Business Events Grants

The Australian government announced an extension of the Business Events Grants program as well as amendments to the program guidelines on March 11, 2021.

• The minimum grant amount will be lowered to $5,000 (from $10,000) to make it more accessible to small businesses.
• Expanding coverage for events planned through March 31, 2022, so that events that were postponed in early 2021 can still take advantage of the service.
• Extending the number of delegates eligible for the grant.
• Raising the sponsorship cap.
• Increasing the number of focus sectors.

Applications for the grant will be extended to 30 June 2021. Expressions of Interest for event owners to have their event included on the Schedule of Approved Business Events will also re-open early April.

An updated version of the program guidelines and eligibility criteria for the Schedule of Approved Business Events will be published by end of March.

On 11 September 2020, the Australian Government announced the $50 million Business Events Grants program. As part of the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund, the program provides assistance to industry sectors, regions and communities disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Grant applications will be accepted until June 30, 2021. Expressions of Interest for event organizers interested in getting their event added to the Schedule of Approved Business Events will reopen in early April.

By the end of March, a revised version of the program requirements and eligibility criteria for the Schedule of Approved Business Events will be available.

The Australian Government launched the $50 million Business Events Grants program on September 11, 2020. The initiative, which is part of the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund, assists industry sectors, territories, and communities that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19's economic impacts.

The Australian Government's Business Grants Hub administers the program, with guidelines established in conjunction with government and industry stakeholders.

For more information, visit Business Events Grants program.

To inquire about exhibiting at Sydney Build and take advantage of the grant, talk to our team. 

Grants Locator

Grant Finder will help you find the grants and assistance programs that are most beneficial to your business.

Businesses may apply for grants and other funding schemes from the Australian, state and territory governments, as well as local councils in some cases. You should look for grants in a number of categories, including business development, technology, and education.

Supporting Australia’s Exhibiting Zoos and Aquariums Program

On 11 March 2021, the Australian Government announced an extension to the Supporting Australia’s Exhibiting Zoos and Aquariums Program for a further six months.

The funding will continue to support the eligible zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks whose revenue stream has been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and will be expanded to cover animal transfer costs, where the transfer is necessary due to an animal welfare issue.

Claims for payments covering April to June 2021 (Payment 5) will open for eligible zoos and aquariums in early April. Claims for payments covering July to September 2021 (Payment 6) will open mid-year.

An updated version of the program guidelines and key dates will be published by end of March.

On 28 April 2020, the Australian Government announced the provision of $94.6 million for the Supporting Australia’s Exhibiting Zoos and Aquariums program. As part of the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund, this program provides assistance to sectors, regions and communities disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19.

For more information, visit Supporting Australia’s Exhibiting Zoos and Aquariums program.

COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support program

On 11 March 2021, the Australian Government announced Round Two of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program. This will provide further assistance of $130 million to travel agents and tour arrangement service providers who continue to provide refunds and hold credits for Australian consumers unable to travel internationally. Further details on Round Two will be provided shortly.

On 1 December 2020, the Australian Government announced a $128 million scheme to assist travel agents and tour arrangement service providers who have been severely impacted by COVID-19. The scheme provides eligible travel agents and tour arranging service operators with a one-off payment to assist with their legal obligations to credit and refund Australian consumers who were unable to travel due to COVID-19.

Find more information, visit COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support program.

Export Market Development Grants scheme (EMDG)

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industry sectors and products, including inbound tourism and the export of intellectual property and know-how outside Australia.

For more information, visit What is EMDG?

Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program

On 11 February 2020, the Australian Government announced a $10 million Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants program, to support events, concerts, festivals and visitor attractions in bushfire affected regions and to assist with recovery efforts, encouraging visitors back to the regions. Austrade is administering the program as part of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency initiative.

The program formed part of the Government’s $76 million tourism recovery package to protect jobs, small businesses and local economies by helping get tourists travelling into bushfire-affected regions.

Applications for Stream 1 and Stream 2 have now closed.

For more information, visit Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants.