About this programme
Landing Pads is Austrade's market-entry support programme for export-ready Australian tech scaleups. It is not a grant or an investment — it is structured help getting into a foreign tech market: advisory, introductions to customers, partners and investors, and visibility at pitch events, delivered by Austrade's own team and local in-market partners.
The programme runs in five markets: Indonesia (Jakarta), Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States (San Francisco), and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City). Each market runs its own cycle with its own sector focus and delivery format, so a company applies to a specific Landing Pad, not to the programme as a single national scheme.
Delivery blends virtual and in-market components — market briefings, self-paced learning, live webinars, in-market delegations timed around major trade shows and industry events, and, in the US, access to shared physical space at Mindspace in San Francisco's Financial District. Sector focus varies by market: fintech, AI, cybersecurity and climate tech recur across most locations, with medtech and green-economy content also emphasised for 2026-27.
Over the twelve months to the 2026-27 announcement, Austrade said the programme had supported 327 unique Australian scaleups across 13 Landing Pad programmes.
How it works
Each of the five markets (Indonesia, Singapore, UK, US, Vietnam) runs Landing Pad activity on its own cycle rather than one continuous national intake — cadence is genuinely cyclical, tied to the market's own calendar of trade shows and delegations.
For 2026-27, a virtual UK export bootcamp is scheduled to launch in September 2026, and a virtual US export bootcamp in October 2026, alongside in-market delegations timed to events such as Tech Week Singapore (28-30 September 2026) and the Singapore FinTech Festival (18-20 November 2026).
Companies accepted into a Landing Pad get tailored advisory support, help validating their proposition in the target market, facilitated introductions to customers, partners and funding sources, and access to pitch events where they present to potential investors.
The programme sits alongside two related, lower-commitment Austrade resources: the Australian Dealroom Ecosystem (free company profile for visibility to investors) and the Go Global Toolkit (free general export guidance) — companies not yet ready for a full Landing Pad can start there.
Who can apply
Austrade looks for companies that already have an operational product with real customers and/or partners — Landing Pads is a scale-up market-entry tool, not a pre-product accelerator.
The business needs funding in place for international expansion, with Austrade specifying at least 12 months of runway, and needs to be able to articulate clear objectives and a vision for growth in the target market.
There should be a concrete reason to expand into that specific market — existing sales, live leads, or an identified market opportunity — rather than a general interest in going global.
Companies must be tech-enabled with a scalable product or service, and are expected to maintain appropriate business ethics and legal compliance, including anti-bribery obligations under both Australian and the target market's law.
How to apply
- Applications are managed separately for each market/cohort, not through one central rolling form — there is no single "apply now" button that covers all five Landing Pads at once.
- Austrade distributes Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for upcoming cohorts through its own channels: LinkedIn, its newsletters, and direct communications, with the specific EOI setting out what that particular programme involves.
- Submitted applications go through an initial Austrade assessment against Stage 1 criteria; companies that clear Stage 1 are then assessed against Stage 2 criteria before a place is confirmed.
- Companies can register interest or ask questions via the Landing Pads enquiry form on the official page, or by emailing landingpads@austrade.gov.au.
Frequently asked
Is Landing Pads a grant or does it give equity funding?
No. Landing Pads is a market-entry support service — advisory, introductions, and market access — not a cash grant, loan or equity investment. Austrade's own materials do not describe any direct funding component.
Which markets does Landing Pads currently cover?
Five: Indonesia (Jakarta), Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States (San Francisco), and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City). Each runs its own cycle and sector focus rather than a single combined programme.
What stage does my company need to be at to apply?
Austrade expects an operational product with existing customers or partners, at least 12 months of funding runway for the expansion, and a specific reason to enter that market (existing sales, leads, or a clear opportunity) — this is a scale-up tool, not for pre-revenue or pre-product companies.
How do I apply, and is there a standing application form?
There is no single standing application. Austrade opens an Expression of Interest for each market/cohort and announces it via LinkedIn, its newsletters and direct communications; applicants that clear an initial Stage 1 review are then assessed against Stage 2 criteria.
Is there a cost to join a Landing Pad?
Austrade's public Landing Pads pages do not state a participation fee. If a market cycle carries any cost, it would be set out in that market's specific Expression of Interest — check directly with landingpads@austrade.gov.au before assuming it is free.
What happens once a company is accepted?
Accepted companies get tailored advisory support, help validating their offer in the target market, facilitated introductions to customers, partners and investors, and typically a pitch event or similar visibility opportunity — the exact mix is set by the specific market's programme.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.