As part of the Regional Event Fund, event owners can apply for grants to help stage events in regional NSW, forming part of the NSW Government’s plan to grow the state’s visitor economy.

Applications have opened, with up to $50,000 on offer to enable communities to host events that reflect their local culture and create authentic experiences that drive visitation and generate expenditure for local businesses.

Tourism Research Australia figures from the year ending September 2024 show regional NSW contributed a record $26 billion (49 per cent) to the overall NSW visitor economy.

In 2024, the NSW Government released its review into the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 and committed to a new 2035 target of $91 billion in annual expenditure – a 40 per cent increase on the previous goal.

The review supports sustainable growth of regional visitor economies, with ongoing investment in events an essential component of the government’s strategy.

“Regional events bring locals together, attract visitors and boost local economies,” says NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham.

“That’s why the NSW Government backs local operators to put on the events locals love and tourists want to visit.

“The Regional Event Fund has supported more than 530 events with more than $14 million in funding, helping turn events such as Deni Ute Muster and Parkes Elvis Festival into bucket list regional experiences.

“We want to see more local events get to this level which is why we’re opening the fund for more operators to have a crack at building the next big regional drawcard.”

The Regional Event Fund is managed by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, and supports regional events through three funding streams:

• Incubator event stream: New events in their first or second years can receive up to $20,000 in seed funding to support activities that help establish an event as a key driver of visitation.
• Flagship event stream: Emerging events that have been running for more than two years can receive $20,000 grants to increase their profile and attract visitors. Events that have already received three annual grants will be eligible for grants of $30,000 over three years.
• Event development stream: Established events that have previously received and completed triennial funding through the flagship event stream can receive grants up to $50,000.

“Regional events are vital to the NSW visitor economy, bringing communities together and showcasing the unique character of our regions to visitors from across Australia and beyond,” says Destination NSW’s acting CEO, Karen Jones.

“They create authentic experiences that inspire travel, drive overnight stays and generate economic benefits for local businesses.

“Through the Regional Event Fund, Destination NSW is strengthening its support for event owners and regional communities – helping to develop and grow events that enrich our state’s year-round events calendar and reinforce regional NSW as a must-visit destination.”

Applications for the Regional Event Fund close on Sunday, 6 April, 2025.

Photo at top: Parkes Elvis Festival – iStock/CUHRIG