The future of Export Market Development Grant... New & Improved!
Simplifying the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) scheme
The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme will be simplified and reoriented from a scheme providing assistance through reimbursement after expenditure to an upfront grant agreement. This will give eligible exporters funding certainty before they embark on their marketing and promotion activities.
The reoriented EMDG program will maintain features valued by SME exporters and industry bodies, while making it simpler to access.
Want to find out more?
Watch the recording of the Webinar held on Thursday 17 September 2020 to learn more about the findings and recommendations from the Review and what this means for the EMDG program going forward.
Support for exporters
In the reoriented EMDG program, multi-year grants will be available for eligible SMEs at three stages of their export journey:
- Eligible SMEs who are new to export will be able to access grants totalling up to $80,000 over two years.
- For eligible exporters who plan to expand their presence in current markets or enter new markets, grants totalling up to $240,000 over three years will be available.
- Finally, those exporters who continue to expand into new markets will be able to access further grants totalling up to $450,000 over three years.
To be eligible for the EMDG program, SMEs will need to be export-ready and have a turnover of less than $20 million.
Unlike the current reimbursement scheme which saw exporters waiting up to two years for payments, eligible SMEs will be able to get upfront funding certainty over multiple years for eligible marketing and promotional activities.
Assistance for industry bodies and alliances
Assistance to industry bodies and alliances will be expanded to provide help for members who are new to export to become export-ready.
Industry bodies and alliances will continue to have access to financial assistance to enable them to undertake promotional activities on behalf of their members in international markets.
Grants will be for up to $150,000 per year.
What is the status of the EMDG scheme for financial year 2020-21?
Current EMDG arrangements remain in place this financial year.
Reform process
The Export Market Development Grants Act 1997 will be amended to give effect to these changes. Key principles will be retained in the legislation, while the rules and administration of the program will be moved into subordinate legislation and guidelines, simplifying scheme administration.
