australian government tourism grants

Federal Government support for tourism businesses

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

*Disclaimer:  The information on this website is presented in good faith and on the basis that Tourism Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given in this website. Tourism Australia wishes to advise people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent that this website may contain images of persons now deceased.

Strengthening Australian businesses, tourism and visitor economy through grant support.

Austrade administers export and tourism grants on behalf of the Australian Government.

Export and tourism grants:

• help Australian businesses export products and services
• support our tourism industry and visitor economy.

Open grant applications

There are no current open grants accepting applications. Please check back soon.

Closed grant applications

The following grants are closed for applications but still being administered.

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)

Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program helps small and medium Australian businesses start and grow exports in international markets.

Supporting Australian tourism and travel package

Supporting the hospitality, tourism and travel industry.

Reviving International Tourism Grant

Supporting Australian business development and marketing post pandemic.

Choose Tourism Grant

Support to attract workers to the tourism industry.

Caravan Parks Grant Program

Supporting eligible caravan parks with plans for infrastructure upgrades.​

Business Events Grants Program

Recovery for the business events sector and suppliers affected by COVID-19.

Completed tourism grants

We are no longer administering these  completed tourism grants .

More information

For more information or to log in to access individual grant and eligibility requirements, visit Grants Connect .

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Grants and funding for tourism businesses

You can benefit from funding and grants aimed at improving your tourism businesses’ resilience, growth, capabilities and market share.

Tourism industry grants

QTIC Grants Gateway – Queensland Tourism Industry Council Information on relevant funding programs and grants for the tourism industry. Free for QTIC members. Non-members can purchase an annual subscription to access the Gateway.

Tourism Business Digital Adaptation Program

The Tourism Business Digital Adaption Program provides industry businesses with a rebate of up to $2,500 and free support to improve digital capabilities.

Tourism investment programs

Learn about Tourism and Events Queensland event investment programs .

Explore events in 3 major program groups:

• Queensland Destination Events Program
• major events
• business events.

Queensland government grants

Use the Queensland Government grants finder to search for other support for your business.

Learn more about finding grants and business support .

Preparing a grant application

• Learn how to find grants and other business support in Queensland.
• Find out how to prepare and apply for a grant .
• Read more about funding your business , planning your funding requirements, understanding types of finance available and choosing the best funding option.

Also consider...

• View previous funding programs , recipients and case studies for the tourism industry.
• Learn about the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) and other assistance offered by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.
• Search the Australian Government's grants and programs finder tool to help find funding and assistance.
• Find out what support is available for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people to access the skills, knowledge and resources required to start and grow viable and sustainable businesses.
• Last reviewed: 27 Jun 2024
• Last updated: 26 Jul 2024

Grants and funding

Exploring grant opportunities.

Applying for grants and funding is one way tourism operators can further enhance their businesses. Grants programs currently managed by the SATC include the Mid Murray Tourism Recovery Fund, Experience Nature Tourism Fund and Regional Event Fund .

Read on to find out more, including grants and funding opportunities available through other government agencies.

Experience Nature Tourism Fund

The $2 million Experience Nature Tourism Fund aims to spur investment in nature-based tourism experiences and make South Australia more competitive in luring domestic and international tourists.

A total of 33 nature tourism products and experiences have been granted funding under the first two rounds of the Experience Nature Tourism Fund. 

To date, a total of nearly $1 million in grants will unlock almost $1.6 million in combined project value.

Mid Murray Tourism Recovery Fund

Mid Murray River tourism operators significantly impacted by the once-in-a-century flooding event will receive additional $500,000 in funding to support the return to full operations, staff upskilling, marketing activities and funding for events. 

This includes the new Mid Murray River Tourism Business Support Program, with grants of up to $50,000 allocated to businesses in low-lying regions, such as caravan parks. 

Tourism Industry Development Fund

The $20 million Tourism Industry Development Fund (TIDF) ran from 2020 until 2022. In that time, it funded 114 projects across the state, unlocking $82.7 million worth of new and improved tourism infrastructure.

Over half of these projects are now complete, with the remainder expected to come online in 2023.

State and Federal Government grants

Grants and programs finder, state government funding programs, regional development australia (rda), federal funding programs.

• business.gov.au
• Department of Primary Industries and Regions  
• Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
• RDA Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island RDA Adelaide Hills & Coast Grant Finder Funding Finder (grantguru.com.au)
• RDA Limestone Coast Grants and Funding - Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast (rdalc.org.au)
• RDA Barossa, Gawler, Light, Adelaide Plains Grants - RDA Barossa Gawler Light Adelaide Plains
• RDA Far North Grants and Funding Information (rdafn.com.au)
• RDA Murraylands and Riverland Grants and Funding Information (rdamr.com.au)
• RDA Eyre Peninsula Funding Opportunities - Regional Development Australia Eyre Peninsula (rdaep.org.au)
• RDA Yorke and Mid North Grants - Regional Development Australia Yorke & Mid North (yorkeandmidnorth.com.au)
• Export Market Development Grants

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• Minister for Trade and Tourism
• Special Minister of State

Senator the Hon Don Farrell

• Media Releases
• Transcripts

$6M for First Nations tourism businesses

• Joint media release with:
• The Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians

The Albanese Labor Government is supporting diverse and unique experiences for both domestic and international visitors, providing $6 million in grants to more than 100 First Nations tourism businesses and community organisations across the country.

With international visitor numbers rising post-pandemic, it's a great time to invest in the sector and ensure First Nations tourism operators are well placed to benefit from the ongoing recovery of Australia's tourism industry.

First Nations cultural tourism businesses offer unique, immersive experiences which are increasingly in demand from visitors. This funding will enable First Nation businesses to meet this interest.

Some of the successful grant recipients include:

• Brewarrina Aboriginal Corporation, NSW to build an extension to the current museum tourism services and improve hospitality services, including accommodation.
• Watjan Tours , Daly River, NT to purchase a multipurpose excavator to maintain key roads and campsites after the wet season, offering travellers greater access.
• Wijingarra Tours, North-West Kimberley, WA is proceeding with the installation of a solar power generator, allowing staff to remain on-site during the peak tourism season.
• Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation of Laura, Cape York, QLD to build a new arts and craft gallery, renovate its studio and purchase a commercial coffee machine.
• Something Wild Australia , Adelaide, SA to begin Indigenous food and beverage masterclasses at the Adelaide Central Market.
• Judumul Aboriginal Corporation , Cooglardie, WA, to support the development of a showcase of Coolgardie both within a gallery environment and with guided tours lead by local Elders.
• Ayeye Atyenhe Art , Alice Springs, NT to purchase a vehicle, purchase materials for their workshops and develop a marketing campaign.
• Castlereagh Connect, Coonabarabran, NSW , offers unique dining experiences and events on-Country. The funding will go towards a new vehicle with mobile catering facilities.

Grants of up to $50,000 were available for First Nations owned tourism operators and up to $100,000 for First Nations community organisations.

The First Nations tourism grants contribute to the Australian Government's delivery of

THRIVE 2030: the national strategy for Australia's visitor economy recovery and return to sustainable growth.

THRIVE 2030 aims to diversify tourism experiences and increase job opportunities, skill development and economic participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney:

“The Albanese Government is pleased to support Indigenous tourism businesses. “Supporting First Nations tourism operators presents an opportunity to highlight Australia's unique visitor experience and celebrate the world's oldest living continuous cultures. “Right across Australia, there are so many opportunities to experience First Nations culture with hundreds of fantastic Indigenous tourism enterprises offering unique ways to see our country, through the lens of Indigenous people.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism Don Farrell:

“These tourism grants provide an excellent opportunity to expand the supply of authentic cultural experiences, provided by First Nations businesses and community organisations.” “Visitors, both domestic and international, are increasingly looking for unique, rich and immersive experiences, and this funding will ensure our First Nations businesses can grow their high-quality offerings.” “First Nations tourism experiences are an incredibly important part of the Australian tourism industry, sharing the oldest living culture with visitors from across the world.”

Media enquiries

• Minister's office: 02 6277 7420
• DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555

Choose Tourism Grant Program

SmartyTip: Don’t miss any of your deadlines! This is one of the busiest times of the year for applications that are due by June 30 (end of financial year for many funders). Plan ahead now to avoid any rush and submit your application well before its due date.

There are no rounds available for Choose Tourism Grant Program at the moment.

The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s international trade promotion and investment attraction agency. We generate market information and insights, promote Australian capability, and facilitate connections through our extensive global network.

In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Grants Information

• Austrade - Choose Tourism Grant Program
• Email: [email protected]

Technical Assistance

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• Phone: 03 9320 6888
• Email: [email protected]
• Technical help guide for applicants
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Grants and support

There are a range of grants and programs available to tourism businesses that can support the delivery of Victoria’s renowned and varied tourism destinations.

Grants and programs

Find out more about the Regional Tourism Investment Fund.

Learn more about how the Enabling Tourism Fund can help your tourism project.

Learn about the Visitor Servicing Fund recipients' projects and how they will support the tourism industry.

Get help to identify opportunities for investment and support for your tourism project.

Learn more about funded tourism infrastructure projects and their success stories.

Explore and request a range of investment tools and templates to help your business.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, their ongoing connection to this land and we pay our respects to their culture and their Elders past, present and future.

© 2023 Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions

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