Destination NSW is supporting NSW businesses that provide Aboriginal tours or experiences to attend Australian Tourism Exchange 2026 (ATE26), delivered by Tourism Australia.
From 10 – 14 May 2026, ATE26 will bring together Australian visitor economy businesses and global distribution partners to conduct scheduled business appointments and participate in networking events over four days.
ATE26 Aboriginal Trade Event Support
The $80,000 Aboriginal Trade Event Support initiative, delivered by Destination NSW, will support up to ten NSW businesses to attend as sellers at Australia’s largest B2B travel industry event.
Through the Aboriginal Trade Event Support, Destination NSW will support the full primary ATE26 registration fee of $5,945 (inc. GST) and five nights’ accommodation for successful applicants.
Attending ATE26 will help businesses to build new and strengthen existing relationships with global distributors including wholesalers and online travel agents.
Who can apply
Established visitor economy businesses that are actively working with one or more inbound tour operators and operate an export-ready Aboriginal-led tour or experience in NSW, can apply.
Applications are open to businesses that register as a seller at ATE26 by 7 November 2025.
Please refer to key dates, terms and conditions below.
How to apply
Submit your Aboriginal Trade Event Support application
Terms and conditions
- Applicant businesses must be eligible based on Tourism Australia’s event seller criteria and receive official acceptance as an ATE26 seller from Tourism Australia.
- Applicant businesses must operate an export-ready Aboriginal tour or experience in NSW
- Applicant businesses are not eligible for participation under the Aboriginal Trade Event Support if they meet Tourism Australia’s “National” definition (operating your business in three or more Australian states and territories).
- The Aboriginal Trade Event Support applies to the ATE26 registration and primary delegate fee and five nights’ accommodation for the primary delegate. All other expenses, including flights, and additional delegates, are at the expense of the applicant.
- Destination NSW will provide five nights’ accommodation in a centrally located Adelaide hotel from Sunday 10 May 2026 for the primary delegate on a single room only basis. Any meals or incidentals are at the expense of the applicant.
- Applicants who have been successful in receiving other grants (federal or state) to support their attendance at ATE26 are not eligible to apply.
- Applications will be assessed based on eligibility and on a first come, first served basis. Places are limited to a maximum of ten Aboriginal Trade Event Support recipients.
- Destination NSW will notify successful Aboriginal Trade Events Support applicants no later than 8 December 2025.
- To receive the Aboriginal Trade Event Support, successful applicants must provide Destination NSW with:
- Screenshot or PDF of the accepted attendance at ATE26
- Acceptance of Aboriginal Trade Event Support Terms and Conditions
- Applicants must supply back panel artwork that showcases their Aboriginal tour or experience and commit to prioritising the Aboriginal experience during ATE26 sales appointments
- A cancellation deadline of Monday 16 February 2026 applies
If the number of applicants meeting the Aboriginal Trade Event Support terms and conditions exceeds the maximum of ten places, Destination NSW has the right to apply any or all of the following;
- Prioritising Aboriginal owned and operated businesses
- Take a first in, best dressed approach based on the date and time of submission
- Assess the mix of category and geographic coverage of visitor experiences to ensure a balanced representation
Key dates
- 14 October – 7 November 2025: Apply to attend ATE26 as a seller via Tourism Australia’s ATE26 event website. Seller applications close on Friday 7 November 2025.
- 14 October – 7 November 2025: Submit your Aboriginal Trade Event Support application to Destination NSW by 5.00pm (AEST) Friday 7 November 2025.
- 8 December 2025: Destination NSW will advise if you have been successful in your Aboriginal Trade Event Support application
- 9 December 2025: Tourism Australia will advise if you have been successful in your application to attend ATE26.
Next steps
Successful applicants
To finalise your application please action the below between 9 December and 20 December 2025:
- You will receive an email from Tourism Australia on 9 December confirming your application to ATE26 is successful
- Confirm your acceptance to ATE26 on the Tourism Australia email via the link provided
- You will receive an email from Destination NSW to submit the following details
- Screenshot or PDF confirming your accepted attendance at ATE26
- Acceptance of Aboriginal Trade Event Support Terms and Conditions
Unsuccessful applicants
Please note you may still be eligible to attend ATE26 at your own costs. Tourism Australia will advise you via email on 9 December. At this stage you may decide to register and attend ATE26 at your own cost, of $5,945 (inc. GST) for the primary seller.
Unsuccessful applicants will have the option to decline Tourism Australia acceptance until Tourism Australia’s payment deadline of 20 January 2026.
Find out more
Submit your Aboriginal Trade Event Support application
For more information on ATE26, visit the Tourism Australia website
For further assistance on the Aboriginal Trade Event Support, contact Destination NSW on ate@dnsw.com.au.
