About this programme
Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) is an Australian Government programme that reimburses part of what a small or medium business spends on marketing and promoting its goods, services or intellectual property overseas. It is matched funding, not an upfront grant: the business spends its own money on eligible export promotion first, and Austrade reimburses a share of that spend after the fact.
Austrade (the Australian Trade and Investment Commission) administers the programme. It exists to help Australian SMEs and industry representative bodies build export markets by offsetting some of the cost of activities such as overseas travel, marketing materials, consultants, trade fairs and export training — costs that can otherwise put export development out of reach for smaller businesses.
The programme runs through Australian small and medium enterprises directly (assessed against one of three tiers based on export readiness) and through representative bodies that promote exports or export training on behalf of their SME members. As of this record, EMDG Round 4 has closed to new applications and Austrade has not yet confirmed the timing of the next round.
How it works
EMDG has three tiers for SMEs plus a separate category for representative bodies. Tier 1 (ready to export) grants $20,000 up to $30,000 per financial year; Tier 2 (exporting within existing markets) grants $20,000 up to $50,000 per financial year; Tier 3 (exporting to new key markets) grants $20,000 up to $80,000 per financial year. Representative bodies can receive up to $50,000 per financial year. These amounts apply to the 2025–26 and 2026–27 financial years.
The core mechanic is matched funding: an applicant must have the capacity to spend at least $20,000 of its own money on the proposed eligible activities, and the grant reimburses a share of that spend rather than funding it upfront.
Products being promoted must be of substantially Australian origin, and can be goods, services, events, intellectual property/know-how, or software.
There is a lifetime limit on how long a business can draw EMDG assistance: businesses can receive EMDG grants for a maximum of 8 financial years in total, with tier-specific sub-limits — up to 2 years on Tier 1, and up to 4 years each on Tier 2 and Tier 3.
Who can apply
Applicants must be Australian SMEs (assessed against Tier 1, 2 or 3 depending on export readiness and existing export activity) or representative bodies that provide export training to members or undertake new export promotional activity on behalf of SME members.
A business must have the capacity to spend at least $20,000 of its own money — exclusive of the grant — on the proposed eligible activities in the grant year; this is the matched-funding floor across all tiers.
The products or services being promoted must be of substantially Australian origin and bring significant net benefit to Australia.
Businesses must have been operating for at least 2 years under the same Australian Business Number, and must meet a minimum annual turnover requirement that varies by tier. Tier 1 applicants must also have completed approved export training and/or an export-readiness assessment.
A business can draw EMDG assistance for a maximum of 8 financial years in total across its lifetime (Tier 1 capped at 2 years, Tier 2 and Tier 3 each capped at 4 years); once that limit is reached, the business is no longer eligible for further EMDG grants.
Detailed, tier-specific eligibility requirements — including the exact turnover thresholds and activity-level exclusions — are set out in the EMDG Guidelines for the relevant round; Austrade directs applicants to read those guidelines before applying.
How to apply
- Read the EMDG Guidelines for the current round and the eligibility criteria for the applicable tier before starting an application.
- Set up a Government Digital Identity, and have the Australian Business Number ready with at least two years of operating history where required.
- Have the ANZSIC industry code (the 4-digit classification for the business) on hand.
- Gather financial documentation: proof of tax compliance (for example a business activity statement) and evidence of turnover meeting the requirement for the chosen tier.
- Prepare evidence of the capacity to spend at least $20,000 of the business's own money on the proposed eligible activities.
- Complete the mandatory plan-to-market template for the tier being applied under (or the export training plan, for representative bodies).
- Set up access to the EMDG online portal and submit the application through it. Austrade notes that a fully prepared application takes about an hour to lodge, and applications are assessed in the order they are received.
- After lodging, use the online portal to track the application status and, once a grant is offered, to manage the resulting grant agreement.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Government Digital Identity
- Australian Business Number, with proof of at least two years of operating history where the tier requires it
- ANZSIC industry code (4-digit classification)
- Proof of tax compliance, e.g. a business activity statement
- Evidence of turnover meeting the applicable tier requirement
- Evidence of capacity to spend at least $20,000 of own funds on the proposed activities
- A completed plan-to-market template (or export training plan for representative bodies)
Frequently asked
What does EMDG actually pay for?
EMDG reimburses part of what an eligible business spends on export marketing and promotion — such as overseas representative costs, export-related travel, consultants, buyer visits, samples, promotional materials, IP rights and export training — after the business has spent its own money on those activities first.
How much can a business receive?
It depends on the tier: Tier 1 pays $20,000 up to $30,000 per financial year, Tier 2 pays $20,000 up to $50,000, Tier 3 pays $20,000 up to $80,000, and representative bodies can receive up to $50,000 per financial year (2025–26 and 2026–27 figures).
Is EMDG an upfront grant?
No. It is matched funding: the applicant must be able to spend at least $20,000 of its own money on the proposed activities, and the grant reimburses a share of that spend rather than paying out in advance.
Is there a lifetime limit on how long a business can claim EMDG?
Yes. A business can receive EMDG grants for a maximum of 8 financial years across its lifetime, with tier-specific sub-limits: up to 2 years on Tier 1, and up to 4 years each on Tier 2 and Tier 3.
Is EMDG currently open for applications?
No. Austrade has closed Round 4 to new applications and has stated it will update its website once the timing of the next round is confirmed.
What products can be promoted under an EMDG grant?
The product being promoted must be of substantially Australian origin. Eligible product types include goods, services, events, intellectual property or know-how, and software.
Who can apply — only exporters?
SMEs at any of three export-readiness stages can apply (Tier 1 for businesses getting ready to export, Tier 2 for those exporting within existing markets, and Tier 3 for those expanding into new markets), and representative bodies can apply on behalf of their SME members for export promotion or export training activity.
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.