Events across regional NSW are set to receive a major boost, with the NSW Government announcing a $1.5 million injection through the Regional Event Fund for events held in the 2025/26 financial year.

From today, event owners can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help stage events in regional NSW that enrich the state’s diverse calendar of event experiences, drive increased overnight visitation and boost local economies.

The grants offered through the Regional Event Fund form part of the NSW Government’s plan to grow the NSW visitor economy by empowering communities to host events that reflect their local culture and create authentic experiences that attract visitors and drive 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) of the overall NSW visitor economy. A key strategy for continuing growth in regional tourism is supporting the array of events delivered in regional towns across the state.

Last year 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 the sustainable growth of regional visitor economies, with ongoing investment in events essential to reaching the NSW Government’s new stretch goal.

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 of up to $50,000.

Applications for the Regional Event Fund open today and will close at midnight on Sunday 6 April 2025.

All applications must be for eligible events that will be staged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

“Regional events bring locals together, attract visitors and boost local economies. 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 over $14 million in funding, helping turn events like the Deni Ute Muster and the 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.”

Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones said:

"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. 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."