The Australian Federal government business events grant program opened for applications on January 4th 2021, and means certain businesses that qualify will be able to receive grants for conferences in 2021.

If you’ve found your plans to host, participate in or attend certain professional conferences or events have been affected due to the financial strain of COVID-19, your business could be eligible for grants between $10,000 to $250,000.

This applies to pre-approved events held between the dates of the 1^st of January 2021 and the 31st of December 2021.

The objective of the grants program is to:

• support delegates that are buying or selling to participate in ‘business events’. Business events includes exhibitions, conferences, and conventions
• promote Australian businesses, including to a domestic audience.

By providing a level of funding for conferences, the Australian Government hopes to restart Australian businesses in 2021.

Approved events are listed on the Schedule of Approved Business Events on the Austrade program website. The Schedule of Approved Business Events will be updated from time to time as new events will be added once approved. It is therefore important that you check the list at the time you submit your application. A list of eligibility criteria and the application process for the schedule of events, along with the relevant priority sectors will be published on the Austrade program website.

Most eligible business events align with one or more of the below priority sectors. Businesses applying for a grant will also need to demonstrate alignment with a priority sector and that the sector benefits from attendance and participation in the event.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible you must have an ABN and be one of the following entities:

• an individual (sole trader)
• a partnership
• a company, incorporated in Australia
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
• an Industry Association promoting the selling or buying of a product or service on behalf of its members.

Applications will only be accepted where:

• you intend to register to attend one or more of the events on the Schedule of Approved Business Events
• your attendance at an approved event will assist your business to do one or more of the following:
• develop your marketplace diversification (particularly to the domestic market)
• improve supply chain value and resilience for the Australian economy
• enhance your ability to pivot to new markets
• support Australia’s regional economy
• your business aligns with a government priority sector and the sector benefits from your attendance and participation in the event
• you have a minimum of $20,000 in total eligible project expenditure
• you can provide evidence from your board (or chief executive officer or equivalent if there is no board) that the project is supported, and that you can complete the project and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding.

The priority sectors are:

• Mining
• Food and agribusiness
• Oil and gas
• Medical products
• Clean energy
• Plastics and waste recycling
• Defence
• Space
• Enabling digital technologies
• Tourism
• Design
• Fashion
• Media

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

• unincorporated association
• any organisation not included in section 5.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines
• a trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
• a Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government body (including government business enterprises)
• a non-corporate Commonwealth entity.

For further information on whether you are eligible click here for these conference grants – please note: applications close on March 30^th!

Program guidelines and application information is available at business.gov.au. Applications will be submitted through the Business Grants Hub. Grant funding will cover up to 50 per cent of costs incurred in participating at a pre-approved business to business event for both buyers and/or sellers during the 2021 calendar year.

Questions about grant applications, eligibility or the program guidelines should be directed to the Business Grants Hub by calling 13 28 46 or email [email protected].

You should read the grant opportunity guidelines and sample grant agreement before you apply.

To apply, you must submit your application through the online portal below. You’ll need to set up an account when you first log into the portal. The portal allows you to apply for and manage a grant or service in a secure online environment.

Apply now for the Business Events grant opportunity

Before you apply, make sure you:

• read the guidelines
• read the grant agreement
• check the Schedule of Approved events
• check your priority sector

Apply Now

If you'd like to find out more about how these grants can assist you with planning your next business event, meeting, conference or convention at Christie Spaces; you can make a direct enquiry with our staff:

Matt Eagers -

0425 242 686

North Sydney Conference Centre 

Rachel Olsen - 

0411 872 333

Brisbane Conference Centre