Member Login
Business Events Bid Fund Program changes welcomed
16 Aug 2019 | Media Release
Australian Chamber-Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations, welcomes changes to the Government’s $12 million Business Events Bid Fund Program announced today by the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator, the Hon Simon Birmingham.
Changes include:
- Lowering the number of international delegates confirmed for Association events from 500 currently to 400;
- Lowering the number of international delegates confirmed for Incentive events of a minimum value of $3 million from 1,000 currently to 700;
- Lowering the level of matched funds required from applicants from $100,000 currently to $50,000;
- Extending applications for event travel up to 30 December 2024.
“Business Events is a critical part of Australia’s visitor economy with over $13.5 billion in direct value added in 2013-14,” Australian Chamber-Tourism Executive Chair John Hart said.
“Changes made to the Business Events Bid Fund program will facilitate and support greater numbers of bids, particularly from smaller centres hosting conferences, exhibitions and conventions, increasing the number of business events in Australia.
“This will create flow-on benefits to small and medium business in regional centres, boosting visitation and spend as well as growing employment.
“Over 180,000 direct jobs were created by business events in 2013-14 and this number has grown rapidly over the past decade.
“These positive changes will go a long way in supporting organisations to attract new business events to Australia.”
Related News
Business calls for IR flexibilities to be reintroduced
21/07/2021
Business is urging Prime Minister Scott Morrison to reinstate the temporary industrial relations flexibilities in the Fair Work Act when Parliament resumes as a means of supporting...
Emissions reduction should stimulate trade flows, not disrupt them
20/07/2021
Australian made and manufactured products may become more expensive when sold in the European Union under plans for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The measures,...
Business support package will save jobs and livelihoods
13/07/2021
As the COVID crisis in Greater Sydney deepens, the Federal Government’s joint assistance package with the NSW Government offers a very timely lifeline to thousands of...
Vaccine ramp up welcome but more support needed for lockdowns
12/07/2021
The earlier arrival of millions more Pfizer doses, brought forward into late July and August, is a turning point in Australia's COVID-19 vaccination rollout but there...
Punitive payroll taxes put productivity last
6/07/2021
Australia’s economic recovery is at risk without a commitment from federal and state governments to pursue major payroll tax reforms that will strengthen our international...
COVID four-phase plan: 'Triggers' are next crucial step
2/07/2021
National Cabinet has made significant progress today by agreeing to take into account the vaccination and risk status of travellers as part of its four-phase...
Labour shortages to hit manufacturing
29/06/2021
Australia's manufacturing sector has bounced back from sharp declines last year, however its expansion is being hampered by labour shortages not seen in 14 years, the latest...
Prosperity of future generations at risk
28/06/2021
The release of the fifth Intergenerational Report today paints a sobering picture of Australia's future, as the nation continues to struggle from the widespread and protracted...
ACCI appoints new CEO
28/06/2021
The President and Board of the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry are pleased to announce Andrew McKellar as ACCI’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday,...
Working Holiday Visa Changes a Tourism Lifeline
23/06/2021
Tourism and hospitality businesses in northern and remote Australia struggling with labour and skill shortages and hard hit by COVID-19 restrictions will be important beneficiaries of the changes to...
Migration changes address skills and labour shortages
22/06/2021
Thousands of businesses will be able to step up productivity and output as a result of changes made to Australia's Priority Migration Skilled Occupations List (PMSOL)...
New trade taskforce must act fast on competitiveness
18/06/2021
A new trade taskforce set up to cut copious amounts of red tape and regulation must move quickly or Australia's global competitiveness will continue to rapidly decline....
$3.6 billion wages hike to hurt small businesses most
17/06/2021
The Fair Work Commission's decision to hike up award wages by 2.5 per cent disproportionately affects industries which have been hurt the most by COVID-19...
Freer Australia-Singapore travel must be adopted soon
11/06/2021
Quarantine-free travel between Australia and Singapore is an important step to reopening our country to the rest of the world, offering a lifeline to many businesses reliant...
Blueprint for Australia's trade future
4/06/2021
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in partnership with the University of South Australia and supported by ANZ, has released its 2021 National Trade...
Relief for many small business owners in WHS review
21/05/2021
Common sense has prevailed after industrial manslaughter offences were not widely adopted across the country, in a meeting of Australian Ministers for Work Health and...
ACCI releases staged international reopening plan
20/05/2021
ACCI has published a plan to successfully reopen Australia to other countries in a series of controlled, risk-proportionate stages which will minimise the economic and social impacts of COVID-19...
Tourism support will fall short without open borders
11/05/2021
The single most important outcome for the tourism, hospitality and accommodation industries after tonight’s Federal Budget is a commitment to reopening Australia. “It is vital...
Business-boosting Budget will need a bigger Australia
11/05/2021
Business investment, productivity and participation measures announced in tonight’s 2021-2022 Federal Budget will be crucial as we transition our economy from being stimulus-reliant to market...
Visa changes deliver much needed skills and labour solutions
10/05/2021
The changes to visa arrangements announced today will address some of the most critical labour and skills issues facing the tourism, hospitality and veterinarian sectors....