The Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) is a government-funded scheme designed to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as they market their Australian-made goods and services to international audiences. The programme offers grants of up to 50% in matched funding for overseas promotional expenses to help eligible businesses expand into global markets.
Following a comprehensive review during the F25 programme pause, AusTrade has unveiled updated guidelines for Round 4 of the EMDG, which will commence in F26. Major changes include revised Tier funding caps and stricter eligibility requirements aimed at providing more targeted assistance for Australian exporters. Program and Tier eligiblity are now dependent on current export status as well as newly implemented requirements, such as minimum F24 annual turnover thresholds ($100,000 for Tier 1, $500,000 for Tier 2, and $1 million for Tier 3) and demonstrating the ability to spend at least $20,000 per FY on marketing and promotional activities without the assistance of grant funding.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants must provide evidence of established export revenue, and Tier 3 applicants are restricted to promoting in 17 specific countries which address Australia’s forward-looking international policy goals. Successful Tier 1 applicants will also be required to complete an online export training module through Austrade.
Unlike recent Rounds of the Program wherein all applicants received a portion of the funding pool, Round 4 is now a first-come, first-serve eligibility program with known funding amounts for each Tier. The new maximum grant amounts per financial year are as follows:
- Tier 1: $30,000
- Tier 2: $50,000
- Tier 3: $80,000
The updated guidelines have also set new limits on the total number of years an applicant can access each Tier. Across an applicant’s 8 years of EMDG eligibility, they can access Tier 1 for up to two years, and Tier 2 and 3 for up to four years each.
These changes aim to ensure that EMDG funding is better directed to businesses with the capacity and readiness to expand internationally.
Round 4 of the EMDG programme will cover both the F26 and F27 financial year periods, with applications opening on 12th November 2024. As this round operates on a first-come, first-served basis, businesses are encouraged to submit applications early, as no further applications will be processed once the funding pool has been depleted. To reserve your spot and ensure your application is ready for submission, please contact us as soon as possible.
If you'd like to learn more about the EMDG program and what funding opportunities may be available to you, please feel free to book a complimentary consultation with our grant writing experts.
For more information on how we can best support your business, head to our website at www.sproutscientific.com or contact us at info@sproutscientific.com.