Funding for major events in Canberra
Find out how to apply for the Major Event Fund. The grant supports major events that attract visitors and promote Canberra.
Apply at least 6 months before your event starts, where possible.
Major Event Fund
The fund supports major events that can demonstrate capacity to attract more than 5,000 overnight visitors and/or over 15,000 visitor nights in the ACT.
Who this is for
This fund is for event organisers seeking support for major events in Canberra.
What you get
You can apply for funding from $50,000 to $500,000.
The Major Event Fund contributes towards the cost of your event, but it does not cover all costs. You will need to provide additional funding from other sources.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if your event can:
- attract more than 5,000 overnight visitors and/or over 15,000 visitor nights in the ACT
- increase visitor spending in Canberra
- promote Canberra to domestic audiences, and international audiences where relevant
- provide a high-quality event experience
- fill a gap in Canberra's annual events calendar
- support Canberra's reputation as a tourism and events destination
- involve Canberra's diverse communities.
You must also:
- have a current Australian Business Number
- hold public liability insurance for at least $20 million per incident.
You cannot apply for funding to:
- underwrite an event
- support a business event, such as a conference, convention, trade show or expo
- support an event that will mostly be held outside Canberra
- fund event activity that has already happened.
An event that already receives funding from another ACT Government program may not be eligible for the Major Event Fund.
What you can do
You can use the funding to acquire, create, develop or deliver a major event.
Before you apply
Talk to VisitCanberra about your proposal. We can help you check whether your event is suitable for the Major Event Fund.
Check what you need to apply
The guidelines explain what evidence and supporting information to include.
You'll need:
- your current Australian Business Number
- a certificate of currency showing public liability insurance of at least $20 million per incident
- your event budget, including details of other funding sources
- your marketing plan
- a completed Event attendance and visitation overview [XLSX 21kB], showing your event's proposed visitor numbers.
Your application must also respond to the assessment criteria, set out in the fund guidelines:
- economic benefit
- marketing impact
- social and community benefit and event leveraging opportunities
- event management capacity and capability.
Apply
To apply:
- Read the grant guidelines and talk to VisitCanberra to make sure you're eligible.
- Prepare your application and supporting documents.
- Email your application to tourism.industry@act.gov.au
After you apply
Representatives from VisitCanberra and Economic Development assess your application against the assessment criteria.
We then make a recommendation to the Minister for Tourism, who makes the final decision to provide funding.
We will notify all applicants in writing.
If your application is successful, you’ll need to enter a legally binding Deed of Grant with the ACT Government.
The agreement will set out the funding amount, payment schedule, deliverables, milestones, KPIs and reporting requirements.
A final payment of about 10% to 15% will be withheld until funding objectives are met. This includes meeting visitation outcomes and completing post-event reporting.
You’ll have the opportunity to ask VisitCanberra for a formal debrief on your application.