Export Market Development Grant in Melbourne

Who Is Eligible for the Export Market Development Grant?

To be eligible for the EMDG, an applicant must be an Australian entity (company, partnership, sole trader, or trust) that is promoting the export of goods, services, intellectual property, or know-how from Australia. The entity must have total income below $100 million in the grant year and must have incurred at least $50,000 in eligible export promotion expenses during the grant period. New and established exporters can both apply, though the tier they access depends on their export revenue history and promotional expenditure level.

What Are the Three Tiers of EMDG Funding?

The EMDG operates on a three-tier structure introduced in the 2021–22 program year. Tier 1 is for new or emerging exporters — the grant reimburses up to 50% of eligible expenses between $50,000 and $150,000, up to a maximum grant of $50,000, for up to two years. Tier 2 is for developing exporters — reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible expenses between $50,000 and $350,000, up to $100,000 per year, for up to three years. Tier 3 is for established exporters — reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible expenses between $50,000 and $500,000, up to $150,000 per year, for up to three years. Approval under each tier requires a separate application and Austrade assessment.

What Expenses Are Eligible Under the EMDG?

Eligible EMDG expenses include: international travel and accommodation for export promotion purposes (flights and hotels for overseas trade missions and customer meetings), trade show and exhibition costs (booth space, display materials, registration fees), overseas representation costs (fees paid to export market representatives or agents), marketing and promotional materials prepared for overseas markets (translation, international website localisation, overseas advertising), product registration and intellectual property costs in target export markets, and some consulting fees directly related to export development. Expenses must be incurred in Australia or in a target export market — general business operating costs and domestic-only marketing expenses are not eligible.

How Does the EMDG Application Process Work?

EMDG applications are submitted to Austrade annually following the end of the grant year (1 July to 30 June). Applicants submit evidence of eligible expenses — invoices, receipts, bank statements, and travel records — along with a description of the export promotion activities conducted. Austrade assesses the application against eligibility criteria and the tier thresholds, and notifies the applicant of the grant amount. Applications are lodged through the Austrade grants portal. The application deadline is typically 30 November following the grant year. We assist Melbourne businesses with expense identification, record-keeping during the grant year, and application preparation to maximise eligible expenditure claims.

What Export Goods and Services Qualify for the EMDG?

The EMDG covers the promotion of goods manufactured or produced in Australia, services provided from Australia including tourism, education, professional services, software, and creative services, intellectual property developed in Australia, and events held in Australia that attract international attendees. Service exporters — including Melbourne professional services firms, software companies, and creative agencies — are well-positioned to access the EMDG for costs incurred in developing overseas client relationships, attending international conferences, and localising their service offerings for specific markets.