Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program has achieved a remarkable milestone, securing over A$1 billion (US627.9 million) in economic impact across 64 successful bid wins since its 2018 launch, with contracted events extending through to 2029.
Speaking at the AIME 2025 press conference in Melbourne, Tourism Australia’s managing director Phillipa Harrison highlighted the programme’s success in attracting high-value international business events aligned with Australia’s priority sectors, including health, technology, manufacturing, resources, energy, and infrastructure.
“International events deliver about A$4.3 billion to the Australian economy every single year,” said Harrison, noting that business events delegates spend 63 per cent more than leisure visitors.
“We’re particularly excited about the China Amway Leadership Seminar coming this April, and the Women Deliver Conference arriving in Melbourne in 2026, both supported by the bid fund,” she said.
Other notable wins include the International Astronautical Congress heading to Sydney in September 2025, which is expected to draw 2,500 international delegates with an economic impact of A$20 million.
Darwin will host the Ecosystem Services Partnership World Conference in June 2025, while Perth secured Routes Asia, bringing 940 airline industry delegates to Western Australia next month.
The tourism body’s Australia Next event, scheduled for Melbourne in December 2025, is also expected to produce strong ROI. The previous edition attracted 80 international business events agents from 13 countries, generating 165 leads worth about A$150 million.
Australia’s business events sector is further bolstered by significant infrastructure developments, including Melbourne’s soon-to-open 1 Hotel, Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf development, and Sydney’s upcoming Waldorf Astoria.
Looking ahead, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics is positioned as a catalyst for sustainable infrastructure development and increased business events opportunities, with Tourism Australia actively working to maximise the legacy benefits for the sector.
The Bid Fund continues to accept new applications, supporting Australia’s competitive position in the global business events marketplace.
