Federal Government announces $50m grant for Australia’s business events industry

The Federal Government has confirmed a $50m grant for Australia’s business events industry, part of the government’s $1bn COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund which supports sectors severely impacted by the pandemic.

The grant will enable organisers of business events, such as conferences and exhibitions, to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50 per cent of their costs (between $10,000 and $250,000).

The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) reports COVID-19 has cost Australia’s visitor economy $35.7bn. The Australian events industry was one of the first industries to be hit by the pandemic, with 96% of business events scheduled for 2020 cancelled or postponed in March.  The industry, which is the employer of 229,000 people, is also expected to have one of the longest recovery periods.

BECA chair Dr Vanessa Findlay