Applications now open for event bids where international decisions take place before 30 June 2027, for travel completed by 31 December 2032. Photo Credit: iStock/FiledIMAGE
Tourism Australia is extending its Business Events Bid Fund Program through to 2032, offering financial support to help secure more international conferences, incentives and exhibitions for the country.
Applications are now open for event bids where international decisions take place before 30 June 2027, for travel completed by 31 December 2032.
Tourism Australia says the programme provides support at the critical bidding stage when competing against overseas destinations for association congresses, corporate meetings and incentives, and exhibitions.
Since launching in 2018, the fund has secured 221 bid wins worth A$1.5 billion (US$1.06 billion) to the Australian economy, delivering a reported 52-to-1 return on investment, according to the organisation.
Upcoming events backed by the programme include the International Federation of Fertility Societies World Congress 2027 in Brisbane in April 2027, estimated to contribute A$11 million; the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems 2028 in Sydney in October 2028, worth A$27.7 million; and the World Conference on Lung Cancer 2029 in Melbourne in September 2029, projected to generate A$34 million.
Australia’s business events sector represents significant economic opportunity. In 2025, the destination welcomed more than 730,000 international business events visitors in 2025. Business events travellers spent 55% more on average than leisure visitors, contributing A$3.96 billion in economic value to the national economy during the year.
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, said: “The Bid Fund works, and we’re keeping that momentum going. By extending support for events out to 2032, we’re giving planners the long-term certainty they need to choose Australia for years to come.”
Tourism Australia managing director, Robin Mack, added: “Tourism Australia values the positive impact of the Business Events Bid Fund Program to drive visitation to Australia and to support the Australian industry to bid on longer lead opportunities. “We have made a strategic decision to maintain momentum and extend the Bid Fund Program to support events travelling to Australia out to December 2032.”