Take on the world with the EMDG
It's the grant that helps Aussie SMEs take on the world! You can spend up large when establishing your overseas customer base for exports, with the EMDG here to fund a decent slice of that loaf, allowing you to make like Vegemite and spread across the globe.
What is the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG)?
The EMDG is an Australian Government program to help businesses grow business exports through export promotion.
It is essentially a cash rebate scheme administered by Austrade*, which is available for developing the market for your business in any country overseas (except New Zealand). The EMDG scheme entitles a business to a 50% reimbursement of expenses meeting certain criteria, with up to $150,000 available per year**.
*As at July 2024, Austrade is making changes to the EMDG and we're awaiting confirmation about the updated program. This page will be updated with the latest EMDG details as we receive them.
**in reality, the grant gets oversubscribed and payments range from $15,000 to $100,000 per year
What's Export Promotion?
The EMDG supports eight categories of export promotional activities, including costs for:
- Overseas representatives
- Marketing consultants or agencies
- Domestic and international trips
- Free samples
- IP registration and related insurance
- Trade fairs, conferences, seminars and in-store promotions
- Promotional literature and advertising
- Foreign buyer visits
- Training for export readiness
Is My Business Eligible For The EMDG?
A range of businesses are eligible for the Export Market Development Grant.
These are the key criteria*:
- You can be an individual, partnership, company or trust.
- You need to have a turnover of less than $20 million for the last financial year.
- You must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
- You have not received over $770,000 of EMDG over eight years.
The business must be promoting for export:
- Goods
- Services (most are eligible)
- Inbound tourism
- Intellectual property and know-how
- Conferences and events held in Australia
- Software
*Subject to change under the updated EMDG program currently being developed by Austrade. We will update this page with the latest details as we receive them from Austrade.
What Is The Process For Claiming The EMDG?
There are no grant rounds currently open for applications. The EMDG information on the Austrade website applies to Rounds 1, 2 and 3. It will not apply to Round 4. Amended rules are expected to apply to Round 4 of EMDG.
Austrade will communicate all changes when the program details, including guidelines, are finalised and released. Round 4 is likely to open in late 2024 or early 2025.
How Can BlueRock Help You To Claim The EMDG?
As EMDG experts, we demystify the complex regulation and offer guidance to ensure you get the best funding outcome.
BlueRock can help you by:
- confirming your eligibility
- undertaking a detailed analysis of your eligible expenses
- completing any application forms and assisting with the collection and preparation of supporting documentation
- managing and assisting with correspondence to Austrade
- supporting you through any acquittals processes.
