Funding to support Queensland events through major event investment, Homegrown destination grants up to $100,000, and targeted international business event acquisition and leveraging funding assistance.
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What is Queensland Events Funding?
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) supports events that attract visitors, grow the visitor economy and showcase Queensland. Its event investment pathways serve different types and stages of events.
- Major Event Investment: for one-off or recurring major events with substantial tourism, economic, profile and community benefits.
- Destination Event Investment (Homegrown): four grant streams supporting new, established and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events held in Queensland.
- Business Event Investment: the Business Events Acquisition and Leveraging Fund (ALF), supporting bids to attract eligible international business events to Queensland.
Queensland Events Funding level of support
Funding amount
- Major Event Investment: minimum and maximum amounts are not specified publicly; investment is considered for eligible major events.
- Homegrown Destination Kickstarter: up to $25,000.
- Homegrown Destination Signature: $15,000 to $40,000.
- Homegrown Destination Significant: $40,000 to $100,000.
- Homegrown Destination Indigenous: $15,000 to $40,000.
- Business Event Investment (ALF): minimum and maximum amounts are not specified publicly; bid support is subject to eligibility, assessment and available funding.
Co-contribution requirements
- Homegrown: an application can request no more than 25% of the event cash expenditure budget.
- Homegrown Kickstarter: council or regional tourism organisation (RTO) funding must already be committed; the TEQ request cannot exceed that funding.
- Major Event Investment and Business Event Investment: fixed co-contribution percentages are not published in the reviewed program information.
Queensland Events Funding objectives
- Contribute to Queensland’s economy and attract visitors to the state.
- Enhance Queensland’s profile and foster community pride.
- For Homegrown, generate local economic activity, attract visitors from outside the destination, improve community outcomes and strengthen destination appeal.
- For business events, secure international conferences, exhibitions, meetings and incentives that deliver measurable tourism and economic benefits.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Queensland Events Funding support
Eligible events and activities
- Major events: one-off or recurring events with demonstrable value against TEQ’s four major event investment outcomes.
- Homegrown: eligible out-of-region marketing, event program enhancements, growth and development planning, short-term specialist personnel and temporary infrastructure hire.
- Business events – international association events and trade exhibitions: overseas-delegate marketing, high-profile keynote speakers, venue hire and host fees.
- Business events – international corporate meetings and incentives: eligible Queensland accommodation, venue hire, transport, official-program food and beverage, and tourism experiences.
Ineligible projects and expenditure
Homegrown funding cannot cover core operational expenses; additional exclusions are set out in its funding guidelines. Business event funding cannot support events already confirmed for Queensland. For corporate meetings and incentives, funded costs must be incurred in Queensland, paid to Queensland suppliers and approved in advance; payments cannot be made directly to event owners, travel agents and certain intermediaries. Refer to the relevant TEQ information for the full conditions.
Other Queensland Events Funding important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Queensland Events Funding support
- Major events: organisations proposing an event that can demonstrate all four TEQ major-event investment outcomes.
- Homegrown: eligible applicants with an ABN that are an ASIC-registered corporation, incorporated association or other body corporate, proposing qualifying events at a consistent Queensland destination.
- Homegrown Signature: events previously held at least twice and attracting visitors from outside their local government area.
- Homegrown Significant: established events with previous TEQ support and strong evidence of interstate and intrastate visitor attraction.
- Homegrown Indigenous: qualifying events with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander content and a current or concurrent eligible Homegrown funding pathway.
- Business events – association conferences and trade exhibitions: international events in the bidding phase with at least 500 in-person delegates per day, including at least 40% travelling from overseas; applicant must be an eligible registered legal entity.
- Business events – corporate meetings and incentives: international events in the bidding phase with at least 400 in-person delegates per day; applications must come through an RTO or convention bureau.
Queensland Events Funding assessment criteria
TEQ assesses events separately under each investment pathway. The reviewed public information does not specify a common weighted scoring framework across all three programs.
Major Event Investment – published investment outcomes
- Contribution to the Queensland economy.
- Ability to attract visitors to Queensland.
- Enhancement of Queensland’s profile.
- Contribution to community pride.
Homegrown – published objectives and eligibility considerations
- Potential to attract external visitors and increase visitor expenditure.
- Expected economic, social and community outcomes in the destination.
- Contribution to the destination’s profile and appeal.
- Demonstrated event history, visitor performance and readiness for the relevant funding stream.
Business Event Investment – eligibility and strategic alignment
- International event eligibility, delegate thresholds and evidence that the event remains in the bidding phase.
- Measurable tourism and economic impact, including alignment with Queensland priority industries and relevant tourism strategies.
- Eligible proposed funding uses and suitable arrangements for administering investment.
These are published outcomes and eligibility considerations, not a representation of an official percentage-weighted assessment rubric.
How do I get Queensland Events Funding support?
Applicants should demonstrate:
- The event’s location, format, history and suitability for the chosen TEQ stream.
- Visitor attraction, overnight stays, economic benefits and expected community outcomes.
- A credible event budget, requested support and other funding commitments.
- Evidence of international bidding and delegate estimates for business events, where relevant.
- A realistic delivery plan and alignment with the applicable TEQ requirements.
Information to prepare for the Queensland Events Funding application
- Organisation details, ABN and legal entity information.
- Event overview, location, schedule, past performance and projected attendance.
- Visitor origin, overnight visitation and expected economic impact estimates.
- Event budget, funding request, existing co-funding and proposed eligible uses.
- Marketing, delivery and growth plans, plus relevant partnerships and supporting evidence.
- For business events, bid timeline, daily delegate forecasts, international-delegate share and proposed funding administrator.
This is a practical preparation checklist, not a single mandatory document list for all three streams. Follow the instructions for the selected program.
Applying for Queensland Events Funding support
- Major Event Investment: complete the Major Event Checklist on TEQ’s official Major Event Investment page. Contact events@queensland.com for enquiries.
- Homegrown: apply through the relevant online stream on TEQ’s Destination Event Investment page when a funding round is open. TEQ encourages applicants to arrange a pre-application discussion; email homegrown@queensland.com.
- Business Event Investment: submit the initial enquiry through TEQ’s Business Events ALF SmartyGrants portal. Eligible applicants may then be invited to complete the full application. Email business.events@queensland.com for enquiries.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Queensland Events Funding resources
- Source – Major Event Investment
- Source – Destination Event Investment
- Source – Business Event Investment
- Register your interest
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