In its 50th year, our Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program is still integral to this purpose. Austrade refocused the program to ensure it delivers the right support to the right businesses at the right time. The refocused EMDG Round 4 opened in late 2024 after extensive consultation and research.
In previous rounds, demand increased and grants got smaller as funding was shared among all eligible applicants across the grant rounds. Feedback from industry and grantees indicated grant amounts were too small to be useful.
Average grants for Round 4 in executed grant agreements so far have risen to $53,000 per financial year. This is more than double the average grant value from Rounds 1-3.
Austrade included maximum grant amounts for Round 4 in the Grant Guidelines. We announced the maximum grant amounts before the grant round opened. This gave certainty on the amount of funding available. Some grantees will even receive partial funding at the start of the grant year.
When it comes to export success, one size does not fit all. EMDG’s importance to Australian business means it is regularly reviewed. This ensures it’s delivering on its promise to help businesses start or grow as exporters.
Representative bodies play an important role in supporting Australian exporters.
‘The grant will enable us to strategically target emerging markets while strengthening our foothold in existing regions,’ says Michael Murray, General Manager of Cotton Australia.
‘Because our cotton production system varies greatly from production systems used in most parts of the world, a key part of our promotion is demonstrating to brands our sustainability and quality credentials.’
Austrade identified key markets for trade diversification based on Australia’s ‘Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040’, exporter surveys and customs data. Market diversification was built into the eligibility criteria for Tier 3 applicants in Round 4. Businesses at this turnover threshold are likely best placed to successfully target new markets.
Austrade designed Tiers 1 and 2 of EMDG Round 4 to help businesses new to export and those exporting in existing markets. We introduced new eligibility criteria to ensure the limited number of grants go to businesses that are ready to start or expand exporting.
Tier 1 businesses had to do an Export Readiness Test to show they were ready to make the most of the funding. Austrade-recognised export training courses are also available in Austrade’s Go Global Toolkit.
EMDG is one of many programs available to Australian businesses to help with their export journey. The Australian Government’s Business website lists information, grants, services and support from across government to help business succeed, including export loans from Export Finance Australia. Australian state and territory governments also offer a range of:
EMDG-funded representative bodies may also be able to support small businesses to prepare for exporting.
Austrade’s Go Global Toolkit helps you learn the export basics, find the right markets and understand market requirements.