Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund Grants Frequently Asked Questions

Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund Grants – Frequently Asked Questions

Section (1) General

1.How do I apply for a TIRF Grant?

2.What grant assistance is available?

3.What types of projects will be funded under the Program?

4.What is Tourism 2020?

5.What is T-QUAL Accreditation?

6.Is T-QUAL Accreditation a mandatory requirement to apply for a TIRF Grant?

7.What are the differences between the TIRF Grants and TQUAL Grants (Tourism Quality Projects) programs?

8.Can I submit multiple applications to the TIRF Program?

9.If I complete more than one application, do I have to divide $250,000 between the applications?

10.Can I apply for funding from another Commonwealth Government program at the same time as applying for this program?

11.Can I apply for a grant under the TIRF Grants Program if I have received another Commonwealth grant (e.g. T-QUAL Grants)?

12.Will my application information be treated as confidential?

13.Are there other resources that can assist me to write my application?

14.Is there a list of consultants that you have that are qualified to help put together TIRF Grant applications?

15.Is there any state based quota for funding recipients?

16.In what format should I submit my application?

17.Can I send in my application by email?

18.When do grant applications close?

19.Will late applications be accepted?

20.What is the ‘Great Australian Tourism Makeover’ referred to in the Program Guidelines?

Section (2) Eligibility

21.Who can apply?

22.Can I apply if my project is located in an eligible tourism region, but my Head Office / Business is located in an ineligible region (i.e. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)?

23.Why aren't Individuals and Partnerships eligible under this Program?

24.Where can I find out which Tourism Region I belong to?

25.Why have Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Tourism Regions been excluded from this Program?

26.Is the list of potentially eligible projects shown in the Program Guidelines the only projects that will be supported?

27.Can I get funding for one component of a larger project and do you want to know about the full project if it is just one component of a larger project?

28.Can I use grant funding to fund promotional activities for my tourism product / destination?

29.Can I purchase non-fixed assets with my grant funding?

30.Can I pay permanent staff with the grant funds or matching funds if they are working on the project?

31.Can I pay temporary or casual staff / consultants with the grant funds or matching funds if they are working on the project?

32.Can I use grant funds or my matching funds to pay for the costs of gaining relevant Council and other approvals?

33.Do I need to have approvals in place for my project to be eligible to apply for TIRF funding?

34.I have just started (or am about to start) a new business and am thus unable to provide financial statements for the past two financial years. How can I demonstrate my financial status?

35.The Program Guidelines state that for venue upgrades, up to 50% of the matched cash component (25% of grant / matching cash combined) to a limit of $50,000 may be spent on new non-fixed fittings with a quality improvement focus. What is a ‘venue upgrade’ for the purposes of the TIRF Grants Program?

Section (3) Matched Funding

36.What is meant by matched funding or dollar-for-dollar?

37.Where can the matching funds come from?

38.At what stage do I need to have money in my bank account for the matching funding?

39.Can in-kind funding be used as matching funding?

40.If I am a qualified and registered builder, can I construct my own building as part of the project?

41.What happens if my bank requires evidence that we have been successful in applying for a grant before it will loan me my matching funds?

Section (4) Application to Decision

42.Do I need to answer all questions in the Application Form?

43.Can I complete an application not using the Application Form?

44.Can I change the nature or scope of my project between submitting my application and execution of the funding agreement?

45.What happens if my responses to questions in the application form exceed the designated word limits?

46.Do I need to be registered for GST to apply for the program if my business is not required to be registered for GST to operate?

47.How do I include graphs, tables and other items essential to my application?

48.Can I use photographs to support my application?

49.Is there a limit to the number of attachments I can include with my application?

50.Do I need to include letters of support with my application?

51.What name should I provide in my application form under "Applicant / Organisation Name"?

52.Who can sign the application form?

53.How will my application be assessed?

54.How do I demonstrate 'alignment with industry priorities and strategies'?

55.How do I demonstrate 'capacity to deliver the project'

56.How do I demonstrate 'improvement or innovation'

57.How do I demonstrate 'strategic and collaborative value (for the region)?

58.Can I put project audit costs in the budget?

59.Should I include quotes for even small items in the budget section of the Application Form?

60.How do I complete the milestone section of my application?

61.How long will it take before a decision on which applications will receive funding is made?

62.Who makes the final decision on grant offers?

63.Will I be notified that the Department has received my application?

64.Will I get feedback if my application is unsuccessful?

65.My Application was unsuccessful, can I appeal the decision?

Section (5) Successful Applicants

66.How will I be notified if my application is successful?

67.What is a funding agreement?

68.If I am successful, will I receive the grant in one lump sum payment?

69.When can I commence work on my project?

70.Does my entire project need to be carried out by March 2015, or can my project be longer?

71.Why do I have to keep my grant funding and matching funds in a separate bank account?

72.If I am successful in receiving funding, am I excluded from future rounds of the Program for funding for subsequent project stages?

73.If I am successful in applying for a grant to conduct a feasibility study and the study finds that the idea is not feasible, will I have to repay the grant funds?

Section (6) Payment

74.Are grant payments subject to the GST?

75.Do grant recipients have to pay tax on their grant?

Section (1)General

QUESTION / ANSWER

1.How do I apply for a TIRF Grant?

/ To apply for the TIRF Grants Program, you should complete the Application Form available at All sections of the Application Form must be completed including providing an accurate and well developed budget and submitting the required attachments. You will need to send a signed hard copy of your application to the Department by the closing date.

2.What grant assistance is available?

/ The TIRF Grants Program will provide grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 (GST exclusive). The grants will be provided on a matched dollar for dollar basis – that is for every dollar in grant funding you apply for, you must contribute at least one dollar of your own Funds.

3.What types of projects will be funded under the Program?

/ The TIRF Grants Program aims to increase the quality and range of visitor experiences in regional Australia through tourism product investment. Projects which are either an improvement or upgrade of existing tourism product or a new innovative product will be eligible.
A list of ineligible activities, which can not be funded, is available in the Program Guidelines and should be reviewed before starting your application.

4.What is Tourism 2020?

/ Tourism 2020 is Australia's national strategy to enhance growth and competitiveness in the tourism industry. More information about Tourism 2020 can be found at

5.What is T-QUAL Accreditation?

/ T-QUAL Accreditation is the Australian Government’s quality framework for the tourism industry. It assesses and supports quality assurance schemes and endorses their members with its national symbol of quality, the T-QUAL Tick. More information about T-QUAL Accreditation can be found at

6.Is T-QUAL Accreditation a mandatory requirement to apply for a TIRF Grant?

/ No, T-QUAL Accreditation is not a mandatory requirement of the TIRF Program. However it is consistent with Tourism 2020 goals, and is expected that successful applicants will work to obtain accreditation during the life of their project. Applicants that are accredited will be preferred in the assessment process, all other things being equal.

7.What are the differences between the TIRF Grants and TQUAL Grants (Tourism Quality Projects) programs?

Timing - TIRF closes 30 November for February 2013 announcement, T-QUAL Grants for 2012 have already been announced.
Size of Grant - TIRF is $50,000-$250,000 (excluding GST), TQUAL is $15,000- $100,000 (excluding GST)
Eligibility and Assessment Criteria are different - See the Application Form and Checklist
For TIRF venue improvement grants, up to 25% of the matched cash may be spent on non-fixed assets of furniture and fittings
TIRF is focused on regional areas while T-QUAL Grants have no geographic limitations.

8.Can I submit multiple applications to the TIRF Program?

/ Yes. We will accept multiple applications from the same applicant providing the applications are for different projects.

9.If I complete more than one application, do I have to divide $250,000 between the applications?

/ No. There is a maximum of $250,000 (GST exclusive) per application.

10.Can I apply for funding from another Commonwealth Government program at the same time as applying for this program?

/ Yes. However, activities already funded under another Commonwealth Government source will not be funded under the TIRF Program. You may apply for funding under this Program for another stage of the project that is not funded by another Commonwealth Government program.

11.Can I apply for a grant under the TIRF Grants Program if I have received another Commonwealth grant (e.g. T-QUAL Grants)?

/ Yes, as long as the project for which you are applying under the TIRF Program is different to the project for which you were previously funded.

12.Will my application information be treated as confidential?

/ Yes. The Department has appropriate processes in place for commercially sensitive information.

13.Are there other resources that can assist me to write my application?

/ The application process will be competitive, and applications will be assessed on merit. To be fair to all applicants, the Department will not provide advice on individual applications. To improve your chance of success, check that your application meets the aims and eligibility criteria of the Program, and does not seek funding for ineligible activities. You may find it useful to have someone else read your application to ensure it is a comprehensive proposal.You may be able to find useful research to support your project through Tourism Research Australia ( through Tourism Australia ( or through your State or Territory Tourism Organisation. If you are a small to medium business, you may also wish to consult Enterprise Connect.

14.Is there a list of consultants that you have that are qualified to help put together TIRF Grant applications?

/ The Department does not provide recommendations for consultants. We do not require you to engage a consultant to prepare your application.

15.Is there any state based quota for funding recipients?

/ No, there are no quotas for any specific state or territory.

16.In what format should I submit my application?

/ Applications should be submitted in hard copy – unbound and unstapled. This will assist the Department in the processing and filing of your application. You may wish to secure your pages with a bulldog clip. Applications will be assessed based on content alone – presentation will not be considered.

17.Can I send in my application by email?

/ No. Applications must be submitted in hard copy.

18.When do grant applications close?

/ Applications must be received by post or courier by 5pm on the closing date. Applications that have been postmarked before 5pm on that day will be accepted.

19.Will late applications be accepted?

/ No. Late applications will not be accepted.

20.What is the ‘Great Australian Tourism Makeover’ referred to in the Program Guidelines?

/ Tourism Australia will help raise awareness and assist in the marketing of the new grant program. Minister Ferguson / Tourism Australia will make further announcements about this initiative as details become available.

Section (2)Eligibility

QUESTION / ANSWER

21.Who can apply?

/ To be eligible for the TIRF Grants Program, applicants must be:

Registered for GST; and
Either a constitutional corporation or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation

Or a Government Business Enterprise, 51% or more of its revenue must be derived from non-Government resources.
If you are unsure what type of organisation your business is, you should seek advice from your accountant, lawyer or relevant advisor.
Additional details regarding eligible applicants can be found in the TIRF Program Guidelines and requirements set are set out in the Application Form.

22.Can I apply if my project is located in an eligible tourism region, but my Head Office / Business is located in an ineligible region (i.e. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)?

/ Yes. Your eligibility is based on the location of your project, not the location of your Head Office or business.

23.Why aren't Individuals and Partnerships eligible under this Program?

/ The Department has made a risk management decision to limit the types of organisation with which we will enter into Funding Agreements.

24.Where can I find out which Tourism Region I belong to?

/ Tourism Regions have been defined based on the definitions provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. You can determine the Tourism Region of your project by searching for your project location in table 1 of the following link:

25.Why have Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Tourism Regions been excluded from this Program?

/ Research has identified a gap in the market for quality tourism product in regional areas. The TIRF Grants Program aims to address this market gap by encouraging investment in upgrades or innovation in regional areas. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbanetourism regionseach receive at least 1.7 million visitors more per annum thanthe nextmost visited tourism region.While not able to receive assistance through the TIRF Program theseregions are still eligible for other tourism grant programs.

26.Is the list of potentially eligible projects shown in the Program Guidelines the only projects that will be supported?

/ The list of eligible projects shown in the Program Guidelines is intended to provide examples of the type of projects that may be funded and is not an exhaustive list.

27.Can I get funding for one component of a larger project and do you want to know about the full project if it is just one component of a larger project?

/ Applicants can apply for one component of a larger project. It may be useful for the applicant to briefly outline the larger project in the project summary in the application form. For all other criteria however, the applicant should focus their proposal on the specific component of the larger project for which funding is sought.

28.Can I use grant funding to fund promotional activities for my tourism product / destination?

/ No. Under the TIRF Program Guidelines, any kinds of marketing, advertising or product promotion are ineligible activities (this includes but is not limited to brand strategies / development, marketing strategies, television shows, videos, photographs, brochure production or the conversion of marketing or promotional print material to online material). The only exception is that your project budget may allocate funding for a launch event to celebrate your project.

29.Can I purchase non-fixed assets with my grant funding?

/ Non-fixed capital equipment such as furniture or fittings, vehicles, boats, computers, machinery or other removable, transportable or transferable equipment is ineligible for the purposes of TIRF. There is however an exception for venue upgrades, such that up to 50% of the applicant’s matched cash component (25% of grant/cash combined) to a limit of $50,000 may be spent on new non-fixed fittings with a quality improvement focus.

30.Can I pay permanent staff with the grant funds or matching funds if they are working on the project?

/ No. Salary payment of permanent staff is an ineligible activity.

31.Can I pay temporary or casual staff / consultants with the grant funds or matching funds if they are working on the project?

/ The payment of salaries for temporary or casual staff / consultants are ineligible activities under the TIRF Program Guidelines, unless the applicant can demonstrate that they are being employed specifically to work on the project. Any salary costs not directly related to the project are not eligible to the project.

32.Can I use grant funds or my matching funds to pay for the costs of gaining relevant Council and other approvals?

/ Yes.The cost of gaining project approvals is an eligible activity unless this cost has been incurred before the Funding Agreement has been executed.

33.Do I need to have approvals in place for my project to be eligible to apply for TIRF funding?

/ No. It is not mandatory for applicants to have project approvals in place at the time they submit their application. However generally grant funding will not be paid until all necessary approvals have been secured. For construction projects, applicants that have gained relevant approvals for their projects, such as a development application, are welcome to apply.

34.I have just started (or am about to start) a new business and am thus unable to provide financial statements for the past two financial years. How can I demonstrate my financial status?

/ The Department does not provide advice on individual applications, and as such you may wish to consult with your accountant / auditor, to discuss what evidence you can provide to support your application. Please note however that if you are unable to produce financial statements for the previous two financial years, this will reduce the competitiveness of your grant application.

/ Venue upgrades may include (but are not limited to):

Accommodation allowing short term stays includes apartments, backpackers and hostels, bed and breakfasts, cabins and cottages, caravan and camping, farm stays, holiday houses, hotels, motels, resorts, retreats and lodges, selfcontained or wilderness safari retreats ranging from tents to cabins.
Attractions including amusement and theme parks, restaurant, cafe or dining establishment, galleries, museums and collections, historical sites and heritage locations, landmarks and buildings, observatories and planetariums, spas and retreats, wineries, zoos, sanctuaries, aquariums and wildlife parks