Destination Activation Grant - Major Event Attraction
The Destination Activation Grant provides funding to support tourism growth and enhance the night-time and off-peak economy (late autumn, winter and early spring) across the city, benefitting local businesses and the community.
A key focus is attracting and supporting large-scale major events and festivals, attracting approximately 2,500+ people with an emphasis on encouraging visitors from outside of the region and overnight stays in commercial accommodation. The event will be able to generate good local and state-based media coverage and attract national media attention, boosting the profile of destination McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast and the broader Fleurieu Peninsula region.
View Grant Guidelines(PDF, 314KB)
Key information summary
- Funding available: $7,500 - $30,000 (note: amounts recommended for funding over $10,000 require additional council approval which will add one month to the approval process)
- Applicant contribution: minimum 50%
- Event date: must be held in 2027
- Audience size: approximately 2,500+ people
- Location: events must be held within the City of Onkaparinga Local Government Area
- Application timing: Minimum 5 months before the event
- Opening date: 1 September 2026
- Closing date: until funds are exhausted
- Who can apply:
- Businesses
- Sole traders
- Individuals (including artists)
- Not-for-profits (incorporated bodies, co-operatives, trusts or associations including business and tourism associations).
- Public liability: $20 million.
Before applying
Before commencing a Major Event Attraction grant application, event organisers must contact the Tourism Team for an initial conversation. This allows us to:
Step 1. View Grant Guidelines(PDF, 314KB)
Step 2. Contact Tourism Team
Application process
- View Grant Guidelines(PDF, 314KB)
- Contact Tourism Team
- Discuss your event concept with an independent business advisor - FREE for City of Onkaparinga businesses
- Confirm eligibility
- Receive SmartyGrants application link
- Submit application and supporting documents at least 5 months prior to your event
- Grant panel assessments:
- 2026: Oct and Dec
- 2027: Feb, Apr and June
- Note: applications need to be submitted the month prior to the assessment meeting.
- Grant outcome notification: one week following assessment panel meeting unless requiring additional council approval
- Funding agreement signed and returned
- Payment: within 30 days of signed funding agreement received
- Event delivery
- Event survey templates available below
- Grant acquittal: within 8 weeks of event delivery.
Funding priorities
The grant assessment panel will be seeking:
- Significant direct economic benefit to the city
- Night-time, winter or off-peak periods being targeted
- Visitor attraction potential (SA and interstate visitors)
- Overnight stays in commercial accommodation
- Destination strengths alignment
- Marketing and media exposure
- Event quality and capability to deliver
- Sustainable and inclusive approaches.
Documents to review
Grant Guidelines(PDF, 314KB)
Tips, Checklist and Resources Guide(PDF, 212KB)
Destination Brand Profile(PDF, 233KB)
Destination Map(PDF, 213KB)
Application templates available
Event Management Plan Template
Budget Template
Marketing Plan Template
Waste Management Template
Risk Assessment Template
Survey templates available
Ticketed Event Survey - Single Day
Ticketed Event Survey - Multiple Day
Non-ticketed Event Survey - Single Day
Non-ticketed Event Survey - Multiple Day
Frequently asked questions
When does the Major Event Attraction grant open and close?
Grant opens 1 September 2026 and closes when funds are exhausted.
How much event funding can be applied for?
From $7,500 up to $30,000 per event with a minimum of 50% towards total event cost which may comprise cash, ticket sales, sponsorships or in-kind support e.g. materials.
When does the event need to be held?
Applications must be received at least five months prior to the commencement of the event. Events must occur in 2027.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes:
- Businesses
- Sole traders
- Individuals (including artists)
- Not-for-profits (incorporated bodies, co-operatives, trusts or associations including business and tourism associations).
Please note that a certificate of currency for $20 million public liability insurance to cover the event is required.
The Major Event Attraction grant is open to applicants across Australia, but the event itself must take place within the City of Onkaparinga local government area in South Australia.
How do I apply?
Information needs to be provided to the Tourism Team in the first instance. Events aligning with the grant will be provided with a link to the application form using the SmartyGrants platform.
Contact us
What supporting information is required?
Supporting documents include:
Is there any help available to apply?
Businesses within the City of Onkaparinga can access the Southern Business Mentoring Program to support the development of your event and grant application. One free appointment is available with each advisor either online, phone or in person.
Review the grant writing made simple guide.
Templates are available for:
If I apply, will my application be funded?
Applying does not guarantee that your application will be funded. The panel may recommend full, partial or no funding. Where part funding may be recommended, this decision is carefully considered with the view of maintaining the integrity of the application.
How is the Major Event Attraction Grant assessed?
An eligibility check is undertaken, and eligible applications are assessed by a grant panel.
Assessment meetings occur every two months as follows:
- 2026: October and December.
- 2027: February, April and June.
Please note: applications need to be submitted the month prior to the assessment meeting i.e. to be assessed in the October panel meeting the application must be submitted in September.
How quickly is an outcome notified?
Following a panel assessment meeting, outcomes are generally notified within one week. Please note if the amount of funding recommended is over $10,000, then a report to council is required, which adds one month onto the grant approval process.
Grant payments are made within 30 days of the signed funding agreement being returned.
What types of major events were funded through this grant in 2026?
- Fleurieu Biennale Art Prize (art focus)
- DayDance McLaren Vale (music focus)
- Grenache & Gourmet (food and wine focus)
- Webex Player Series South Australia (sport focus)