About this programme
Export Finance Australia is the Australian Government's export credit agency. Its guarantee product is not a loan from Export Finance Australia itself — it is a commitment the agency gives to your bank, backing you so the bank can approve finance it would otherwise decline for lack of security.
The guarantee sits behind an existing or new bank facility. Your bank still does the lending, sets the interest rate, and collects your repayments; Export Finance Australia's role is the security that lets the bank say yes on an export-related transaction, pre- or post-shipment working capital need, or international expansion.
It is aimed at exporters and supply-chain businesses who have a real export contract or expansion opportunity but cannot get the full amount of bank finance on their own — typically because they lack the collateral a bank would normally require.
How it works
Export Finance Australia guarantees a facility that your bank then provides — you deal with your bank for drawdowns and repayments, and the bank holds the Export Finance Australia guarantee as its security.
Facilities can be structured as short-term, longer-term, or revolving (line of credit); a revolving structure allows multiple drawdowns during the loan term, which helps manage cash flow across different stages of an export contract or expansion.
Guarantee facilities start from $350,000, with no stated upper limit — the size is set by the export contract or expansion need behind it.
Bonds under this product line can be issued in AUD, USD, EUR or GBP.
The bank sets the interest rate on the underlying finance; Export Finance Australia does not set it and only provides the guarantee.
Who can apply
Applicants need an Australian Company Number (ACN), at least 2 years trading history, and annual turnover above $250,000.
The business must have a valid export contract, or be delivering to an exporter as part of an export supply chain.
The core test is inability to secure the full amount of bank finance without additional support — the guarantee exists to close that gap, not to replace normal bank lending capacity.
How to apply
- Secure the export contract or international expansion opportunity the finance is for.
- Apply to your bank for the financing.
- You and your bank jointly apply to Export Finance Australia for the guarantee facility.
- Export Finance Australia assesses the application and issues the guarantee if approved.
- Your bank provides the loan or facility, backed by the Export Finance Australia guarantee.
- Repayments go to your bank, aligned with export revenue through the account relationship your bank manages.
Frequently asked
Do I repay Export Finance Australia directly?
No. The finance is provided by your bank, so repayments go directly to the bank. Export Finance Australia's role is limited to the guarantee that stands behind the facility.
Who sets the interest rate?
Your bank does. Export Finance Australia does not set the interest rate on the underlying loan or facility — it only provides the guarantee that lets the bank approve it.
What is the minimum facility size?
Guarantee facilities start from $350,000. There is no stated upper limit; the size is set by the value of the export contract or expansion opportunity behind it.
Can I draw down the facility more than once?
If the facility is structured as a revolving line of credit, yes — you can access multiple drawdowns during the loan term to manage cash flow across different stages of the contract.
How do I apply?
Applications go through your bank or directly with Export Finance Australia; an online application is not currently available for this product. The typical path is applying to your bank first, then applying jointly with your bank for the Export Finance Australia guarantee.
What currencies can bonds be issued in?
AUD, USD, EUR or GBP.
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.