Holiday Break program
The resilience of young people has been tested in recent times by drought, bushfires, floods and COVID-19, so as part of the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion COVID-19 Recovery Strategy, the popular Holiday Break program has received a $10 million funding boost.
The Office for Regional Youth's Holiday Break program provides young people across regional NSW with opportunities to connect, socialise, learn new skills and have fun during the school holidays by delivering a range of free and subsidised activities including sport and recreation camps, training courses, creative, artistic or science activities, council-led events and more.
Eligible regional NSW councils and not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to apply for funding to deliver events as part of the Holiday Break program.
Applications for Winter holidays now open
Applications for funding for the Winter 2022 Holiday Break are now open. Eligible regional NSW councils and eligible not-for-profits can apply for funding to deliver events and activities during the upcoming school holidays.
Key dates for Winter Holiday Break
Applications open: Monday 11 April 2022
Applications close: Friday 20 May 2022
Activities delivered between: Monday 4 July - Sunday 17 July
Outcomes report due: 26 July 2022
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants include:
- Regional councils in NSW (PDF, 140.33 KB)
- Incorporated not-for-profit organisations
Program information and resources
- Program guidelines (PDF, 525.44 KB)
- View frequently asked questions listed below
How to apply
Eligible applicants can submit an application using the online SmartyGrants portal.
Getting support
For more information and support with your application, please contact Regionalyouth@regional.nsw.gov.au.
Winter Holiday Break program FAQs
Eligible councils and not-for-profits can apply for up to $7,000.
See full list of eligible regional councils here (PDF, 140.33 KB).
Applications for Holiday Break funding close Friday 6 May 2022.
Applicants can complete and submit a proposal using the SmartyGrants portal.
New or enhanced social or recreational activities, events, services or programs for young people aged 12-24 years during the Winter school holidays.
Examples of eligible activities:
- movie nights
- youth concerts and music events
- sports and recreational activities
- creative and cultural activities
- dance / disco events
Activities are to be delivered between Monday 4 July 2022 and Sunday 17 July 2022.
Activities delivered by not-for-profits must target one of the priority groups of young people identified below:
- Aboriginal young people
- young people that are carers
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse young people
- young people from a refugee background
- LGBTIQA+ young people
- young people living with a disability
- young people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
Applications will be assessed within 5 working days, unless otherwise advised. Once an application is approved, applicants will receive an email notification.
Successful applicants will receive a notification and link via email to complete a funding deed. Payments will be released within 10 days of an executed funding deed.
Due to high volumes of funding deeds, requests are considered in order of receipt.
Invoices from local councils should be exclusive of GST.
Invoices from not-for-profits can include GST.
Amendments to proposed activities will not be accommodated. However, should an event be impacted by COVID-19 or natural disasters, the guidelines permit a change of dates.
If you are unable to deliver activities as detailed in the Funding Deed, please advise both the Grants Management Office at gmo@regional.nsw.gov.au, and the Office for Regional Youth at regionalyouth@regional.nsw.gov.au as soon as possible.
Funds must be expended on activities as part of the Winter 2022 school holidays.
Yes. Activities must be delivered in compliance with relevant health orders. Applications should include a copy of a COVID-19 Safety Plan or a detailed description of how you plan to deliver the activities in a COVID-Safe way.
Councils within the Greater Sydney Area, Newcastle LGA and Wollongong LGA are ineligible for funding as they are outside of the program scope.
The ‘proudly supported by NSW Government’ logo is available in the guidelines. Further queries regarding media opportunities can be referred to media@regional.nsw.gov.au.
Funding deeds need to be printed, signed and returned. Funding deeds can be signed by authorised staff at the council/organisation or a person at the council/organisation with delegation. Funding deeds cannot be electronically signed as legal documents but they can be witnessed virtually.