Australian Business Grant Funding Opportunities
All Australian business are eligible to apply for the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG or ‘Export Grant’).
The program has been a cornerstone of the Federal Government’s financial support initiatives, significantly aiding the growth of [industry] in expanding into international markets.
Below is the latest update from AusTrade regarding the EMDG.
We have worked with many businesses that have successfully applied for this government support.
The funding received has helped them reach new customers in critical overseas markets.
The EMDG continues to be a key strategic initiative for a business owner looking to develop and execute a successful international marketing strategy.
EMDG Program | Key Dates, Eligibility, and Application Process
The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program is the Australian Government’s premier initiative to support SMEs in developing and expanding their export markets.
This entitlement-based, eligibility-driven, and demand-responsive program aims to foster the creation, development, and expansion of foreign markets for Australian products.
The EMDG program offers targeted financial assistance for marketing and promotional activities, as well as the development of marketing skills, to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a turnover of less than $20m, and representative organisations.
While the government hasn’t officially closed the EMDG program, recent Federal Budget cuts and a planned ‘strategic refocus’ (details below) will impact future rounds.
EMDG Past Rounds: Key Dates and Status
Currently, there are no open grant rounds for applications.
Rounds One (2021), Two (2022), and Three (2023) of the EMDG program have closed, and funds are fully committed.
Over 9,600 businesses across the three rounds will continue to receive grant payments throughout the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years, provided they meet their grant obligations.
EMDG Future Rounds
The EMDG information on the Austrade website applies to Rounds One, Two, and Three, but not to Round Four.
Amended rules are expected for Round Four, likely to open in late 2024 or early 2025, subject to the program’s ‘strategic refocus’.
This includes:
- Developing and approving revised EMDG rules and grant guidelines
- Developing program documentation
- Conducting communication and outreach activities
- Updating the EMDG online portal and grants management platform
Austrade aims to assess Round Four applications and issue grant agreements before the start of the 2025/26 financial year, with payments starting from July 2025.
Any changes to the program details, including guidelines, will be communicated by Austrade once they are finalised and released.
EMDG Program Eligibility
Eligible applicants can receive up to $770,000 over a total of eight financial years.
These funds can be used for:
- Promotional activities to market eligible products—such as goods, services, events, intellectual property (IP), and software—in foreign markets.
- Training activities to enhance marketing skills.
The eight financial years do not need to be consecutive.
For details regarding eligible types of expenses get in touch with us at Blackwattle Tax.
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Disclaimer: We endeavour to make sure the information provided in this guidance is up to date and accurate. Please note, that the information is only intended to be a guide, with a general overview of information. This guidance is not a comprehensive document and should not be interpreted as legal advice or tax advice. The information is general in nature. You should seek the assistance of a professional opinion for any legal and tax issues related to your personal circumstances.
