Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)

This program aims to encourage businesses to increase international marketing and promotion expenditure to achieve more sustainable international sales. The program is a key Australian Government financial assistance program for small to medium aspiring and growing export-ready businesses.

The scheme reimburses up to 50% of eligible export promotion expenses above $5,000 provided that the total expenses are at least $15,000. It supports eight categories of promotional activities, including:
- Overseas representatives (up to $200,000)
- Marketing consultants (up to $50,000)
- Marketing visits (65% of first-class airfares and an allowance of $350 per day, capped at 21 days)
- Free samples (up to $15,000)
- IP registration and related insurance (up to $50,000)
- Trade fairs, seminars, in-store promotions
- Promotional literature and advertising
- Overseas buyers (a total of $7,500 per buyer per visit, totalling $45,000 per application)

Each applicant may receive a grant of up to $150,000 per application (subject to available funds), to a maximum of eight annual grants. GST will not apply to EMDG grants.

Members of related company groups may apply individually. The maximum payable to a group of related companies in total is $250,000 per year.

Grants will be paid under a split-payment system which will be paid in two rounds:
- Round 1: An initial payment of grant entitlements up to the initial payment ceiling amount.
- Round 2: A second-tranche payment of grant entitlements above the initial payment ceiling amount (subject to available funds).

Applicants must complete and submit their online application, including all required documents, between 1 July and 30 November 2020, or use an approved EMDG Quality Incentive Program (QIP) Consultant who can lodge a claim on their behalf until 2 March 2021.

A total funding pool of $137.9 million is available annually.

On 1 April 2020, the Federal Government announced an increase in funding for this scheme by $49.8 million in the 2019-20 financial year. This supplements the additional $60 million already committed by the Government, and brings EMDG funding to its highest level in more than 20 years at $207.7 million for the 2019-20 financial year.

Eligible applicants include any Australian individual, partnership, company, association, co-operative, statutory corporation or trust carrying on business in Australia that 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).
- Promoted one of the following:
a) The export of goods or most services
b) Inbound tourism
c) The export of intellectual property and know-how
d) Conferences and events held in Australia

Certain organisations and groups, who would not otherwise be eligible to apply for a grant under the general provisions of the EMDG Act can obtain approved status to enable them to apply for a grant in their own right. The two categories of approved status available are:
- Approved Body: An export-focused peak industry association promoting on behalf of its industry.
- Joint Venture: A group of small to medium Australian businesses cooperating in a joint venture-style marketing arrangement.

Please refer to the Eligibility Checklist for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible products must be one of the following:
- A good made in Australia.
- A good made outside Australia where Australia will derive a significant net benefit from its sale overseas.
- A service except those specified as ineligible in the EMDG Regulations.
- A tourism service (including accommodation, passenger transport or tours).
- A conference or event held in Australia.
- A event held in Australia.
- An intellectual property right that mainly resulted from work done in Australia.
- A trade mark first used in Australia, or which has significantly increased in value from its use in Australia.
- Know-how that mainly resulted from work done in Australia.

Please refer to EMDG in Brief for the list of ineligible expenses and exports.