EMDG is changing
The information on this page was relevant for Rounds 1, 2 and 3. Changes are coming for Round 4. We will communicate this information when details, including guidelines, are finalised and released. To get regular updates, subscribe to the EMDG Update newsletter.
This Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) definition is to help you know if you are eligible for tier 3. If you're not, you can refer to Types of grants to check if you are eligible for tier 1 or 2.
EMDG are available in 3 tiers for eligible Australian small to medium enterprise businesses.
Expanding is a requirement for all tier 2 and tier 3 applicants. You must show you are seeking to expand export promotion activity in your plan to market. You must also be able to demonstrate if required.
A manufacturer of Australian-made tea spent about $300,000 over 3 years on Google Adwords. This was to promote various sales campaigns of their tea in the UK market. The campaign was a success in generating export sales.
The manufacturer’s expansion plan is to increase advertising on Google Adwords in the UK market. They plan to increase to spend to $150,000 each year for the next 3 years. This extra spend will allow the business to target a larger audience than before. This is because more customers in the UK will view their Google advertisement. This change in the type of promotional activity satisfies the need for a planned expansion of promotional activities.
A tourism operator who delivers day tours of Australia’s coastline received 3 previous EMDG grants. The business spent $200,000 on online marketing in Southeast Asia over 3 years. This included:
Note: There was no online marketing spend in the 2020-21 financial year though the tour operator did generate some export business.
The business had the most success with Facebook advertising. As borders reopen after COVID, they believe they can reach more customers. The business will use Facebook advertising alone for the same spend. They will not use Google Adwords, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
Over the next 3 years the business plans to spend $200,000 on Facebook advertising. This includes:
This change in the type of promotional activity satisfies the need for a planned expansion of promotional activities.