Grants up to $1 million to strengthen Queensland’s tourism industry and to deliver economic benefits by supporting tourism businesses planning significant experiences and infrastructure projects.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
- An overview of the Visitor First Experience Fund
- Every detail you need to know
- Resources and help to get the grant
What is the Visitor First Experience Fund?
The Visitor First Experience Fund (VFE) is a new $3 million funding program supporting the Queensland Government’s Towards Tourism 2032 strategy, a plan to deliver uniquely Queensland experiences in step with the needs of visitors, communities, and the environment. The funding is available to bring forward the delivery of new and enhanced tourism-related projects.
VFE level of support
Grants
- Minimum funding of $250,000 per project
- Maximum of $1 million (GST exclusive)
Co-contribution
- Co-funding contribution of 75% of the project’s eligible project costs, i.e., a ratio of 3:1 investment
VFE important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
VFE important details that you will need to know
VFE objectives and outcomes
The aim of the fund is to strengthen Queensland’s tourism industry and deliver economic benefits through enhancing the state’s tourism offerings by bringing forward the delivery of new and enhanced tourism-related projects.
Priority will be given to projects that can demonstrate:
- alignment to the key priorities of the Towards Tourism 2032 strategy such as tech wonderment, nature-based tourism, regenerative tourism and authentic culture
- advanced planning and project completion by June 2024 as a priority and by no later than June 2025
- access to or secured co-funding contribution, at the time of application.
Organisations eligible for VFE support
To be eligible to apply for funding, an organisation must:
- be an established tourism business operating in Queensland (e.g., for-profit entity) *
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN), an Australian Company Number (ACN) or exemption from these
- be registered for GST.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible organisations.
Projects and activities eligible for VFE support
Projects must be completed by June 2025, however priority will be given to projects which can be completed by June 2024 and strongly align to key tourism strategies and priorities aimed at growing Queensland’s tourism industry. For more information see the Towards Tourism 2032 strategy.
Priority will be given to projects that can demonstrate:
- alignment to the key priorities of the Towards Tourism 2032 strategy such as tech
- wonderment, nature-based tourism, regenerative tourism and authentic culture
- project completion by June 2024
- access to or secured co-funding contribution, at the time of application.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible projects and activities.
Expenditure eligible for VFE support
Eligible project costs may include:
- costs relating to the creation of an experience, including infrastructure development
- new equipment and/or technology to enhance the tourism experience
- value-adding to existing experiences with additional activities
- capital construction costs (including all site works required as part of the construction)
- costs of construction-related labour (external contractors), materials, equipment hire
- project management costs (external contractors) for time directly related to managing the construction of approved works but excluding executive duties and overhead charges
- costs relating to the recording of progress, e.g., photography, time-lapse video
Ineligible costs may include:
- works that are deemed as maintenance for existing infrastructure
- activities that have commenced or been completed prior to approval of funding
- all preparatory work, such as planning, feasibilities studies, conceptual design, obtaining regulatory approvals, community consultation, and compliance processes undertaken
- tender processes
- marketing, advertising and promotional activities including websites
- engagement and hiring permanent employees not associated with the project
- buying or leasing real estate, including the land on which the infrastructure is constructed
- costs relating to the delivery of major, local and/or regional events
- soft infrastructure such as décor, furniture, removable fixtures and equipment
- infrastructure that is temporary in nature and/or with a limited installation period.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible expenditure.
Information to prepare for the VFE application
The focus of the EOI process is for applicants to demonstrate their eligibility and that the proposed project meets the broad objectives of the fund by demonstrating the economic value of the project to the state, alignment to the Towards Tourism 2032 strategy and:
- provides new tourism product/experience (or a standalone element of a larger project)
- will be implementation ready and commence within three months of funding approval
- will be fully completed no later than June 2025 with priority given to projects which can be completed by June 2024
- creates new jobs in both implementation and on-going operational phases
- increases overnight visitor numbers and expenditure
- delivers economic benefits to Queensland.
The provision of information and documents outlining the scope and scale of the project is also required to be submitted, including:
- total cost of the project to meet applicant contribution of 75% of project’s eligible costs
- financing of the project with evidence of other sources of funding, as required
- project’s implementation readiness – status of current stage
- evidence of ownership (including land tenure)
- evidence of permissions and/or approvals for the project
- statement of benefit to Queensland – projected direct tourism benefits.
FBC applications will need to include:
- a detailed Project Plan
- company financials for the past two years, signed by an approved auditor
- evidence of 75% co-funding contribution towards the delivery of the project
- letters confirming financial contributions from other parties, if applicable
- evidence project is implementation ready and able to commence within three months of funding approval with priority for projects that demonstrate completion by 30 June 2024
- evidence of land ownership or landowner’s consent and, where applicable, Native Title. Applicants must disclose any land ownership/access issues including Native Title.
Applications must include documentation that supports statements made in the application and provide evidence of operational requirements such as permits, permit applications, licences and certifications.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the VFE
Applications are submitted online via the SmartyGrants portal.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
VFE assessment criteria
| Ref | Criteria | Weighting |
| 1 | Economic value – will deliver a value-for-money outcome to the Queensland Government – has access to an amount which is equal to a minimum of 75% of total funds required – has total project costs of between $1 million and $4 million, or greater, upon completion – creates jobs through construction period and operational phases – demonstrates innovative and enhanced tourism products and service delivery – is technically, commercially, and practically feasible and viable – has sound project risk assessment and mitigation strategies – has forecast capital and operating costs, and expected project revenues – results in a tourism product which can be booked online and be included in travel itineraries – will extend the length of time visitors will spend in the region – increases overnight visitor visitation and expenditure – delivers economic benefits to Queensland. | 40% |
| 2 | Project readiness – extensive plans, sections and elevations of each element of the proposal, in the context of a functional layout of the overall facility – architectural sketches and/or detailed design drawings and engineer design – quantity surveyor quotations – land ownership/tenure – feasibility studies – Development Approval(s) – consideration of environmental impacts, including approvals where applicable – Native Title agreement with relevant stakeholders, as required – compliance with cultural heritage duty of care, where applicable – evidence of local authority &/or economic development support for the project – all other relevant approvals and operational requirements i.e., permits, permit applications. | 40% |
| 3 | Risk and cost allocation – The assessment panel will consider the balance of risk and cost proposed between government and the applicant in determining whether a project presents an acceptable proposition to the State. – The application must demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to undertake and deliver the project, in line with the Program Guidelines, with evidence of experience delivering projects of similar scope and scale highly regarded. – Proposals which present a lower risk proposition to government will have a greater likelihood of successfully satisfying this criterion. | 20% |
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
VFE resources
How do I get the VFE?
Applicants should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Applicants will also need to address Assessment Criteria and complete submission of your application through the online portal.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that the projects will:
- be completed by June 2024 as a priority and by no later than June 2025
- be implementation ready and can commence within three months of funding approval
- build sustainable new and improved tourism experiences and products that diversify Queensland’s tourism offering
- support new jobs in both construction/implementation stage and create on-going operational jobs
- increase overnight visitor numbers and expenditure
- deliver economic benefits to Queensland
- be delivered in line with a key priority as defined in the Queensland Government’s Towards Tourism 2032 strategy.
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