This fund supports events in regional NSW to increase visitation and economic benefits to destinations. The Incubator Event stream supports the establishment of new events.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $20,000
- Application opened: 12 March 2024
- Application closed: 9 April 2024
Program objective
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.
The Regional Event Fund comprises 3 individual funding streams providing a development pipeline for events from inception, through emergence, to their establishment as tourism events in Regional NSW.
This page provides information on the Incubator Event stream of the Regional Event Fund only. Guidelines for the Flagship Event stream and Event Development stream are available separately.
The purpose of the Incubator Event stream is to offer seed funding to events in Regional NSW to support their first or second year of activity.
The Incubator Event stream supports innovative events that demonstrate sound organisational planning, have a unique alignment with the character and culture of the local region and which can demonstrate a broad appeal likely to promote tourism and attract overnight visitation.
This program is funded and administered by Destination NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible to apply for the Regional Event Fund Incubator Event stream, applicants must:
- be the event owner (i.e. own the rights to the event and hold the relevant approvals for the event)
- be financially solvent
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- be a sole trader, company, incorporated association, or trust entity
- have at least $20 million public liability insurance, or be able to secure before entering into a Funding Agreement.
To be eligible for the Incubator Event stream, your event must:
- take place between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025
- be held for the first or second year in the year of funding
- be held in one of the following seven Destination Network regions listed below:
- Destination Central West
- Destination Country & Outback NSW
- Destination North Coast including Lord Howe Island
- Destination Riverina Murray
- Destination Southern NSW
- Destination Sydney Surrounds North
- Destination Sydney Surrounds South.
Please note: the Local Government Areas of Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Wollondilly are no longer included in the above Destination Networks. View the Destination Networks boundary map.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The Incubator Event stream offers seed funding for activities that are likely to establish the event as a driver of visitation.
Activities for which funding will be offered include, but are not limited to:
- venue hire and other costs specific to the event, determined on a case by case basis
- temporary event infrastructure (marquees, stages etc.) that is likely to improve the visitor experience
- marketing and promotions
- marketing, PR and digital specialist or consultancy fees subject to Destination NSW approval of a brief
- brand design and development
- visitor research.
Destination NSW funding is intended to supplement existing expenditure and support the event to deliver a superior visitor experience or raise its profile outside of its immediate area.
Who can’t apply
The following applicants are ineligible:
- Australian, State or Territory Government agencies or entities, including NSW.
- Destination Networks.
- Political parties.
The following event types are not eligible for funding from the Incubator Event stream:
- Events held in Local Government Areas not included in a Destination Network region mentioned listed in the eligible events criteria.
- Regular (weekly/monthly) community events such as markets and bazaars, local sports meets (home/away games, regional tournaments), club gatherings (RSL, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce), classes, workshops etc.
- One-off events that are not planned to continue after a single year (e.g.: anniversary celebrations, concerts, exhibitions, theatre seasons, sporting championships etc).
- Religious events i.e. events that have a religious ceremony as the principal focus such as Easter or Christmas celebrations. Events held over weekends such as Easter may be considered if the religious element is not the focus (e.g.: a food or music festival).
- Community public holiday celebrations such as Anzac Day, Australia Day, King’s Birthday if the holiday is the primary focus. Events held over public holidays will be considered if the holiday is not the focus (e.g. a food or music festival).
- Event series such as sporting events, music festivals or exhibitions held in multiple locations across NSW and/or Australia.
- Touring events such as concert tours, circuses and fun fairs.
- Promotional events (i.e. where marketing a specific product and/or cause is the principal objective).
- Events held in Greater Sydney including Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Wollondilly.
- Events whose overnight visitation impact is not immediate i.e.: that promote visitation to a destination at a later date.
- Business events (e.g. trade shows and exhibitions, conferences, industry meetings).
- Consumer events that include a business event as an extension event will not be excluded from the Regional Event Fund provided the consumer event is the primary applicant.
- Events owned and/or operated by an agency or entity of the Federal Government, or a State or Territory Government including NSW.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Grant funds cannot be used to replace previous or other funding for the Event, such as:
- prize money, gifts, or contributions to charitable groups
- travel expenses
- local Council fees
- general administration costs such as staff costs, salaries, administration and services
- costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation.
Additional Eligibility
- A single event may not receive grant funding from more than one stream of the Regional Event Fund program (Incubator, Flagship or Event Development) in the same year.
- An event awarded a grant through previous Regional Event Fund rounds that has been deferred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or extreme weather are not eligible to apply for additional funding for the same event from the Regional Event Fund in 2024/25.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Applicants are encouraged to:
- read the program Incubator Event stream guidelines in full
- check their eligibility for the program
- speak to their Destination Network to advise of their intent to apply
- submit their application through the Destination NSW on-line application platform.
Applicants will be required to attach the following documents to their online application:
- completed event management plan detailing:
- event overview
- operational processes
- risk management
- team structure
- evaluation plan.
- itemised budget for the 2024/25 event including projected revenue and expenditure
- certificate of currency for at least $20 million public liability insurance, or evidence of ability to secure before entering into a funding agreement.
The application form includes multiple opportunities to upload supplementary information in support of the application and applicants are encouraged to do so.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria for the Incubator Event stream, when completing the online application form.
Address the assessment criteria
Applications will be assessed on 3 key assessment criteria:
Economic Impact (30%)
Destination NSW targets its investment in events that will deliver new expenditure into a region through visitation. Applicants need to demonstrate:
- Their event will attract audiences from outside the event’s Local Government Area.
- Sufficient accommodation capacity exists to attract overnight visitation.
Strategic Marketing Alignment and Community Impact (30%)
This refers to effective promotion of your event and its region to visitors outside of the region, while also engaging the local community. Applicants need to demonstrate:
- How the event concept will create and raise awareness for the region; including showcasing its character and culture.
Event Planning and Due Diligence (40%)
Applicants need to demonstrate sound event management practices, and that they’ve undertaken sufficient due diligence in their event planning.
- Applicants need to demonstrate a clear Event Management Plan detailing the:
- event overview
- operational processes incl. accessibility and sustainability
- risk management
- rationale for timing of the event
- relevant insurance cover
- method for collecting and measuring attendee and visitation numbers, and evaluation plan. A mandatory requirement of this component is a clear strategy and plan for collecting data and assessing ex-region visitation numbers and experience.
- Applicants need to demonstrate sound financial management and provide an:
- itemised budget incl. income and expenditure
- Applicants need to demonstrate that the event will deliver new expenditure into their region through increased visitation, often achieved by holding the event in off-peak or shoulder seasons. Applicants need to:
- Provide the rationale for the timing of their event
- Applicants should detail their plan for collecting data as an input to measure and evaluate visitation and the visitor experience (e.g. post event survey):
- How you (or plan to) collect and analyse visitation data and feedback
Start the application
All applications for grants from the 2024/25 Incubator Event stream must be submitted through the Destination NSW on-line application platform.
Applications sent via email, post or fax will not be accepted.
Applicants must not provide false or misleading information.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for Jobs & Tourism or nominated delegate
Acknowledgement of Applications
- Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by email following submission.
- If an acknowledgment email is not received following submission, or if require support throughout the application process please contact the Grants Administration team via email grants.admin@dnsw.com.au
- Applications must be received by Destination NSW no later than the advertised closing date.
- Applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.
- No extensions to the submission date and time will be provided.
- Applicants may be contacted by Destination NSW for verification or for further information provided in their application.
Assessment of Grant Applications
- The Incubator Event stream is an open and competitive grants program.
- Applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria and the assessment criteria outlined in the Guidelines. Eligible applications are assessed on their comparative merits against the nominated criteria.
- All eligible applications will be assessed by a panel convened by Destination NSW. The assessment panel consists of representatives with experience in events and regional tourism. Each application is assessed by a minimum of three different members of the assessment panel.
- Based on the assessments, a recommendation will then be made in writing to the Decision-Maker.
- The Decision-Maker will provide the final funding approval of the event and funding amount.
Notification of Application Outcome
- Applicants will be advised via email and/or letter of the outcome of their grant application once approval is determined by the Decision-Maker.
- Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing and offered the opportunity of a feedback session about their application (upon request made to Destination NSW).
- Successful applicants will be advised of their application status and may be requested to keep the status and details confidential until an announcement is made.
- Successful applications will be announced publicly. Successful applicants will receive a letter of notification following this announcement.
Funding Agreements
Successful applicants are required to:
- enter into a Funding Agreement with Destination NSW by 14 June 2024, or as otherwise agreed with successful applicants
- deliver on grant milestones prior to receiving grant payment
- acknowledge the support of the NSW Government in accordance with the Funding Acknowledgement Guidelines
- notify Destination NSW in writing of any proposed changes such as event date – requests for variations or changes to the event will be considered in limited circumstances
- pay back unspent funds, or any funds not spent in accordance with the Funding Agreement.
Grant Payment
Funds will not be available until a Funding Agreement is signed by Destination NSW and the successful applicant, and all requirements of each milestone are met. All successful applicants registered for GST will be paid the approved grant amount plus 10 per cent GST.
Grants will be paid in full upon:
execution of a Funding Agreement
receipt by DNSW of a valid certificate of currency for public liability insurance
evidence of a current event listing of the Event on Visit NSW.
Reporting and Acquittal
- Successful applicants are required to complete and submit a post event report via the online platform no later than 2 months after the last day of the event. Failure to submit the post event report may jeopardise the applicant's future eligibility for Destination NSW funding.
- Destination NSW will, from time to time, request event information and high resolution imagery and video content to assist with the marketing of Incubator events. A photo brief can be requested from Destination NSW.
- Successful applicants may also be required to provide progress reports or status updates on the delivery of the event to Destination NSW, upon request, and at regular intervals in accordance with the Funding Agreement.
Support and contact
Destination NSW Grants Administration
For assistance with your application or for further information regarding this fund please contact the Grants Administration Team by emailing grants.admin@dnsw.com.au
Destination Networks
Get more information on the Destination Networks, or for information on Destination Management Plans, regional tourism strategies and local tourism stakeholders.
Event Listings
Get more information on the Get Connected program.
Create an event listing on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse, or phone 1300 137 225 or email support@atdw.com.au.