Host an event

DFAT is coordinating the development of a six-month Strategic Business Program comprising government, business, and cultural events, which will be hosted by the Australia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka. We welcome Australian individuals and organisations to apply to curate events for our business program.

First Nations individuals and organisations are encouraged to apply.

There are two ways for an individual or organisation to curate an event: as a Friend of the Australia Pavilion, or as an Australia Pavilion Program Curator. Different eligibility criteria apply to each category.

Organisations selected as either a Friend of the Australia Pavilion or as an Australia Pavilion Program Curator, will be responsible for all aspects of event development, curation, and coordination, subject to amendment and/or final approval from DFAT.

EOIs will remain open until 31 December 2024. Early applications are encouraged. Please contact us if you have any further questions.

The evaluation committee will consist of DFAT staff, who may seek advice from other government departments, agencies or industry representatives as needed. EOIs will be assessed on a rolling basis. Following initial assessment, the evaluation committee within the Osaka Expo Taskforce may seek further information from applicants.  

All submissions will receive an automatic response to advise the EOI has been received. Those identified as suitable for either category will receive further notification directly from the Osaka Expo Taskforce.  

DFAT reserves the right not to progress any proposal to shortlist, negotiation, or funding agreement stage. EOIs that are not successful will not receive feedback nor any further communication.   

Additional information on eligibility, event formats and timings, and responsibilities is included in Expo 2025 Osaka - Australia Pavilion – Friends of the Australia Pavilion and Australia Pavilion Program Curators Guide.   

Friends of the Australia Pavilion SmartyGrants Application Form

To be eligible in this category, your organisation must be a non-corporate entity that does not operate for profit. This includes not-for-profit organisations, community groups, foundations, and business networks. Your organisation will be able to propose one invite-only event for up to 100 people, for up to three hours.

If your proposal is successful, your organisation will be required to plan, implement, and deliver your event. This may include designing the event, inviting speakers and participants, and managing all travel and accommodation requirements and expenses. DFAT may provide discretionary funding capped at AUD7,000 (excluding GST/TAX) to cover costs related to your event at Expo. You may also wish to leverage DFAT Grant programs to cover the costs of your event.

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

• Whether your organisation is not for profit  
• Whether your organisation is financially viable with sufficient resources in place to deliver the event as described in the EOI submission
• Whether your organisation maintains high ethical standards and poses no risk of harm to the reputation of Australia, the Australian Government or DFAT
• Your organisation's activities with Japan, and aspirations of operating in/expanding in/working with Japan, and how you will use Expo to do this
• Event alignment with Australia’s strategic objectives for Expo and Integrated Event Programming Framework
• If DFAT funding is requested, whether the request is reasonable and well-budgeted
• Your organisation’s willingness to work with the Australian Government to promote Australia’s strengths and capabilities for the bilateral relationship  
• The extent to which your event remedies thematic gaps in the Australia Pavilion events program.

Additional information on eligibility, event formats and timings, and responsibilities is included in Expo 2025 Osaka - Australia Pavilion – Friends of the Australia Pavilion and Australia Pavilion Program Curators Guide. Please contact us if you have any further questions.

Australia Pavilion Program Curator SmartyGrants Application Form

To be eligible in this category, your organisation must be a small to medium enterprise, with fewer than 200 employees and an annual turnover of AUD$50 million or less. Under this category your organisation will be able to propose one invite-only event for up to 100 people, for up to three hours.

If your application is successful, your organisation will provide value-in-kind event curation services for your event. Value-in-kind curatorial services can include designing the event, inviting speakers and participants, managing all travel and accommodation requirements and expenses, and costs associated with staff resourcing for all of the above.  

Assessment will be based on the following criteria:

• Whether your organisation has fewer than 200 employees and an annual turnover under AUD$50 million
• Whether your organisation is financially viable with sufficient resources in place to deliver the event as described in the EOI submission
• Whether your organisation maintains high standards of business ethics and poses no risk of harm to the reputation of Australia, the Australian Government or DFAT
• Your organisation's activities with Japan, and aspirations of operating in/expanding in/working with Japan, and how you will use Expo to do this
• Event alignment with Australia’s strategic objectives for Expo and Integrated Event Programming Framework.
• Whether your event enhances Australia’s presence at Expo (does it have a strong value proposition and benefit Australia, have a clear target audience, and enhance Australia’s standing at Expo?)
• Willingness to work with the Australian Government to promote Australia’s strengths and capabilities for the bilateral relationship.  
• Whether budgeting for your value-in-kind contribution is realistic, accurate, and achievable
• The extent to which your event remedies thematic gaps in the Australia Pavilion events program.

Additional information on eligibility, event formats and timings, and responsibilities is included in Expo 2025 Osaka - Australia Pavilion – Friends of the Australia Pavilion and Australia Pavilion Program Curators Guide. Please contact us if you have any further questions.