Territory Events Program (TEP) NT

Purpose and Program Overview

The Territory Events Program (TEP) is the Northern Territory Government’s primary funding mechanism for supporting the delivery of events across the Territory. Administered by Tourism and Events NT (TENT), the program replaces the former Event Funding Program and represents a renewed funding model designed to strengthen the way event activity is supported across the NT.

The program is intended to grow the Territory’s visitor economy, restore the Territory lifestyle, and support delivery of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2032. Funded events are expected to contribute to measurable outcomes such as increased visitation and visitor expenditure, extended length of stay, growth in shoulder-season and off-peak travel, and strengthened destination branding for the Northern Territory. The program also recognises the community value of events, supporting activity that brings Territorians together and builds civic pride, particularly in regional and remote communities.

From the 2026–27 funding year, the program is moving from two funding rounds a year to a single annual round. This change is intended to provide event organisers with greater lead time, more certainty over funding outcomes, and a reduced administrative burden, in exchange for more detailed upfront planning and earlier application preparation.

Key Grant Details

• Funding range: Varies by stream, from up to $25,000 (Activation Fund) to up to $500,000 (Tourism Enablers); Major Events funding is uncapped and assessed on merit
• Applications open: 9 September 2026
• Applications close: 9 October 2026
• Assessment period: 12–30 October 2026
• Outcomes advised: Prior to 16 November 2026
• Eligible entities: Incorporated not-for-profits, local government councils and shires, registered businesses and event companies, sporting/cultural/arts organisations, and industry bodies or consortia auspiced by an eligible entity
• Co-contribution required: Yes — Tourism and Events NT will not fund more than 50% of total event expenditure under any stream
• Location applicability: Events held in, or substantially benefiting, the Northern Territory

Priority Sectors

The guidelines do not restrict funding to a single industry sector. Instead, priority is given to events that align with three Northern Territory Government strategic priorities:

• Rebuilding the Territory Economy — events with a measurable contribution to local business turnover and the visitor economy
• Restoring the Territory Lifestyle — events that strengthen community connection, participation and a sense of place
• Delivering the Visitor Economy Strategy 2032 — events that drive visitation, extend length of stay, and build the Territory’s tourism profile.

Within this framework, the program is open to a broad range of event types, including sporting, cultural, arts, lifestyle and major destination events.

Funding Scope

The Territory Events Program is structured across four funding streams. Applicants apply to the stream that best matches their event’s scale, maturity and strategic contribution.

• Major Events: Marquee, nationally or internationally significant events. Investment is not fixed or indicative; it is determined on merit. Funding may be offered for up to three years, subject to demonstrated performance.
• Tourism Enablers: $0 to $500,000. For events with proven or emerging capacity to extend visitor length of stay, drive shoulder or off-peak travel, or open new visitor markets. Multi-year partnerships of up to three years may be available.
• Community and Lifestyle: $0 to $150,000. For events that strengthen community participation, identity and liveability. Agreements are generally offered for one year, with renewal considered on performance.
• Activation Fund: $0 to $25,000. For activation of key precincts connected to major events, such as live sites, fan zones and public viewing areas. This stream remains open year-round rather than tied to the fixed application round.

Eligibility Criteria

Generally eligible:

• Incorporated not-for-profit associations and community organisations
• Local government councils and shires
• Registered businesses and event companies delivering eligible public events
• Sporting, cultural and arts organisations with appropriate governance
• Industry bodies and consortia auspiced by an eligible entity.

Generally not eligible:

• Unincorporated individuals or informal groups, unless auspiced by an eligible entity
• Entities with overdue acquittals or unresolved compliance issues with TENT or the Department of Tourism and Hospitality
• NT Government agencies seeking to fund core or business-as-usual functions
• Entities under insolvency administration, or with a history of event non-delivery
• Political parties, or events whose primary purpose is fundraising for a political party or candidate

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Generally supported:

• Public, ticketed or open-access events held in, or substantially benefiting, the NT
• Event delivery costs, including venue, production, safety and traffic management, and marketing
• Precinct or fan-zone activation tied to a major domestic or international event (Activation Fund)
• Capability-building activity, including planning, governance, risk and sustainability uplift
• Multi-year event development where a credible growth pathway is demonstrated
• Enhanced marketing and destination promotion that extends an event’s reach into interstate or international visitor markets

Generally not supported:

• Private, closed or invitation-only functions with no public visitation or community benefit
• Core organisational overheads unrelated to the specific funded event, such as general staff salaries
• Capital works, permanent infrastructure or assets retained beyond the event
• Events whose primary purpose is commercial promotion of a single product or business
• Trade, awards, business and expo-style events, and agriculture or market-style events, which typically have existing industry or local government funding pathways

Assessment Process

The Territory Events Program is competitive and merit-based. Applications are assessed against a consistent framework, with weighting varying by funding stream to reflect different stream objectives:

• Alignment with Stream Outcomes (35%): Evidence of anticipated economic, tourism, community and social impact relevant to the nominated stream
• Delivery Capability (25%): Organisational governance, planning, risk management and operational readiness
• Marketing, Audience and Reach (20%): Quality and reach of marketing activity, audience development and media opportunities
• Value for Investment (20%): Financial viability of the event, appropriateness of the funding request, and value represented for the Northern Territory

Demand for the program regularly exceeds available funding, meaning not all eligible applications are funded. Priority is given to applications demonstrating the strongest contribution to program objectives.

Recent Program Updates

• The Event Funding Program has been rebranded and restructured as the Territory Events Program (TEP), effective for the 2026–27 funding year
• The program has moved from two funding rounds a year to a single annual round
• A new fourth stream, the Activation Fund, has been introduced to support precinct and fan-zone activations connected to major events
• Information sessions are being held in more locations than in previous years, including a second virtual session added after the application period opens

Application Tips

• Confirm eligibility against both the entity criteria and the activity criteria before applying, including co-contribution obligations
• Select the funding stream that best matches the event’s scale and strategic contribution, noting that Tourism and Events NT may recommend an alternative stream during assessment
• Prepare governance, financial and delivery capability documentation in advance, given the greater lead time required under the single annual round
• Align the application narrative with the three NT Government strategic priorities and the relevant stream’s assessment weighting
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes, such as visitor expenditure, length of stay, or community participation, supported by clear data where available
• Engage early with the Territory Events Program team to clarify questions or seek feedback on a previously unsuccessful application

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the Territory Events Program NT and other associated Australian government websites.