Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $750,000 to $2,000,000
- Application opened: 16 March 2026
- Application closed: 30 March 2026, 4:00 pm
Program objective
The program has a two-stage application process:
Stage 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI)
Stage 2 - Detailed Application
EOI stage, is used to assist applicants ensure a project is likely to meet the eligibility and other criteria, including within the program timeframes.
- An EOI is submitted in Smarty Grants.
- The department’s program team will review the EOI and contact applicants if more information is required during the period that the EOI is open, and up to 7 business days after the EOI period closes.
- If based on the information in EOI, the applicant and project is considered likely to meet the eligibility criteria and timeframes, an invitation to submit a Detailed Application will be provided to the applicant.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit EOIs as early as possible to allow more time for developing a Detailed Application if required.
Following participation in the EOI stage, successful applicants will be invited to submit Detailed Applications through SmartyGrants for Stage 2 assessment.
Applications for Stage 2 are required to address all the Selection Criteria set out in section 2 of these guidelines, with detailed supporting evidence.
The full Program Guidelines are available on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder or you can follow this link (
Regional Events & Partnerships Stream program guidelines) to view the guidelines.
This program is administered by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are:
- a company incorporated in Australia
- an incorporated association or co-operative
- legally binding partnerships or trusts
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
- incorporated Aboriginal community organisations (i.e. initiated by, controlled and operated by Aboriginal people and/or governed by a board or committee of Aboriginal people)
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils
- incorporated not-for-profit organisations
- local councils, Section 355 committees of a local council or joint organisation of councils
- sporting bodies (State or National associations)
- Lord Howe Island Board
- Unincorporated Far West groups
Eligible applicants must:
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- provide appropriate evidence of not-for-profit and incorporation status
- be financially viable and able to demonstrate they are financially viable by providing the most recent 3 years of financial statements
- hold or commit to obtaining public liability insurance of not less than $20 million per occurrence prior to executing a funding deed with the department
- not be insolvent, bankrupt or subject to ongoing legal proceedings
- declare in the application form that the applicant is not aware of any issues which could cause reputational or other risks to the NSW Government
If an applicant’s circumstances in relation to the above eligibility criteria change, the applicant should provide updated information by contacting the department via email at regionaldevelopmenttrust@dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Eligible Locations:
- Albury City
- Armidale Regional
- Ballina Shire
- Balranald Shire
- Bathurst Regional
- Bega Valley Shire
- Bellingen Shire
- Berrigan Shire
- Bland Shire
- Blayney Shire
- Bogan Shire
- Bourke Shire
- Brewarrina Shire
- Broken Hill City
- Byron Shire
- Cabonne
- Carrathool Shire
- Central Coast
- Central Darling Shire
- Cessnock City
- Clarence Valley
- Cobar Shire
- Coffs Harbour City
- Coolamon Shire
- Coonamble Shire
- Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional
- Cowra Shire
- Dubbo Regional
- Dungog Shire
- Edward River
- Eurobodalla Shire
- Unincorporated Far West NSW
- Federation
- Forbes Shire
- Gilgandra Shire
- Glen Innes Severn
- Goulburn Mulwaree
- Greater Hume Shire
- Griffith City
- Gunnedah Shire
- Gwydir Shire
- Hay Shire
- Hilltops
- Inverell Shire
- Junee Shire
- Kempsey Shire
- Kiama Municipality
- Kyogle
- Lachlan Shire
- Lake Macquarie City
- Leeton Shire
- Lismore City
- Lithgow City
- Liverpool Plains Shire
- Lockhart Shire
- Lord Howe Island
- Maitland City
- Mid-Coast
- Mid-Western Regional
- Moree Plains Shire
- Murray River
- Murrumbidgee
- Muswellbrook Shire
- Nambucca Valley
- Narrabri Shire
- Narrandera Shire
- Narromine Shire
- Newcastle City
- Oberon
- Orange City
- Parkes Shire
- Port Macquarie-Hastings
- Port Stephens
- Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional
- Richmond Valley
- Shellharbour City
- Shoalhaven City
- Singleton
- Snowy Monaro Regional
- Snowy Valleys
- Tamworth Regional
- Temora Shire
- Tenterfield Shire
- Tweed Shire
- Upper Hunter Shire
- Upper Lachlan Shire
- Uralla Shire
- Wagga Wagga City
- Walcha
- Walgett Shire
- Warren Shire
- Warrumbungle Shire
- Weddin Shire
- Wentworth Shire
- Wingecarribee Shire
- Wollongong City
- Yass Valley
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible projects that can be supported by Regional Events and Partnerships Stream grant will facilitate significant events in regional NSW that include ongoing local benefits to achieve the program objective and can include projects that:
- attract or develop new events in regional NSW that deliver ongoing benefits such as economic growth and improved social outcomes
- expand existing events through new and/or upgraded permanent infrastructure or activation of under-used assets
- increase the frequency of events, including addressing barriers to regular or reliable use of existing assets or temporary facilities.
Projects that require partnerships with levels of government and proponents will also be considered.
Outcomes for projects funded under this grant
The expected outcomes of the Regional Events and Partnerships Stream are:
Short-term outcomes:
Boost for local businesses
Upgrades to permanent infrastructure or other types of enduring local benefits such as local participation or promotion of local industry, environment and/or culture.
Increased access to diversion activities, reduction in youth crime
Medium-term outcomes:
Increased visitation and broader tourism uplift
Health and well-being improvements, and increased opportunities particularly for young people and families to participate in events within the local area
Long-term outcomes:
Attract and retain the residents and workers needed to ensure the economic success and ongoing sustainability of regional communities
Communities have the amenities and social cohesion needed to build and maintain resilience from economic or environmental shocks
What costs you can apply for
The following types of project costs are eligible for funding:
- are within the minimum and maximum funding amount for a grant under the program
- engagement of temporary staff, programs or service providers related to facilitating an event or achieving ongoing benefits to local and regional communities as part of the project
- construction costs for infrastructure development, expansion or upgrades that relate to the program objective and would not be considered business-as-usual activities, responsibilities or operations
- includes less than 20% of the total grant for contingency
- includes less than 10% of the total grant for project management and administration
Applicants should contact the department on regionaldevelopmenttrust@dpird.nsw.gov.au with any questions regarding the eligibility of certain costs prior to submitting an application.
Who can’t apply
Ineligible applicants include:
- individuals
- sole traders
- unincorporated associations
- Australian or NSW Government agencies, state owned corporations, or statutory authorities
What costs you can't apply for
The following are examples of project costs that are ineligible for funding:
- financing costs, including interest and debt financing, costs such as rent and utilities unless specifically related to the project
- insurance costs (applicants must hold and maintain adequate insurance coverage for any liability arising from their participation in funded activities)
- depreciation of plant and equipment beyond the life of the project
- purchase of land or buildings
- purchase of alcohol
- staff training costs not directly related to the project
- costs that are not essential to the success of the project
- cost of projects or activities already funded or costs related to business-as-usual activities, responsibilities or operations of the entity, state or local government
- any costs for works or improvements that are not directly related to delivering the project
- retrospective funding to cover any project component that is already purchased and/or complete prior to the Department receiving a signed Letter of Offer and Confidentiality Agreement, however the NSW Government makes no binding financial commitment until both parties sign a funding deed.
Types of projects not funded under this grant
A project is not eligible for funding if:
- the application does not meet the compliance, eligibility and project feasibility criteria or does not include information required to assess these criteria
- the project does not provide clear ongoing benefits to local and regional communities and contribute to the objectives of the program stream and Active Regional Communities Package
- the applicant has received funding from the NSW, Australian Government or another source for any part of the project scope that duplicates deliverables to be funded by this program
- it has more than 50% of the funding request allocated to ineligible project costs
- it is for planning purposes only; or costs are exclusively for marketing, branding, advertising or product promotion including tourism marketing; or if it would be considered business-as-usual activities and operations
- it requires ongoing funding from the NSW Government. A plan for the closure, or continuation of the activities with alternative funding, at the end of the grant period once the grant is expended will be required as evidence.
- it is solely for the maintenance of any infrastructure i.e. painting or beautification repairs without upgrading the functionality or amenity of the infrastructure.
Example projects
The following are examples of projects which may be funded under the program and are listed as guidance only:
- Attract and host a major event, including operations (e.g. safety, communications and community engagement) and include activities that contribute to the local community (e.g. providing sport clinics) for the duration of the event.
- Infrastructure to enable music, cultural, industry or sporting events to be held in a regional locality (e.g. upgrades/ temporary expansion of facilities, road upgrades, etc).
- Activate under-used infrastructure, such as upgrading showground facilities (e.g. power, lighting, surface improvements) to use for recurring night market, industry promotion or festivals).
What co-contributions are required
Eligible applicants must make a financial contribution towards the project of at least 50% of the total project cost. Exemptions may be available in limited circumstances.
Financial contributions from other grants received (secured) from the Australian Government can be included in the co-contribution. However, grants from the NSW Government cannot be included in the minimum co-contribution amount required.
What your application needs to include
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.
Address the assessment criteria
After the EOI, applications for Stage 2 are required to address all the Selection Criteria set out in section 2 of these guidelines, with detailed supporting evidence.
Strategic alignment - 25%
How the benefits and outcomes of the project contribute to the objective the Regional Events and Partnerships Stream objective (1.3 of these guidelines)
How the project addresses the relevant Key Focus Areas (1.2 of these guidelines) and priorities in the Regional Development Trust Fund Investment Strategy
How the project also addresses key priorities for the NSW Government or local strategies
Value for money - 25%
The significance of the community need, and the current gap in provision, that will be addressed by the project
The project’s benefits and costs
Evidence that the project will not proceed without support
A strategy for maintenance, operation, or closure, once the project is complete and the grant is expended (as applicable).
Economic benefit - 25%
The potential for the project to provide ongoing benefits from significant events to improve liveability in regional locations, to meet the program objectives (1.3 of these guidelines)
The contribution of the project, either directly or indirectly, to improving the economic or social outcomes for the community or key cohorts in the community.
Including quantifying benefits such as (but not limited to):
- attraction of attendees or participants from multiple local government areas or a substantial proportion of the host community
- increased employment and engagement of local suppliers
- creation of recurring activity (annual or seasonal) or permanent reuse of upgraded infrastructure
- expected future growth or development of the event.
Balanced approach to regional economic development - 25%
The likely economic or social impact on the region/locality, including (but not limited to) the likely increase in local participation, volunteer opportunities, cultural expression, or community wellbeing beyond a single‑event outcome.
How the project facilitates a balanced approach to regional economic development and contributes to a diversity of project types across rural and regional NSW.
Start the application
The program is a two-stage application process.
Parameters
Applicants can only submit one application per Stream.
Where to apply
Applicants submit their Expression of Interest, Detailed Applications and supporting documents through the program’s online application portal on Smarty Grants.
When to apply
Applicants must submit their applications by the closing dates and times for each stage as outlined in the Key Information section of these program guidelines.
The department retains discretion to extend the closing date and time, and to accept late applications in extenuating circumstances.
Applicants cannot reopen or amend applications after the closing date and time. The full Program Guidelines are available on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder or you can follow this link (
Regional Events & Partnerships Stream program guidelines) to view the guidelines.
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: Minister for Regional NSW
The EOI stage is used to assist applicants ensure a project is likely to meet the eligibility and other criteria, including within the program timeframes.
- An EOI is submitted in SmartyGrants.
- The department’s program team will review the EOI and contact applicants if more information is required during the period that the EOI is open, and up to 5 business days after the EOI period closes.
- If based on the information in EOI, the applicant and project is considered likely to meet the eligibility criteria and timeframes, an invitation to submit a Detailed Application will be provided to the applicant.
- Applicants are encouraged to submit EOIs as early as possible to allow more time for developing a Detailed Application if required.
Note that the final determinations against the selection criteria will be made by the Assessment Panel.
Following participation in the EOI stage, applications are submitted in Smarty Grants for the Stage 2 assessment of Detailed Applications.
Determining which applications are successful involves these stages:
- preliminary assessment (compliance, eligibility, feasibility)
- merit-based assessment criteria
- decision making.
Support and contact
Please contact regionaldevelopmenttrust@dpird.nsw.gov.au
