NT Business Events Support Fund (NTBESF)

Purpose and Program Overview

The NT Business Events Support Fund (NTBESF) is designed to attract new business events to the Northern Territory (NT) by providing financial incentives to eligible organisations. The program aims to strengthen the NT’s position as a competitive destination for conferences, meetings, and exhibitions.

Through direct funding support, the program assists event organisers in offsetting costs associated with hosting business events in the NT. This encourages more organisations to consider the NT as a viable and attractive destination, supporting tourism, local suppliers, and service providers.

The broader objective is to stimulate economic growth by increasing visitation, driving delegate expenditure, and showcasing the NT as a hub for business and industry collaboration.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount/funding range: From $100 per delegate, up to a maximum of $100,000 per event
• Application open and close dates: Open year-round until funds are allocated
• Eligible industries/business types: Event organisers, associations, corporations, and PCOs hosting business events in the NT
• Required co-contributions: Applicants must demonstrate financial commitment to the event; the fund is a cost-offset mechanism
• Location applicability: Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine, and other NT regions)

Priority Sectors

• Priority is given to business events aligned with the NT Government’s economic and industry growth sectors, such as:
  • Mining, energy, and resources
  • Agribusiness
  • Health and medical research
  • Education and training
  • Defence and aerospace
  • Renewable energy and sustainability
• Open to other sectors where events contribute to NT’s economic benefit

Funding Scope

• Per delegate support: $100 per delegate (for delegates who travel to the NT and stay a minimum of three nights)
• Maximum funding: $100,000 per event
• Event categories supported: Conferences, conventions, meetings, and exhibitions
• Project timeline: Funding applies to events confirmed within the funding agreement period; support is paid post-event on confirmation of delegate numbers

Grant Amount in Total

The NT Government has allocated an ongoing annual budget pool to support eligible business events through the fund, capped at $100,000 per individual event.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a business event organiser, association, professional conference organiser (PCO), or corporate entity
• Events must be held in the Northern Territory
• Delegates must travel from interstate or overseas and stay a minimum of three nights in the NT
• Event must deliver measurable economic benefits to the NT (e.g., delegate expenditure, supplier engagement)
• Applicants must demonstrate financial investment in the event
• Applications must be submitted before the event takes place

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The fund supports:

• Delegate attendance (via per delegate incentive)
• Venue hire, accommodation, and hospitality packages (covered indirectly through delegate incentive)
• Local supplier and service provider engagement
• Event-related marketing and promotion that showcases the NT

Assessment Process

• The NT Business Events Support Fund program is competitive, assessed on merit and availability of funds
• Applications are evaluated against:
  • Alignment with NT priority industry sectors
  • Anticipated delegate numbers and length of stay
  • Economic impact on the NT economy
  • Value for money and return on investment
  • Capacity to deliver a successful event

Recent Program Updates

• Streamlined application process through NT Business Events
• Clear funding cap per event introduced ($100,000 maximum)
• Expanded recognition of priority industry sectors to align with NT’s Economic Development Framework

Application Tips

• Confirm delegate numbers and provide realistic forecasts in the application
• Demonstrate alignment with NT Government priority sectors
• Submit applications early, as funding is limited and allocated on a rolling basis
• Provide strong evidence of financial investment and event feasibility
• Engage with NT local suppliers to strengthen your proposal

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting with a professional grant specialist like Pattens Group. We offer initial assessments to review your eligibility and evaluate how well your event aligns with the grant’s objectives. You can also visit NT Business Events and related government websites for templates, application forms, and further guidance.