Tasmanian Festival and Event Support Fund (Australia)

Deadline: 30 May 2025

The Tasmanian Government is inviting applications for its Tasmanian Festival and Event Support Fund to address the impact of delays in the arrival of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels on the tourism, hospitality and events sectors.

Aim

This program is designed to boost regional visitation and strengthen the Tasmanian economy during the shoulder and winter months (from March to November 2025 and 2026) by providing funding for events across the following streams:
- Event development
- Event sustainability
- Emerging events
- Significant events

Funding Information

Up to $5 million has been allocated to this grant program to support events over two years.
One-off grants between $10,000 and $450,000 are available to support events scheduled between 1 March and 30 November in 2025 and/or 2026. The funding can be applied to a single event or spread across multiple events over the two-year period.
While requests for funding up to $450,000 can be made, applicants may not be approved for the total amount they are seeking. The Department may offer an alternative funding amount depending on the submitted proposal and the size and scale of the event activities being requested.
Stream One: Event development
- To support the establishment of new event concepts.
Stream Two: Event sustainability
- To support events that have been delivered once before.
Stream Three: Emerging events
- To support events that have been delivered at least twice in the last two years.
- Funding is available to expand events into a regional area.
Stream Four: Significant events
- To support events that have been delivered on at least three occasions in the last four years and attract significant levels of regional dispersal.
- Funding is available through this stream for events that currently receive support under the Major Event Partnerships Program to expand elements of their event program into a regional area.

Ineligible Expenses

Purchase of equipment, activities and/or services, which are not solely for the purpose of producing and delivering this event.
Funding for activities that will commence before the funding is approved. Funding will not be provided retrospectively.
Fines and penalty payments.
Debt or loans.
Legal fees.
- Be registered for tax purposes in Australia with a continuously active Australian Business Number (ABN) on or before 30 June 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Hold Public Liability Insurance or be able to obtain Public Liability Insurance to the value of $20 million.
- Be an event organiser delivering an event in Tasmania between 1 March and 30 November 2025 and/ or 1 March and 30 November 2026. Please note that preference will be given to those events that will be held when the event calendar is less busy.
- Submit an application at least 12 weeks prior to the event commencing.
- Note, while preference will be given to events held outside of the Greater Hobart region, existing events operating in the Greater Hobart region may apply for funding to expand into regional areas.
- Applicants may be asked to supply documentation to support their eligibility claims, as part of the application process, or as part of an audit process. Information supplied by applicants may be subject to authenticity checks using third party software.
- Performance in previous grants may also be taken into consideration when assessing this application.

Ineligibility Criteria

Events held in December, January and February 2025 and/or 2026.
Events Tasmania does not support:
- Conferences
- Conventions
- Symposiums
- Trade fairs
- Expos
- Concert series
- Touring acts or shows
Any organisation that is trading insolvent, under external administration or bankruptcy.
Applicants with overdue reporting obligations from previous Events Tasmania grants.
Applicants currently receiving funding through the Championships or Touring Grant Programs are ineligible for funding through this program.

Assessment Criteria

Applicants must outline how their event will meet the three pillars within the Tasmanian Government Events Strategy 2023-2027:
- Economic
- Social
- Brand
Additionally, applicants must clearly outline and address each of the points below, relating to the stream they are applying under:
- Stream one
  - How the event concept will relate to the area where the event will be held.
  - How the event will attract people to the region.
  - How the event will move people around Tasmania.
  - The benefit the event will bring to the area.
  - The anticipated destination promotion to be delivered by the event.
  - The strength and size of target markets for the event.
  - Provide a budget that itemises all costs associated with the event.
- Stream two, three and four
  - How the event will relate to the area where the event will be held.
  - How the event will attract people to the region.
  - How the event will move people around Tasmania.
  - The benefit the event will bring to the area.
  - How the event will promote the region and partner with or leverage off the local tourism and hospitality businesses to extend the length of stay in the region.
  - The potential for event growth, development and financial sustainability of the event after the funding period concludes.
  - Provide a budget that itemises all costs associated with the event.