Frequently asked questions

A national peak industry body is a not-for-profit organisation whose main activity is to promote the interests of Australian businesses. It is not an organisation which explicitly promotes the interests of a group of Australian businesses in a specific sub-national location (e.g. only one state or territory, or only one local government area).

Through a competitive and streamlined selection process, national peak industry bodies must submit a TDN application. This can be done independently or as a consortium. Beyond the minimum conditions of participation, evaluation criteria will focus on industry representation and export focus. Full selection criteria and eligibility is outlined in the TDN Guidelines.

National peak industry bodies that have members concentrated in specific areas are eligible to apply. This may occur when the activities of the represented industries are concentrated in few locations. 

Some national peak industry bodies applied to the Trade Diversification Network as a consortium, including sub-national peak industry bodies, Research and Development Corporations, State and Territory governments and others.

We’re taking a national approach. Applicants should consider the wider industry approach where practical and how this approach would work with their national membership base.

A TDP will outline priorities, activities and agreement to work towards objectives. TDPs will be jointly developed between Austrade and TDN members. The TDP will set out priority markets and diversification objectives and recommend activities suitable for delivering sound policy outcomes. 

Note: Any procured activities are subject to Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Guidelines. AusTender provides centralised publication of Australian Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans and contracts awarded. Potential suppliers are encouraged to register on AusTender including selecting categories of interest. 

Applicants can present a well-established strategy (which may evolve over time with market intelligence and insights) or support designing this with us. We encourage industry to come with thoughts around initiatives that help exporters diversify and grow into new and existing markets.

40 national peak industry bodies were publicly welcomed to the TDN after the assessment panel reviewed the applications. Austrade took a practical approach to ensure the members we work with are nationally representative, and the TDN member base is a manageable size. We also understand needs will vary and fluctuate across members. Some industries will need light touch support, others will need more intensive support, and this could adjust over time.

The Australian Government's Privacy Act 1988 protects individuals' personal information by setting rules for how the Federal Government handles personal data.

We intentionally streamlined and simplified the process so it could be completed within the 3-week application window. However, we did allow for a review period for unsuccessful applicants to gain specific feedback.

ANMI funds are allocated with the aim of maximising benefits for Australian exporters and ensuring value for money.

The funding model is adaptive, so that new market opportunities can be seized as they are identified, and as new market threats and opportunities emerge. ANMI will be overseen by the ANMI Independent Assurance Panel (IAP), to provide public assurance that reasonable judgements have been made to ensure the equitable allocation of resources over the life of ANMI.

Austrade and national peak industry bodies who join the TDN will develop a Trade Diversification Plan that outlines priorities, activities and agreement to work towards objectives that benefit its industry. It’s important to note that the Trade Diversification Plan does not guarantee any financial commitment on the part of Austrade for any TDN member. Any procured activities are subject to Commonwealth Procurement Rules and guidelines.

ANMI funds are allocated with the aim of maximising benefits for Australian exporters and ensuring value for money.

National peak industry bodies may apply as a consortium which may include sub-national peak industry bodies, RDCs, S&Ts and others. ANMI is geared around support for industry. If you are part of an industry, we want to clearly understand how you will drive engagement and impact the wider industry. For example, how will you collaborate across various stakeholders.

Any procured activities are subject to Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Guidelines. AusTender provides centralised publication of Australian Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans and contracts awarded. Potential suppliers are encouraged to register on AusTender including selecting categories of interest. 

ANMI will complement the suite of Trade services currently provided by Austrade, including 1:1 client servicing, trade missions and events, financial assistance via an Export Market Development Grant, and digital resources such as the Go Global Toolkit. ANMI’s focus is on working with national peak industry bodies to support Australian exporters impacted by recent global trade changes.

Exporting businesses will be able to benefit directly from additional in-market trade advisors, enhanced offshore events and new strategic initiatives that will be delivered through ANMI.

The Australian Government has identified the technology sector as a priority export growth sector. This is partly because the Australian technology sector requires international commercial expansion to grow. Growth of the technology sector is a key enabler supporting the growth of merchandise goods sectors and improving Australia’s productivity. 

ANMI funds are allocated with the aim of maximising benefits for Australian exporters and ensuring value for money.

The funding model is adaptive, so that new market opportunities can be seized as they are identified, and as new market threats and opportunities emerge. ANMI will be overseen by the ANMI Independent Assurance Panel (IAP), to provide public assurance that reasonable judgements have been made to ensure the equitable allocation of resources over the life of ANMI.

Note: The TDP does not guarantee any financial commitment on the part of Austrade for any TDN member. Any procured activities are subject to Commonwealth Procurement Rules and guidelines.

Activities will be managed through Austrade’s procurement process. All procured activities will be subject to Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Guidelines.

The ANMI Independent Assurance Panel (IAP) will oversee this process to ensure decisions are appropriate and proportional. We will also work hand in hand through the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee, with the Dept Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Dept of Industry, Science and Resources.

ANMI funding will provide additional opportunities to exporters. These will complement the suite of Trade services currently provided by Austrade, including 1:1 client servicing, trade missions and events, financial assistance via an Export Market Development Grant, and digital resources such as the Go Global Toolkit.

While ANMI funding will cover most of the activity’s cost, some activities may incur costs such as travel, event participation or networking activities.

The application process has been developed with a streamlined approach. It should reflect the industry’s priorities, proposed actions at a high level and potential impact to industry. Information on the selection criteria is outlined in the TDN Guidelines.

Note: It is less about budgets during the early ‘ideas’ stage. Subsequent funding of activities and initiatives will be separate to the Collaboration Agreement and Trade Diversification Plan and be subject to Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Guidelines – budgets would then be considered at this later stage.

We understand every industry is different and we want to be flexible. As long as spending aligns to Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Guidelines, we’ll consider all these things during the planning stage. All funds must also align with ANMI program objectives set out in the TDN Guidelines.

TDN applications closed 14 October 2025.

Austrade will roll out ANMI in 3 phases. The launch and stand-up phase will focus on establishing the program, operating models, and governance structures.

The core delivery phase from October 2025 to June 2027 will prioritise managing national peak body relationships and delivering high-quality programs and services. Finally, from July 2027, the transition to business-as-usual will see key learnings embedded into Austrade’s broader partnership delivery model to ensure lasting impact beyond the program’s life. 

Please refer to the TDN Guidelines for detailed information on procurement and funding stages.

Collaboration is key with most industries having national representation. Austrade and national peak industry bodies who join the TDN will enter into a framework agreement known as a Collaboration Agreement. This agreement sets out the overall approach to the collaboration and intention to develop a separate Trade Diversification Plan (TDP). The Collaboration Agreement sets out clear roles, objectives and governance requirements, as well as aspects covering coordination, reporting and communication.

The Trade Diversification Plan will set out priority markets. To be eligible for the Trade Diversification Network, national peak industry bodies must represent members engaged in merchandise trade or technology.

A 'new' export market is foreign economy where an Australian business has not previously exported and made any sales, and to which it plans to expand its marketing and promotional activities.

By strengthening collaboration with industry and working across government, ANMI will deliver strategic initiatives that will aim to deliver enduring outcomes, strengthen supply chains, build long-term trade resilience and growth opportunities for Australian businesses, including those in regional and rural areas.

Examples of activities that may feature in a plan include joint trade missions, activities and tradeshow, buyer engagement, export acceleration programs, insights and sector reports, retail promotions.

Peak bodies and others around industry and government coming together is a key success factor. This will go beyond the plans executed during the 2-year program.