South Australia’s regional events will receive $1 million in funding support from the South Australian Government, with applications for the Regional Event Fund (REF) now open.

Premier Steven Marshall said the funding will help strengthen the state’s events calendar, especially during the crucial COVID-19 recovery phase, while creating local jobs.

“Regional events play an important role in driving visitation, boosting our regional economies and creating local jobs, and the new funding will further grow our regional event calendar, attracting local, interstate and international visitors who will spend their hard-earned money in our state,” Premier Marshall said.

The 2022-23 Regional Event Fund has four categories, including Significant Event Funding from $50,000 for up to three years for new large-scale events that have the potential to be nationally or internationally significant. Other categories include Established events that have a strong track record of growth, Development funding for events that have potential for growth, and Emerging for events that are one to three years old and smaller community events.

REF will support events held between 1 September 2022 and 30 August 2023. The first round of applications are now open and will close at 5pm on Friday, 22 April 2022, with the second round opening in August 2022. Applications for Significant Event Funding will be accepted year-round.