The Regional Events Fund supports events that bring thousands of visitors to regional Victoria, delivering economic impact, creating jobs, and supporting local business.
The Fund backs festivals, culinary, sporting and cultural events that showcase the vibrancy of Victoria’s regions.
Regional events highlight the incredible tourism offerings available throughout the state and bolster Victoria’s reputations as a world-class events destination.
Private companies, councils, Regional Tourism Boards/Visitor Economy Partnerships and not-for-profit organisations are invited to submit applications for events that meet the eligibility criteria and program objectives detailed in the Regional Events Fund Guidelines.
Support is available across three streams.
One off or ongoing major events.
Funding of up to $500,000 to grow the economic impact of medium to large-scale events.
Funding of up to $50,000 to build capability and support the marketing and operations of events that attract intrastate or interstate visitors.
Discuss your proposed event with Visit Victoria or your Regional Tourism Board or Visitor Economy Partnership. After this, you will be invited to submit a proposal if your event meets the Stream 1 criteria.
Read the Regional Events Fund Guidelines to ensure your event meets the funding criteria.
Discuss the event with your Regional Tourism Board or Visitor Economy Partnership. Their letter of support is required for applications to be considered.
Make your application online at the 'SmartyGrants' portal.
Stream 2 application link
Stream 3 application link
Please submit your application as early as possible.
| Round | Applications open | Applications close | Funding decision |
| 6 | 2 February 2026 | 23 March 2026 | May/June |
| 7 | 1 May 2026 | 30 June 2026 | August/September |
| 8 | 3 August 2026 | 30 September 2026 | November/December |
| 9 | 1 February 2027 | 30 March 2027 | May/June |
| 10 | 1 May 2027 | 30 June 2027 | August/September |
*Please note that the applications for Round 6 will close on March 23rd due to the Easter period
*Dates and timings are subject to change at the discretion of Visit Victoria
*Funding rounds will not open if funding is fully committed
Stream 3 funding is opened monthly each year, with the exclusion of December and January, through to June 30, 2027.
To start an application, click here.
Applications will be batched in the month received and assessed to align with a Stream 2 funding announcement window.
Applications received in the October and November funding rounds of each year can expect a funding decision in the January/February of the following year.
Applications will not be considered if the event is scheduled to start before the expected funding decision window.
Application received October/November
Funding announced January/February
Event cannot start before April
Your local Visitor Economy Partnershi is your first point of contact. Discuss your event with them at the earliest opportunity. They will work with you to determine the strength of your proposal and advise on the suitable funding stream.
You need a letter of support from the board for your application to be assessed. Contact details here.
The Regional Events Fund Guidelines outline the fund objectives, eligibility, application and assessment process.
If you have any questions in relation to the Regional Events Fund process, please send a regional event enquiry to [email protected].
Regional event enquiry