What is EMDG?

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters. Administered by Austrade, the scheme supports a wide range of industries.

The EMDG scheme:

• encourages small- and medium-sized Australian businesses to develop export markets
• reimburses up to 50 per cent of eligible export promotion expenses above $5,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $15,000
• provides up to eight grants to each eligible applicant.

See EMDG at a glance for an overview of the scheme.

Who can apply?

Any Australian individual, partnership, company, association, co-operative, statutory corporation or trust that has carried on export promotion activities during the year for which they seek an export grant can apply.

To be eligible, the business must have:

• income of not more than $50 million in the grant year
• incurred at least $15,000 of eligible expenses under the scheme (first-time applicants can combine two years expenses)
• principal status for the export business (some exceptions apply, such as non-profit export-focused industry bodies).

The business also must have promoted one of the following:

• the export of goods or most services
• inbound tourism
• the export of intellectual property and know-how
• conferences and events held in Australia

Eligibility checklist

The EMDG eligibility checklist has been designed to help you understand whether you should consider applying for EMDG assistance. Austrade suggests that you clarify any uncertainty about EMDG eligibility issues before applying for a grant.

Please note that this checklist is provided only to assist you, as a potential applicant, to assess whether your business might potentially be eligible for EMDG assistance. The information generated by this checklist is not advice, and does not form part of the application assessment process. Applications must be lodged with Austrade, and will be assessed in accordance with the EMDG Act. The checklist should not be used as a substitute for advice.

For more information, head to the Austrade website: https://bit.ly/37Pme0i