Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $50,000 to $150,000
- Application opened: 19 March 2026
- Application closes: 20 April 2026, 12:00 pm
Program objective
The Purple Flag Readiness Grant Program has been established to support the adoption of Purple Flag as a best-practice night-time precinct management framework across SEPs. Through targeted funding, the Program seeks to:
- Embed consistent standards in night-time precinct management – Strengthen the quality and consistency of night-time precinct management across NSW by embedding internationally recognised Purple Flag standards.
- Strengthen local coordination and collaboration – Facilitate stronger partnerships between councils, businesses, government agencies and stakeholders to drive precinct improvements and support ongoing accreditation efforts.
- Improve perceptions of safety for women and gender-diverse people – Support initiatives that enhance the safety and inclusivity of night-time precincts, particularly for women and gender-diverse people, helping to create welcoming and secure environments for all.
- Increase awareness of the Purple Flag program among local communities – Support marketing, education and outreach initiatives to enhance business and consumer engagement with the Purple Flag framework and benefits.
- Increase precinct readiness to apply for and maintain Purple Flag accreditation – Support councils and stakeholders to adopt and implement the Purple Flag night-time management framework, strengthening their capacity to apply for and maintain Purple Flag accreditation.
A downloadable copy of the Program Guidelines is available. For further details, please also see the Frequently Asked Questions.
This program is administered by Create NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for the Program, applicants must be a local council in NSW:
- with a permanent SEP, or
- with a trial SEP, or
- funded by NSW government to establish a SEP (excluding SEP Kickstart Grant Program Round 2 recipients); and
- Demonstrate evidence of existing or proposed Purple Flag working group/s establishment, including representation from a diverse range of key stakeholders (eg. local businesses, council, police, liquor accords, transport, etc.); and
- Provide details on the geographic boundary of each proposed or accredited Purple Flag precinct within the SEP geographical boundary; and
- Provide a clear plan and timeline for the proposed grant activities to be delivered and expected outcomes for each proposed or accredited Purple Flag precinct; and
- Provide a realistic, detailed and itemised budget for each proposed or accredited Purple Flag precinct, that is clearly linked to the project activities and expected outcomes; and
- Demonstrate project deliverability by clearly detailing Council’s capacity to deliver the proposed grant activities; and
- Commit to delivering a Purple Flag self-assessment report per proposed Purple Flag precinct within 6-months of executing a funding agreement; and
- Provide a letter of commitment to the Purple Flag program from a senior council staff member (eg. Director, General Manager). The letter must not be from an elected official such as a councilor.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible activities for funding under this grant include:
1. Co‑ordination and Engagement: (Minimum 25% of total funding)
Eligible activities include:
- Working group co‑ordination: fund a role to lead stakeholder engagement, run meetings, prepare precinct snapshots, and facilitate self‑assessment nights
- Program management: of Purple Flag related initiatives
- Data collection and reporting: develop tools, surveys and feedback mechanisms to track the impact of initiatives
- Stakeholder engagement and education: run ‘walk‑shops’, roundtables, information sessions and co‑design activities with local businesses and stakeholders
- Self‑assessment report: prepare a Purple Flag self‑assessment report within six months (including precinct map, snapshot and supporting information)
2. Perceptions of Safety
Eligible activities include:
- Safety audits and enhancements: conduct precinct audits, surveys and community engagement (e.g. safety walk‑shops and co‑design sessions).
- Training programs: deliver training for businesses and security teams on customer safety, inclusivity and perceptions of safety for women and gender‑diverse people
- Physical interventions: install art, lighting, wayfinding or signage that enhances safety and accessibility
3. Promotion and Marketing (Available only for accredited Purple Flag precincts)
Eligible activities include:
- Marketing campaigns: banners, posters, flyers, digital advertising and social media campaigns
- Events and activations: host community events or open nights to showcase accreditation
- Digital promotion: update websites, create videos, and develop social media content
- Collaborative branding: create co‑branded materials or merchandise with local businesses
When the project can start and end
The Project needs to be delivered within 12 months.
The project should be started by 1 July 2026 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2027.
What costs you can apply for
Up to $750,000 (ex GST) in funding is available for the Purple Flag Readiness Grant Program. Eligible councils may apply for a grant up to $50,000 (ex GST) per proposed or accredited Purple Flag precinct.
Councils with multiple proposed or accredited Purple Flag precincts may apply for up to $150,000 (ex GST) in total funding. Only one application per council will be accepted. However, that application may include any number of proposed or accredited Purple Flag precincts, with funding allocated between them as the council chooses, up to a maximum of $50,000 (ex GST) per precinct.
Funding must be used for activities that support Purple Flag Readiness Grant objectives. The following conditions apply:
- One upfront payment will be made upon execution of the funding agreement
- At least 25% of funding must be allocated to coordination and engagement activities
- Marketing and promotion funding is only eligible for precincts that have achieved Purple Flag accreditation
What costs you can't apply for
Costs that are not directly associated with the eligible activities including but not limited to:
- The covering of costs that are not incurred within the project delivery period
- Ongoing operational costs such as staff salaries, rent, utilities, maintenance/repairs and administrative overheads. This excludes the costs associated with the appointment or funding a program coordinator
- Paying back loans or other financing costs, including interest and debt financing
- Purchase or lease of land or property
- Overseas travel costs
- Major capital works
- Activities that are already funded by other NSW Government grants or programs
Types of projects not funded under this grant
- Activities that occur outside the Project Delivery Period (i.e. no retrospective funding)
- Projects that constitute the normal course of business for the funded entity
- Activities that are already being supported by the NSW Government through other grant programs
- Any activities deemed by DCITHS to be inconsistent with the five core principles to achieve accreditation for the Purple Flag program.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
- Details and evidence of existing or proposed Purple Flag working group/s establishment. Including:
- membership composition, including lead applicant and representation from key stakeholders (eg. local businesses, council, chamber of commerce, community groups, liquor accord, transport, police, local universities etc.),
- governance arrangements such as decision making protocols, meeting cadence etc.
- A description or map of the geographical boundary of each proposed or established Purple Flag precinct. You should demonstrate that the precinct sits within or matches the SEP geographical boundary and aligns with Purple Flag boundary principles (see Appendix B).
- A clear plan and timeline for delivering the proposed grant activities for each proposed or accredited Purple Flag precinct. You should include:
- the proposed activities to be delivered and expected outcomes
- timelines and key milestones to deliver grant activities
- timelines and key milestones to investigate, develop or progress a Purple Flag accreditation application (for proposed Purple Flag precinct only)
- personnel and required resources (including any contractor/consultant arrangements)
- potential risks and/or challenges along with appropriate mitigation strategies
- A letter of commitment to the Purple Flag program from a senior council staff member (eg. Chief Executive, General Manager). The letter must not be from an elected official such as a councilor.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
The grant program is an open, non‑competitive, demand driven (first‑in, first‑served) grant program. This means that councils that satisfy stated eligibility criteria will be recommended for funding in the order that they are received.
Eligible applications will be considered based on a non-competitive process and will be assessed by DCITHS staff with experience in Purple Flag accreditation, as well as SEP and precinct strategies.
Key Dates:
- Applications open: 19 March 2026, 12:00pm
- Applications close: 20 April 2026, 12:00pm
- Outcome notifications: By late May 2026
- Contracting completed: By 30 June 2026
Late applications will only be accepted with written approval from the Program Director.
Information Session:
Join us at 10.30am on Thursday 26 March 2026 for an online information session to learn more about the grant program, including eligibility requirements, assessment criteria and fundable activities. You should receive an invitation to this session in your inbox soon.
Please reach out to our team at purpleflag@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au to register.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: 24-Hour Economy Commissioner
- Eligibility assessment: Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. If an application meets all specified criteria it will be recommended for funding.
- Decision making: Eligible applications will be submitted to the Decision Maker who will make the final decision to determine successful grant recipients.
- Outcome notification: Councils will be notified of the outcome of their application by late May 2026. Successful councils will be required to enter into a funding agreement with DCITHS.
Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered. During the assessment process, we may ask councils for more information. We may also seek advice from other NSW Government agencies or from other parties, including an independent probity advisor, to help us assess applications. All information will be kept confidential.
Applications must meet all eligibility criteria to be recommended for the full funding amount requested by the council.
Applicants can request feedback on their application.
All approved grants will be published on the NSW Government website in line with transparency requirements.
Support and contact
The Office of 24-Hour Economy staff are available to provide general information on the interpretation of these guidelines and support with the online application process.
Email: purpleflag@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au
Visit our website: nsw.gov.au/24houreconomy
