How to apply

Choose your tier and get ready to apply for the next grant round, Round 4.

EMDG Round 4 opening dates

There are different opening dates for representative bodies and each tier. The times and dates are:

  • Representative bodies – 10am AEDT on 6 November
  • Tier 1 – ready to export – 10am AEDT on 12 November
  • Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets – 10am AEDT on 12 November
  • Tier 3 – exporting to new key markets – 10am AEDT on 12 November.

You must submit your application through the EMDG online portal.

Please check the portal for regular updates on:

  • the progress of grant allocations by tier
  • open or closed status of each tier.

This is a demand-driven grant opportunity. We will assess and award grants to eligible applicants in order of application receipt. Once funding is fully allocated for each tier, we will close the online portal for each tier.

Even if you lodge your application prior to the closure of the online portal, you may not be successful. This is because the grant funding may have been already fully allocated to other grant recipients.

The next grant round is Round 4

To apply for the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) program in Round 4 you must:

Application form and EMDG online portal

You must submit your application through the EMDG online portal. Make sure you have your information ready when you apply.

Give yourself plenty of time to set up your portal access and prepare the required information. Then you can lodge your application when the portal opens.

Once you’ve applied, you can access the EMDG online portal for a record of your application form and updates on your application status.

Prepare in advance and apply early

EMDG funding is limited and Austrade treats all applicants the same. Applications are assessed in the order they are received.

For Round 4, we expect to receive a large volume of applications. Tiers will be closed to applications once funding for that tier is fully allocated. Not all applicants will receive funding.

This 3-minute video, Preparing to apply for EMDG, is an overview of what to do to get your EMDG application ready.

This quick video is an overview of how to get ready to apply for an Export Market Development Grant.

Most importantly, go to the Austrade website and read the grant guidelines. Everything you need to know is in here, like which tier you may be eligible for.

There are 3 separate tiers for small and medium businesses and one for representative bodies. Each has its own specific requirements for applicants.

For example, if you are a representative body, you'll need to provide your Constitution or Memorandum of Incorporation or Articles of Association.

While you're on the website, download the sample application form. It lays out the questions asked of every applicant and the special requirements for each tier.

Both businesses and representative bodies will need to gather up: 

  • your Government Digital Identity, so please get one if you don't have one
  • your Australian Business Number, along with proof you've been operating under that number for at least two years
  • your Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSIC code. That's the 4-digit industry classification that describes your main business activity.

We'll also need proof you're complying with Australian tax laws – proof like your business activity statement.

As a business, you must also show your evidence that your product or service is of substantially Australian origin.

You must also show you can meet the minimum financial turnover for your tier, have the capacity to spend at least $20,000 of your own money on proposed eligible activities, and can match your grant amount with your own funds.

Businesses and representative bodies must prepare a high-quality plan to market to detail how you intend to spend on eligible promotional activities in ways that expand what you already do.

If you are a representative body delivering export training, you must complete the export training plan.

To prepare these plans, use the mandatory templates on the website or in the online application itself.

When you think you are ready, double-check everything against the application form.

When the next EMDG round opens, go to the EMDG portal and log in.

If you're fully prepared, it'll take about an hour to complete your application.

And a heads up, grant funding is limited. Applications will close once funds are allocated. The better prepared you are and the earlier you apply, the better your chance of success.

For now though, go to the Austrade website, find out when the next grant round is opening, read those guidelines, and start preparing.

Go to austrade.gov.au/emdg

Specific forms, templates and requirements

Each tier has specific requirements for applicants.

Choose your tier below. You will find the checklist, sample application form and plan to market documents relevant to you. You will also find mandatory templates that you must complete and upload to your application.

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