Funding and Grants
Below is a listing of specific tourism funding and grants programs available to NSW tourism businesses.
Note: This list may not be exhaustive and it is recommended that you also conduct your own investigations:
- see our Industry Contacts page for key organisations to get in touch with
- see the Other Government Support page for information about other types of services available to boost your business.
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism: TQUAL Grants
TQUAL Grants – Tourism Quality Projects is now open for applications. Funding of between $15,000 (plus GST) and $100,000 (plus GST) is available.
TQUAL Grants is a competitive merit based grants program that aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth in the Australian tourism industry by making funding available for tourism projects that enhance and refresh Australia’s tourism offering and its competitiveness as a destination.
For more information, go to www.ret.gov.au/tqual, phone 13 28 46 or email tqualgrants@ret.gov.au
Enterprise, Small Business & Regional Development
Enterprise, Small Business & Regional Development provides a range of business assistance, including financial support in some cases, for start-ups through to established ventures. Other support available includes such services as free advice, mentoring programs and business kits.
For more information, phone 02 9338 6600 or go to www.business.nsw.gov.au or www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au.
AusIndustry: Business Ready Program for Indigenous Tourism
This program assists existing and start-up Indigenous tourism businesses to develop the skills and knowledge required to establish and run a commercially viable tourism operation. The program funds business mentors to work directly with a portfolio of businesses to transfer skills to individuals in all aspects of small business and the tourism industry.
For more information, phone 13 28 46 or go to the AusIndustry website.
Tourism Research Australia: Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Program (VPS)
Tourism Research Australia (now a branch of Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism) provides research information that supports improved decision making, marketing and tourism industry performance for the Australian community. The aim of the Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Program is to provide the opportunity for regional tourism destinations to undertake research surveys specific to the destination and assist informed decision making to support growth of sustainable tourism products.
For more information go to: ret.gov.au
Tourism NSW: Sydney Tourism Precinct Funding Program
This program aims to promote tourism destinations and events within the Greater Sydney metropolitan area. The program offers all 37 councils, together with industry and event organisers, funding support for cooperative destination marketing campaigns and for event promotion. Read more...
Tourism NSW: Regional Tourism Partnership Program
The Regional Tourism Partnership Program has been developed by Tourism NSW in consultation with the Forum of Regional Tourism Organisations (FORTO) as part of the NSW Tourism Strategy. The objective of the program is to increase visitation to regional NSW by expanded promotion of regional NSW as a tourist destination.
The program includes funding of $5.133 million each calendar year from 2009 through 2011. Read more….
Tourism NSW: Regional Flagship Events program
Tourism NSW’s Regional Flagship Events program supports events with tourism potential in regional New South Wales to serve as flagships for the region – building its image and boosting visitation numbers. Since 1996, 186 events have been funded under this program, to the tune of almost $4.2 million.
Tourism NSW funds a $10,000 per event Annual Program and a $20,000 per event Triennial Program, to help events that can demonstrate their significance for local tourism.
For more information, see the Regional Flagship Events page or phone David Moretti on (02) 9931 1466.
Tourism NSW: International Incentive Funding
Tourism NSW and Tourism Australia run a range of overseas missions, workshops and trade shows to showcase the tourism industry to key international markets.
Tourism NSW has established an International Industry Incentive Fund to provide incentives for members of the NSW tourism industry (either product supplier or destination representative) to attend Tourism NSW missions, new product workshops or nominated Tourism Australia international tradeshows. Read more...