Venue hire support grant

Assists community and cultural groups and organisations accessing our spaces.

The inside of a building with panelled walls and large windows.

Grants team

Before applying please contact the team to arrange a call back to discuss your project.

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Applications are open

This program is open all year for applications until the budget is exhausted.
All applications should be made online at least 8 weeks before the event.
The first activity must take place within 12 months of the application date.

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About this program

We have indoor venues available for hire. Our venue hire support grants help community and cultural groups and organisations host events, concerts, fundraisers, conferences, meetings and community gatherings.

Cultural, environmental and community groups and organisations that demonstrate financial hardship can apply.

Support is available for community venues and landmark venues.

Outdoor venues aren’t available for value-in-kind requests. For outdoor events, contact [email protected].

- Increase the number of programs, events and activities that contribute to social wellbeing, social inclusion and increased cultural participation.
- Improve services and projects for residents, workers and visitors that contribute to their social, cultural, economic and environmental health.
- Boost capacity of the cultural, environmental and community sector through the sharing of knowledge and resources.
We encourage applications from organisations, groups and individuals that support Aboriginal and Torres and Strait Islander communities and culture, including community-controlled organisations and networks.
Proposals are assessed against:
- evidence of the need for the project
- demonstrated connection, benefit to, and engagement with the local diverse community in the planning and delivery of the project
- your capacity and experience to deliver the project
- how the project delivers against the funding priorities.
- For comprehensive information, including definitions and other details, refer to the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.
- To see what projects have been awarded our grants and sponsorships in the past, search for ‘venue support’ in our statutory returns annual reports.
- The goals we have set to make the city green, global and connected are outlined in Sustainable Sydney 2030–2050 Continuing the Vision.

Support available

Support is available in the form of one-off or multi-year (up to 3 years) reduced rates for community and landmark venue hire, subject to availability.

Not-for-profit organisations are eligible for a 25% reduction on equipment hire fees at landmark venues (for equipment owned by the City of Sydney).

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding an applicant must operate within the City of Sydney local area or be able to demonstrate benefits for the area’s residents, workers and/or visitors.

You must demonstrate that payment of standard rates would cause financial hardship.

Community venues

These organisations can apply:
- eligible not-for-profit organisation
- incorporated association
- unincorporated community group (note that an individual or eligible not-for-profit organisation will need to enter into the venue hire agreement on your behalf).
Landmark venues

These individuals and organisations can apply:
- eligible not-for-profit organisation
- incorporated association.
For the definition of each eligible applicant above, see the glossary/definitions section in the grants and sponsorship guidelines.

For more information on eligibility see the eligibility section in the grants and sponsorship guidelines.
- Fees and charges associated with event staffing at venues
- Projects that have already received funding from another grant.
Venue hire and equipment fees and charges are set for the facilities each year by the City of Sydney.

The grant covers venue hire fees only.

You will need to enter into a venue hire agreement and pay all other charges such as deposit and bond, security/key deposit, public liability insurance, cancellation, audio visual, extra staffing such as ushers, cloakroom and security, and any food and beverages.

How to apply

See our list of venues.

To book a community venue, contact [email protected] for a quote and make a tentative booking if your project is time sensitive.

To book Sydney Town Hall, Paddington Town Hall or Customs House, submit a venue booking request and contact [email protected] for a quote.

When requesting a quote, please notify City of Sydney staff that you’re applying for a grant.

Once you have a quote, contact the grants team on 02 9265 9333 or email [email protected].

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PoliciesGrants and sponsorship policyPublished 30 August 2022

Council governance & administrationGrants and sponsorship program guidelinesPublished 9 July 2025

Venue hire support grant

Grants team

Applications are open

Help with grants in your language

About this program

Funding priorities

Assessment criteria

Further reading

Support available

Eligibility

Eligible for funding

Not eligible for funding

Further conditions

How to apply

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