Major Event Fund

The Major Event Fund is an ACT Government funding program administered by VisitCanberra.

The ACT Government is committed to growing and nurturing Canberra’s visitor economy, along with developing and supporting a diverse events calendar that reflects the essence and character of the Canberra region.

The Major Event Fund supports this commitment by delivering a mechanism for investing in, supporting and leveraging major events in Canberra. It has been established to support major event opportunities that can:

• drive substantial economic impact for Canberra through event-based tourist visitation and visitor spend, and by filling identified gaps in Canberra’s annual events calendar.
• provide opportunities for marketing and promotion of the Canberra region to key domestic and (when applicable) international audiences.
• provide high quality, enticing event experiences which support and enhance the Canberra brand, generate city vibrancy and profile Canberra as a leading tourism and events destination.
• reflect, engage and involve Canberra’s diverse communities.

The cooperative nature of the Major Event Fund requires supplementary financial investment from event partners to fund the necessary acquisition, creation, development and operational delivery of proposed events.

Funding support will not be provided to underwrite events, and is not available to support business events such as conferences, conventions, trade shows and expos.

VisitCanberra considers and assesses Major Event Fund applications in line with the following criteria:

• Economic Benefit.
• Marketing Impact.
• Social and Community Benefit and Event Leveraging Opportunities.
• Event Management Capacity and Capability.

Applications to the Major Event Fund should ideally be submitted 6 months prior to the commencement of the event (where practical).

For more information on the Major Event Fund guidelines, funding objectives and eligibility requirements, please liaise with the contacts listed below.

Disclaimer: In accordance with the provisions of Section 100(1) of the Electoral Act 1992, the ACT will hold a general election for the Legislative Assembly on Saturday, 19 October 2024. The caretaker period begins at 12:00 am on 13 September 2024 and ends with the election of the Chief Minister on the first sitting day of the Legislative Assembly following the election. The continuation of the Major Event Fund grants following this general election is a decision for an incoming government. As a result, potential Major Event Fund grant applicants are advised that it is possible this grant program may not proceed.