Screen NSW Digital Games Travel Fund 2026–27: Up to A$10,000 for Screen and Game Practitioners
A travel scheme for working game and screen professionals
Screen NSW is running its Screen and Digital Games Travel Fund for the 2026–27 financial year. Applications opened on 1 July 2026 and the public closing time is 30 June 2027 at 11:00 p.m. Sydney local time. The state-supported programme contributes to necessary travel for eligible screen and game practitioners attending strategically important domestic and international festivals, markets, conventions, conferences and industry trade missions.
The core purpose is professional development and industry connections for New South Wales, including market-ready screen and digital games projects. It should not be described as an unrestricted artist residency, a general tourism grant or a prize for independently uploading a video game. Applicants need to explain why the specific industry event provides a meaningful opportunity for their project or career.
Four streams and their different financial ceilings
The official funding page lists International Festival Travel, International Market Travel, Domestic Market Travel and Partner Initiatives. For international festivals or markets, support is up to A$5,000 per individual or A$6,000 total for two or more team members. Domestic market travel is capped at A$1,500 for one individual or A$2,000 total for a team. Partner Initiatives may support up to A$10,000, according to the particular initiative's conditions.
These are maximum amounts by category, not cash awards automatically received by every application. The state may approve a smaller contribution and imposes particular eligible destinations and event types. For example, a team of two attending an international event should not multiply the A$6,000 team cap by two. They should build a joint project budget and inspect the official destination list.
Who should apply and what is the geographic limit?
The scheme addresses New South Wales screen and digital-games practitioners, companies and eligible teams. The current guidelines define detailed residence, professional track-record, business-identity and rights requirements; there is no blanket worldwide eligibility simply because overseas markets are within scope. Applicants from outside NSW must specifically confirm their eligibility before submitting, and should not assume that holding an Australian festival invitation is sufficient.
Film and television producers, game developers, interactive entertainment professionals and relevant production personnel may find it useful. The available stream should be chosen according to the nature of the event, the application entity, and whether a confirmed market opportunity exists. An artist working solely on unrelated gallery painting or personal tourism is not the target of this programme.
Timing, evidence and costs
Applications are assessed during the funding year. Screen NSW encourages early applications, normally well before the intended travel dates, so applicants should consult the current assessment schedule and avoid waiting until an air ticket has already been purchased. A detailed itinerary, festival or market invitation, evidence of the project and its audience or industry readiness, and a realistic budget will generally strengthen a submission.
Travel estimates should separate flights, accommodation, registration, reasonable subsistence, visas and costs borne by other backers, while using the official grant guidelines to distinguish allowable and disallowed spending. A producer should not presume that retrospective travel or a speculative event can be financed. Retain evidence of approval and receipts for any later accounting requirements.
Organizer's industry track record and verifiability
Screen NSW is part of the NSW Government screen industry funding ecosystem and operates programmes covering games, screen production, travel, post-production, VFX and industry development. Its official pages link to current program guidelines, application portals, assistance contacts, selection rules and dedicated eligible-travel-destinations lists. This public administration structure is a strong way to verify an actual opportunity without relying on commercial listing sites.
The agency's published grants are designed to support jobs and industry development in NSW, not guarantee market success. Anyone applying should use the government application link and check rights, insurance and business obligations in their own circumstances.
Official sources and responsible timing
NSW Government announcement and application portal: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/screen-and-digital-games-travel-fund . Screen NSW detailed program page and downloadable guidelines: https://www.screen.nsw.gov.au/funding-support/screen-and-digital-games-travel-fund . Application closing time: 30 June 2027, 11:00 p.m. Sydney time, unless funding arrangements change earlier. Information checked 19 October 2026.