and Grant Guidelines must be submitted for approval from Create NSW. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of the grant offer.

Create NSW has the discretion to approve or reject any variation request from a grantee where the grant agreement has already been executed.

All requests for a variation must be submitted in writing to Create NSW. To request a variation, or if you are unsure if your enquiry qualifies as a variation, contact multiyear@create.nsw.gov.au

Unspent funds

All grant funds are required to be spent on the approved project, and any unspent funds must be returned to the Department in accordance with the funding agreement.

Indicative reporting and acquittal requirements

You must submit reports as set out in the grant agreement. We may provide templates for these reports in the funding agreement.

We will expect you to report on:

• progress against agreed project milestones and outcomes at 31 December 2027 and again at the end of the grant period
• contributions of participants directly related to the grant
• expenditure of the grant.

The scope of works and milestones submitted as part of your application will form the basis of project reporting requirements.

When you complete the grant activity you must submit a final report and an audited financial report for the Program. Final reports must:

• include details of your final progress achieved against the agreed project activities / identify if and how outcomes have been achieved
• include the agreed evidence as specified in the funding agreement
• identify the total eligible expenditure incurred
• be submitted within 90 business days of completion in the format provided in the funding agreement

Acknowledgement 

All recipients of NSW Government funding should acknowledge this financial support in accordance with the Funding Acknowledgement Guidelines for Recipients of NSW Government Rebates available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/branding/grants-and-funding-acknowledgement

You must seek our written consent prior to any significant public announcement, marketing, press announcements, or official launch in relation to the grant.

The NSW Government logo should be used on all materials related to grants provided to the funded activity. Whenever the logo is used, the publication must also acknowledge the NSW Government.

Evaluation 

The Department regularly evaluates its initiatives to determine the effectiveness of implementation and to examine the extent to which outcomes and objectives have been achieved. Evaluations are conducted and published in line with requirements from NSW Treasury and the NSW Grants Administration Guide.

We may use information from your application, grant activities and reports you have submitted for this purpose. We may also interview you or ask you for more information to help us understand your experience with the grant program, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in achieving its objective(s) and outcomes. All applicants, whether successful or unsuccessful, may be contacted to participate in interviews or surveys for evaluation purposes.  

You consent to the use of your information for this purpose by:

• the Department
• NSW Treasury
• the Minister or Minister’s office
• the NSW Ombudsman and Audit Office of NSW
• office staff, consultants and advisers
• any agency or body of the NSW Government, or any other organisation or individual considered by the office to have a need or an entitlement to know that information (including any federal, state or territory agency or body), where that need or entitlement to know that information arises out of or in connection with the purpose above.

Evaluation timeframe (for successful applications) is 12 weeks.

Complaint handling

Details on how we handle complaints, access to information and your private information is available at: https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/about-us/feedback-complaints-privacy-and-government-information 

Access to information

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA) provides for the proactive release of government information by agencies and gives members of the public an enforceable right to access government information held by an agency (which includes Ministerial offices). Access to government information is only to be restricted if there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.

The NSW Legislative Council has the power to order the production of State papers by the Executive Government. Standing Order 52 provides that the House may order documents to be tabled by the Government in the House. The Cabinet Office coordinates the preparation of the papers – that is, the return to order. The return to order may contain privileged and public documents. Privileged documents are available only to members of the Legislative Council.

Note that documents submitted as part of a grant application may be subject to an application under the GIPA Act or an order for papers under Standing Order 52. 

More information about how the Department’s holds information and how to access it is available in the Information access guide.

Ethical Conduct

Create NSW will administer the grant in accordance with the published Grant Guidelines and the principles and processes set out in the NSW Grants Administration Guide.

Create NSW will implement measures and controls to enable a fair and transparent process and incorporate appropriate safeguards against fraud, unlawful activities, and other inappropriate conduct.

Conflict of interest management

Conflicts of interest are any factors that could compromise the judgement, decisions, or actions of a person or group of people.

Conflicts may arise if a party in the grants administration process, whether it be Department staff, assessment panel members, the applicant or staff employed by the applicant: 

• has a professional, commercial, or personal relationship with a party who can influence the application selection process
• has a relationship with or interest in, an organisation, which is likely to interfere with or restrict the applicants from carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently
• has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation from which they will receive personal gain because the applicant received a grant
• are involved in any other situations which could lead to unfavourable advantage.

Conflicts of interest for the Department will be handled as set out in the Department’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Applicants must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest as part of their application or, if successful, as they arise during project implementation.

You must inform us as soon as you identify an actual, apparent or perceived conflict of interest.

NOTE: You are advised to contact us if you are unsure whether something constitutes an actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest.

Risks are managed in accordance with Department’s risk management framework. Risk management, including fraud controls, will occur throughout the grant life cycle.

Confidentiality 

Successful applicants may be required to keep the outcome of the application process confidential until the Government makes a public announcement. The Department follows all requirements of confidentiality required as part of the grants administration and assessment process as outlined in the NSW Grants Administration Guide.

Unless otherwise stated, any commercial-in-confidence provisions (as defined under the GIPA Act) provided by you as part of, or in connection with, a registration, application or negotiation process will be treated confidentially by the office. We may disclose commercial-in-confidence information provided by You to the following parties:

• The Minister or Minister’s office;
• the NSW Ombudsman and Audit Office of NSW;
• office staff, consultants and advisers;
• any agency or body of the NSW Government, or any other organisation or individual considered by the office to have a need or an entitlement to know that information (including any federal, state or territory agency or body), where the need or entitlement to know that information arises out of or in connection with the office’s assessment, verification or due diligence of any aspect of your application; and
• where authorised or required to by law.

If we disclose commercial-in-confidence information to any of the above parties, we will inform the party that the information is strictly confidential. We will otherwise only disclose commercial-in-confidence information provided by You with Your consent.

Privacy 

The Department will collect and store the information you voluntarily provide to enable the implementation of this grant program.

The Department is required to comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act). The Department collects the minimum personal information to enable it to contact an organisation and to assess the merits of an application. Applicants must ensure that people whose personal details are supplied with applications are aware that the Department is being supplied with this information and how this information will be used.

We treat your personal information in accordance with the PPIP Act and the Department’s privacy policy. This includes letting you know:

• what personal information we collect;
• why we collect your personal information; and
• who we give your personal information to.

The personal information will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected unless an exemption applies.

Anticipated assessment outcome date is December 2026.

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