Apply now for Queensland Destination Events Program (Round 30) – Australia

Supported through Tourism and Events Queensland, QDEP has invested more than $20M across 760 events since its inception in 2015.

Aims and Objectives

• Generate local economic activity and development in the host destination
• Attract external visitation to the destination
• Drive social and community outcomes for the host destination, noting the important link between community outcomes and economic benefits
• Enhance the profile and appeal of the host destination.

Funding Information

• QDEP funding comprises two categories:
  • Destination Event Funding
    • Funding Period: 1 year only
    • Maximum Number of Successful Applications: Up to a maximum of 5 applications
    • Funding Amount: From $10,000 to $25,000 (ex GST) per year (please note, funding of no more than 25% of the total event cash expense budget may be applied for)
  • Significant Event Funding
    • Funding Period: From 1 to 3 years
    • Maximum Number of Successful Applications: No maximum number of applications
    • Funding Amount: From $25,000 to $100,000 (ex GST) per year (please note, funding of no more than 25% of the total event cash expense budget may be applied for).

Approved Funding Uses

• Destination Event Funding:
  • Marketing costs to attract out of region visitors
  • Strategic plan development
  • Engagement of short-term specialised personnel
  • Hire of temporary infrastructure to improve the visitor experience, accessibility, sustainability, and/or encourage increased tourism outcomes (infrastructure must be above and beyond standard operations).
• Significant Event Funding:
  • Flexibility within appropriate boundaries and with appropriate justification.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility Applications are assessed on their ability to meet the QDEP aims and objectives, which includes driving visitation and generating economic activity and development for the destination. If you are unsure whether your event is eligible, or you feel your event should be considered for funding, please contact the QDEP team.
  • Destination Event Funding:
    • Location: The event must be held in the same location each year. Please note, if an event is new to the host destination it will be considered a new event proposition, and therefore not eligible. The second staging of the event will be eligible.
    • Funding Request: Funding of no more than 25% of the total event cash expenditure budget may be applied for. Applications for amounts over 25% of your budget will be deemed ineligible and will NOT be considered for assessment. EG for a $10,000 funding request the minimum event budget would be $40,000 ($40,000 / $10,000 *100 = 25%).
    • Previous Funding: Any events currently receiving financial support from TEQ under QDEP and/or any other source is not eligible. Events that have previously received funding must be successfully acquitted before applying again. Events that have previously failed to acquit a TEQ grant is not eligible to apply until two further editions of the event have taken place.
    • Event Profile Baseline: The applicant must be able to demonstrate the historical size of the event in terms of: Audience, Spectator numbers, Participant numbers, and/or Media profile.
    • Event Growth Potential: The applicant must be able to demonstrate the capacity for the event to grow against its baseline outcomes.
    • The following types of events are NOT eligible: Business events (conferences, seminars, symposiums, presentations, etc.), National or State championships, Event series that are hosted in multiple locations across the state or country through the year, Anniversaries/centenaries, commemorative events, Trade shows/Exhibitions, Award ceremonies, and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
    • Status of Event Organiser: The applicant must be a Queensland based business, have an Australian Business Number (ABN), be either a Corporation registered with ASIC, an Incorporated Association, Queensland Government body or other body corporate. Applications from individuals will only be accepted at the absolute discretion of TEQ.
  • Significant Event Funding:
    • Location: As for destination event funding.
    • Funding Request: As for destination event funding.
    • Previous Funding from TEQ: The event must have received destination event support for at least one year and successfully acquitted and fulfilled all contract requirements.
    • Event Profile Baseline: As for destination event funding.
    • Event Growth Potential: The event must provide a recent report showing evidence of the total number of event attendees (including participants and spectators), specifically detailing the breakdown and number of visitors from outside the region; this information must be independently gathered and reported, or independently verified. The event must present a strong opportunity for Queensland and demonstrate extensive recognition outside the region in which it is held in terms of visitation and/or media profile.
    • Type of Event: As for destination event funding.
    • Status of Event Organiser: As for destination event funding.

For more information, visit Tourism and Events Queensland.