Special Entertainment Precinct Kickstart Grant Program Round 2 FAQs

The SEP Kickstart Grant Program Round 2 is a demand-driven (first-in, first served) grant open to all eligible councils in NSW.

The SEP Guidelines are Ministerial Guidelines prepared under the Local Government Act 1993. 

A council establishing a SEP trial and operating a SEP is required to comply with the SEP Guidelines.

Purple Flag is an international accreditation program which recognises precincts that achieve high standards of excellence in managing their night-time economy. 

While the Purple Flag precincts in NSW are the first of their kind in Australia, the program also currently operates in over 100 locations across the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden and Malta.

Purple Flag is administered by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, in partnership with the UK Association of Town and City Management (ATCM).

For more information refer to nsw.gov.au/purple-flag

To be eligible for the Program, applicants must:

1. be a local council in NSW who has not previously received funding from the NSW Government to establish a SEP; and
2. have a Council resolution to:
   (a) establish the SEP/s, which must identify a specific location and boundary for the SEP/s, and
   (b) commit to establishing a Special Entertainment Precinct working group (PWG); and 
   (c) investigate Purple Flag accreditation for the same boundary as the proposed SEP/s in the project period; unless a council already has an existing Purple Flag accreditation that covers a boundary within the proposed SEP/s; and
3. have one of the following:
   (a) an adopted night-time economy strategy; or 
   (b) another adopted strategy document or strategic planning statement in which the night-time economy is identified as a priority, objective, pillar or key action; or 
   (c) a Council resolution to prepare a night-time economy strategy or plan and have other demonstrated strategic context including a visitor economy strategy or plan or economic development strategy or plan; and
4. demonstrate that the decision to establish the SEP/s has been informed by early engagement on the principle of the SEP with the local community and businesses; and
5. demonstrate project deliverability by clearly detailing Council’s capacity to deliver the SEP/s and investigate Purple Flag accreditation; and
6. be able to deliver the project within the project period, ensuring the mandatory steps in the SEP Guidelines are met.

DCITHS cannot consider your application if it does not satisfy all the eligibility criteria.

The application must demonstrate that the decision to establish SEP/s has been informed by early engagement with the local community and businesses on the principle of a SEP/s.

Feedback could be obtained through forums, meetings, interviews, pop-ups or online surveys and the like, and indicate the level of venue, business and community interest in a SEP/s.

Inadequate early engagement includes engagement on a project such as a strategy or masterplan that does not reference the proposed SEP/s. 

No, any council who has previously received funding from the NSW Government for establishing a SEP is not eligible to receive funding in the SEP Kickstart Grant Program Round 2.

A Council resolution to establish a SEP is required in Step 1.3 of the NSW SEP Guidelines, which are mandatory for councils to follow when establishing SEPs under Part 3 of Chapter 8 of the Local Government Act 1993. 

To encourage councils who are establishing SEPs to embed principles of safety, wellbeing and excellence in night-time precinct management, the grant requires all councils (without an existing Purple Flag accreditation) to investigate Purple Flag accreditation and prepare a Purple Flag self-assessment report. The grant allows councils to apply for an additional amount up to $50,000 to support the costs or preparing the report and to further explore obtaining Purple Flag accreditation in the same location as the SEP/s.

No, if there is an existing Purple Flag accreditation that covers a boundary within the proposed SEP, a council resolution to investigate Purple Flag accreditation for the precinct is not required.

Councils who currently have existing Purple Flag accredited precincts within the proposed SEP/s cannot apply for additional funding to support the investigation of Purple Flag accreditation, and do not require a resolution to investigate a Purple Flag accreditation.

The amount available for each eligible council is:

• $20,000 to $200,000 (excluding GST) for the purpose of establishing a SEP/s; and
• $10,000 to $50,000 (excluding GST) for the purpose of investigating and working towards Purple Flag accreditation (optional)

to the total maximum value of $250,000 (excluding GST) per Council (regardless of whether a Council identifies more than one SEP within the application).

While the grant requires councils establishing SEPs to investigate Purple Flag accreditation and prepare a Purple Flag self-assessment report (if they do not have an existing Purple Flag accreditation), the request for Purple Flag related funding is optional. Councils will choose whether to progress to a formal application for Purple Flag accreditation, which will be subject to a separate assessment.

Council must identify the funding amount that they wish to apply for in their application, alongside a project budget that details how the funding will be allocated.  
 

Yes, all successful recipients will still be required to develop a Purple Flag precinct self-assessment report as part of their project plan as a minimum requirement towards investigating Purple Flag accreditation (unless the precinct is already Purple Flag accredited).

Councils will choose whether to progress to a formal application for Purple Flag accreditation, which will be subject to a separate assessment. 
 

For SEPs:

Eligible councils will be able to access funding for resourcing the required technical expertise to establish SEPs in accordance with Step 1 of the SEP Guidelines.

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

• Labour expenditure for temporary employment
• External or third-party costs such as: 
  o    acoustic specialists to prepare or test the sound management framework 
  o    strategic planning consultants to prepare internal reporting and maps, a planning proposal, draft Development Control Plan (DCP) provisions, and/ draft precinct management plan
  o    community engagement consultants to develop consultation strategies and undertake engagement activities (such as letterbox drops)
  o    costs associated with marketing and communication of the SEP/s
  o    monitoring, data collection and/or evaluation costs during the SEP trial.

For Purple Flag investigation:

Eligible costs related to Purple Flag include:

• costs to establish or fund a coordinator role to manage stakeholder engagement and coordinate Purple Flag related working group meetings
• activities related to pursuing Purple Flag accreditation including conducting a Purple Flag precinct self-assessment, developing a precinct map, and compiling other supporting information to progress a Purple Flag application, such as a precinct snapshot. Please refer to the Purple Flag guidelines (PDF 3.76MB) for more information. 

Eligible expert and consultant costs include, but are not limited to:

• labour expenditure for temporary employment for the project for the coordination of the Purple Flag project
• external or third-party costs, such as:
  —    data collection
  —    preparation of documentation
  —    stakeholder engagement
   

Unless otherwise agreed with Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, the SEP trial must commence no later than 31 December 2026 and be completed no later than 30 June 2028.

To encourage regional SEPs to be established, $250,000 (excluding GST) of the total fund will be reserved for priority allocation to councils located outside of the Sydney Metropolitan Region as defined in this Program in Section 5.4.1 of the SEP Kickstart Grant Guidelines - Round 2 (PDF 1021.89KB). Councils in regional areas will also be eligible for funding from the remaining $1M of the total funding pool, with a total allocation not to exceed $250,000 per council, excluding GST.

If the reserved funding is not fully allocated to eligible regional councils, any remaining funding will be made available to other waitlisted eligible councils at the closure of the grant.
 

For this program, the allocation of grant funding between Regional and Sydney Metropolitan areas in NSW is determined by specific geographical definitions set by DCITHS. These areas are outlined in Section 5.1.1 of the SEP Kickstart Grant Guidelines – Round 2 (PDF 1021.89KB).

DCITHS reserves the right to amend this categorisation at its discretion.

An online information session was held on Monday 17 November 2025 to provide further information about the grants.

For further information about SEPs please refer to the NSW Special Entertainment Precinct webpage, nsw.gov.au/seps, which includes:

• SEP Support Hub online form
• NSW Special Entertainment Precinct Guidelines
• SEP Acoustic Toolkit
• SEP Handbook
• Resources
• Purple Flag and SEPs Fact Sheet
• Purple Flag Guidelines
• Model templates including Request for Quotes (RFQ) for consultants

Applicants can also email seps@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au for any questions or assistance with SEPs or the Grant Program.

For further information on the Purple Flag program, please visit the Purple Flag website at nsw.gov.au/purple-flag or contact purpleflag@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au.
 

Applications will open at 12:00pm on 10 November 2025 (AEDT).

The Program will close on 13 April 2026 at 2:00pm (AEDT) or may close earlier if funds are expended before this date.

Applications will not be accepted after the Program closes.
 

The SEP Kickstart Grant Program Round 2 follows a single stage application process. This replaces the two-stage process comprising an Expression of Interest (EOI) and a detailed application process in Round 1. The EOI stage is removed to streamline the grant process.

To apply, councils must:

• complete the application form on the Special Entertainment Precinct Kickstart Grant Program webpage;  
• submit the application through the SmartyGrants portal;
• provide all information requested;
• address and meet all the eligibility criteria;
• include all necessary attachments to satisfy the eligibility criteria, as specified in the application form and Section 4.1.2 of the SEP Kickstart Grant Guidelines – Round 2 (PDF 1021.89KB);
• submit the application in accordance with the timelines outlined in the SEP Kickstart Grant Guidelines – Round 2 (PDF 1021.89KB).
   

Applicants may only submit one application, including for multiple SEPs.

Councils whose applications have been deemed ineligible may reapply, provided the new application is received before the Grant Program closes at 2:00pm (AEDT), 13 April 2026 or if funding is exhausted sooner and the grant closes.

Councils who reapply must do so via the SmartyGrants portal and the submission will be assessed as a new application. 

It is important that applicants fully review the Guidelines (PDF 1021.89KB) before preparing an application to understand:

• the eligibility requirements
• what needs to be included in the application
   

1. A copy of council resolution to establish the SEP/s, which must identify a specific location and boundary for the SEP/s; and
2. A copy of the Council resolution to establish a precinct working group (PWG) to guide the establishment of a SEP; and
3. A copy of the Council resolution to investigate achieving Purple Flag accreditation for the same boundary of a precinct where the SEP is proposed (unless there is an existing Purple Flag accreditation for an area that is within the proposed SEP/s); and
4. A copy of the relevant strategic documents to satisfy either a), b) or c):
   a)    An adopted Night-Time Economy Strategy; or 
   b)    Another adopted strategic council document that references the night-time economy as a key objective, priority, pillar or action; or
   c)    The Council resolution to commit to prepare a night-time economy strategy and a copy of the other demonstrated strategic context including a visitor economy strategy or plan or economic development strategy or plan; and
5. An engagement outcomes report or similar document that demonstrates that the decision to establish SEP/s have been informed by early engagement with the local community and businesses; and
6. The intended objectives and outcomes for the SEP/s; and
7. The proposed timeframe for SEP establishment, noting the requirements of the SEP Kickstart Grant Guidelines – Round 2 (PDF 1021.89KB) and SEP Guideline (PDF 1021.89KB)s; and
8. The project budget that details how the funding will be allocated (evidence of written quotes required); and
9. The proposed project team (job titles only) comprising members from at least 2 different Council departments or teams to demonstrate a cross-collaborative approach; and
10. The proposed approach to investigating Purple Flag accreditation, including completing a Purple Flag precinct self-assessment report. 

To assist applicants in preparing their applications, additional information and resources, including sample Requests for Quotes for consultants, the SEP Guidelines, and template planning proposal documents, can be found at nsw.gov.au/seps. Further enquiries can be made by email at seps@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au 

For further information on the Purple Flag program, please visit the Purple Flag website at nsw.gov.au/purple-flag or contact purpleflag@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au. 

An online webinar will be held in November 2025, and will cover an overview of the Program, how to apply, and eligibility requirements, followed by a Q&A.
 

Every council will be required to develop a Purple Flag precinct self-assessment report as part of their project plan as a minimum requirement towards investigating Purple Flag accreditation (unless the precinct is already Purple Flag accredited).      

A Purple Flag precinct self-assessment report is a structured review of how your precinct operates at night, carried out by your working group. It involves walking through the precinct during the early evening and night-time, to observe and assess performance against the five core Purple Flag principles:

• Wellbeing: welcoming, clean and safe
  Movement: a secure pattern of arrival, circulation and departure
  Appeal: a vibrant choice and rich mix of entertainment and activity
  Place: a stimulating destination and vibrant place
  Strategic alignment: a clear aim and a common purpose

A copy of the self-assessment template will be supplied by the O24HEC to successful grant recipients. Further information on conducting a self-assessment is available in the Purple Flag Program Guidelines (Section 3.5).

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email within 6 weeks of receipt of application and can request feedback from the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.

If the application is unsuccessful, applicants may submit a new application prior to the Program close date if it is still open for funding.

Questions about the SEP Kickstart Grant can be emailed to seps@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au. 

Throughout the assessment process, DCITHS may request additional information from applicants.

Advice and information may also be sought from other NSW Government agencies or other parties to assist with the assessment of applications, including an independent probity advisor. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process.
Should DCITHS need to go back to an applicant for clarification or missing information in their application, assessment of the application will pause until all required information is received. 

Successful applicants will be notified in writing within 6 weeks of receipt of their completed application (which includes all required information) with an offer of funding. 

The offer of funding will include a funding agreement which must be reviewed, signed and returned to the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS) within two weeks of its receipt. Payment of funding is conditional on the successful applicant entering into a funding agreement with DCITHS, and subject to the terms of the funding agreement.

This is a first-in first-served program and may close prior to 13 April 2026 if the total grant monies available have been fully exhausted. This website will be updated and DCITHS will contact all applicants to discuss this further if this occurs.

Unless otherwise agreed by DCITHS, successful applicants will be required to provide a progress report within 6 months of executing a funding agreement, unless otherwise agreed by DCITHS.

Grantees must submit via SmartyGrants a progress report comprising copies of the final draft lodgement documents that will be submitted to DPHI for the Planning Proposal to amend the Local Environmental Plan for the SEP/s.

The progress report must include copies of:

• request for Gateway Determination to Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI);
• Precinct Management Plan and Sound Management Framework;
• development control plan amendment (if applicable);
• engagement outcomes report;
• SEP/s boundary maps;
• Planning Proposal;
• relevant Council resolutions and reports;
• any other draft documents that will be submitted with the Planning Proposal (such as Good Neighbour Policy);
• a SEP precinct working group (PWG) consultation outcomes report on the activities of the PWG; and
• a completed Purple Flag self-assessment report (this document is part of the requirements for a Purple Flag application and will constitute the minimum requirements for evidence of Purple Flag investigation), unless there is an existing Purple Flag accreditation for an area that is within the proposed SEP/s.  A copy of the self-assessment template will be supplied by the O24HEC to successful grant recipients. Further information on conducting a self-assessment is available in the Purple Flag Program Guidelines (Section 3.5) (PDF 3.76MB).

The progress report must also include information relating to expenditure carried out for the project (e.g. invoices, payment remittance) and baseline data to enable evaluation for the SEP/s.

Further detail on progress reporting requirements is contained within the SEP Kickstart Grant Guidelines (PDF 1021.89KB).  

At the conclusion of the SEP trial period (the ‘project period’) and no later than 31 July 2028, final reports and acquittals are due.

Project acquittal reports must include a signed statement of income and expenditure relating to the grant, and proof of purchases, invoices, and payment remittance as required.

Project acquittal reports must also:

• identify if and how outcomes of the SEP trial were successful and achieved;
• (if applicable) identify if Purple Flag accreditation has been achieved, or if an application for accreditation will be submitted;
• include the agreed evidence as specified in the funding agreement;
• identify the total eligible expenditure incurred and provide evidence of expenditure as required; and
• be submitted within the timeframe and in the format outlined in the funding agreement.

These reports must include data on:

• number of venues participating in the SEP/s;
• number of venues regularly (weekly) hosting live music or entertainment within the SEP/s;
• number of dedicated live music and performance venues in the SEP/s;
• community and stakeholder satisfaction around the SEP/s;
• safety of the SEP/s; and
• business composition of the SEP/s
• Purple Flag accreditation status of the SEP/s (if applicable)

Six and 12-month post-acquittal reports will also be required, outlining mandatory data evaluation of the SEP/s, to relate to the long-term success of the SEPs.

No, subject to conditions of the funding agreement, Council does not have to pay back monies spent on eligible costs should the SEP trial not proceed.

No - while the grant requires councils to investigate Purple Flag, the minimum requirement for councils to comply with the investigation of Purple Flag will be to complete a Purple Flag precinct self-assessment report.

The grant does not require councils to formally apply for Purple Flag accreditation within the timeframes of the SEP Kickstart Grant funding project plan. 

Councils will choose whether and when to progress to a formal application for Purple Flag accreditation. Any formal application for Purple Flag accreditation will be subject to a separate independent assessment as per information on our website  nsw.gov.au/purple-flag.