Key Takeaways
1) EMDG supports Australian exporters undertaking eligible international marketing and promotional activities.
2) Eligibility depends on your business and export activities, including turnover, export experience and the relevant grant tier.
3) Accurate expense apportionment is important, particularly where costs relate to both Australian and overseas activities.
4) Preparation and documentation matter. Businesses should maintain clear records of proposed activities, budgets and eligible expenditure.
5) Rimon Advisory provides specialist EMDG consulting, helping businesses navigate eligibility, documentation and Austrade submission requirements.
Expanding into international markets can create significant growth opportunities for Australian businesses, but the costs of marketing and promoting products overseas can add up quickly.
The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program, administered by Austrade, helps eligible Australian businesses fund export promotional activities and pursue international growth.
However, navigating the eligibility requirements, preparing documentation and identifying eligible expenditure can be challenging.
At Rimon Advisory, we provide export market development grant application support, helping Australian exporters understand the EMDG requirements, prepare well-supported applications and reduce the administrative burden.
What Is the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG)?
The Export Market Development Grants program is an Australian Government initiative designed to support small and medium businesses entering, expanding or diversifying into international markets.
The program provides matched funding for eligible export marketing and promotional activities, subject to the requirements of the relevant grant round.
Under the most recent round, businesses could apply through three grant tiers:
Grant amounts, eligibility criteria and funding availability depend on the relevant round.
Important: EMDG Round 4 is closed, and Austrade has not yet announced the next application round. Businesses considering future applications should monitor Austrade’s announcements and prepare early.
For official information, visit Austrade’s EMDG program page.
Who Can Apply for an EMDG Grant?
EMDG may be available to Australian businesses preparing to enter international markets or looking to expand their existing export activities.
Eligibility depends on several factors, including the applicant’s turnover, export history, financial capacity, proposed marketing activities and the specific requirements of the grant tier.
For example:
An Australian software company entering overseas markets
A software company planning to introduce its platform to international customers may be able to apply for funding to support eligible overseas promotional activities.
An Australian manufacturer expanding its export operations
A manufacturer already selling overseas may seek support for additional marketing campaigns, promotional materials or activities designed to attract more international buyers.
An established exporter targeting new markets
An Australian business expanding into a new eligible key market may be able to apply under the relevant grant tier, provided it meets the applicable criteria.
These examples illustrate potential uses of EMDG. Eligibility must be assessed against the relevant grant guidelines.
What Expenses Can Be Supported by EMDG?
Eligible EMDG expenditure can include a range of activities undertaken to promote Australian products and services internationally.
Depending on the applicable grant guidelines, these may include:
- Overseas marketing and advertising campaigns.
- International trade shows and promotional events.
- Travel undertaken specifically for eligible export promotion.
- Engaging consultants for international market research or promotional activities.
- Producing marketing materials for overseas customers.
- Certain costs associated with protecting intellectual property internationally.
Not every overseas business expense qualifies.
For example, a marketing campaign targeting both Australian and overseas customers may require the expenditure to be apportioned to identify the eligible export promotion component.
Similarly, overseas travel that includes both export promotional meetings and unrelated business activities may require careful assessment.
Rimon Advisory helps businesses review their expenditure, identify potentially eligible costs and determine appropriate apportionment, reducing the risk of including unsupported expenses in an application or subsequent reporting.
Why Professional EMDG Grant Application Support Matters
An EMDG application involves more than demonstrating that a business intends to grow internationally.
Applicants need to establish that they satisfy the program’s eligibility requirements and provide sufficient information about their proposed export marketing activities.
This can require substantial preparation, particularly for businesses managing multiple international markets, marketing campaigns and expense categories.
Specialist grant submission assistance can help businesses address these requirements efficiently.
1. Eligibility Assessment
Before preparing an application, businesses should establish whether they satisfy the relevant EMDG criteria.
Rimon Advisory helps businesses assess their circumstances, identify the potentially applicable grant tier and understand the documentation required to support eligibility.
2. Expense Review and Apportionment
Export promotion expenses are not always straightforward.
Some costs may be entirely attributable to international marketing, while others may relate to domestic activities or general business operations.
We help businesses distinguish potentially eligible expenditure from other costs and develop appropriate apportionment methods based on the available records and program requirements.
3. Documentation and Evidence
Supporting documentation can be an important part of both the application process and subsequent grant reporting.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include financial information, marketing plans, budgets, invoices, agreements and evidence of export promotional activities.
Rimon Advisory assists businesses in organising the information needed to support their EMDG position and address applicable Austrade requirements.
4. Application Preparation and Submission
Preparing a compliant EMDG application requires an understanding of the relevant guidelines, mandatory templates and online submission process.
Our grant application services focus on helping businesses prepare accurate information, address submission requirements and avoid unnecessary administrative complications.
5. Ongoing Grant Support
Receiving a grant agreement is not necessarily the end of the process.
Grant recipients may also need to provide milestone reports, supporting evidence and expenditure information before payments are assessed.
Rimon Advisory can assist businesses in understanding these obligations and preparing the information required for ongoing grant administration.
Why Choose Rimon Advisory for EMDG Consulting?
Australian exporters need advisors who understand the financial and compliance requirements of government incentive programs without making the process unnecessarily complicated.
Rimon Advisory combines specialist advisory experience with a practical, efficient approach to grant preparation.
Our focus is on providing businesses with clear advice, identifying relevant expenditure and helping them prepare well-supported submissions.
Working with Rimon Advisory provides access to:
- Specialist grant knowledge: Guidance on EMDG eligibility, eligible expenditure and submission requirements.
- Financial expertise: Assistance reviewing expenditure, calculating eligible portions and organising supporting records.
- A compliance-focused approach: Attention to documentation and the requirements of the applicable Austrade guidelines.
- Time-saving support: A structured process designed to reduce the administrative burden on business owners and finance teams.
- Ongoing assistance: Support with relevant reporting requirements and questions arising during the grant process.
Our objective is to make the EMDG process easier to manage while helping Australian businesses prepare accurate, appropriately supported applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDG
Can a business apply for EMDG if it has not started exporting?
Potentially, yes. Under Round 4, Tier 1 was designed for eligible Australian businesses that had not previously exported but were ready to begin. Applicants needed to satisfy specific requirements, including turnover, financial capacity and export readiness.
Future eligibility will depend on the guidelines issued for the relevant grant round.
What types of businesses can receive EMDG funding?
EMDG is designed to support eligible Australian small and medium enterprises exporting goods, services and other qualifying products, including software and intellectual property.
Eligibility depends on the program’s requirements, not simply the industry in which the business operates.
Can overseas marketing and advertising expenses qualify for EMDG?
Yes, certain international marketing and advertising expenses may qualify where they meet the applicable guidelines. Expenses involving both domestic and export activities may require apportionment.
Does EMDG cover all international expansion costs?
No. EMDG focuses on specified eligible export promotional activities and, in certain circumstances, export training. General operating expenses and other costs outside the program’s eligible categories are not automatically covered.
Can Rimon Advisory help prepare an EMDG application?
Yes. Rimon Advisory provides EMDG grant consulting and application support, including eligibility assessment, expenditure review, documentation preparation and assistance with applicable Austrade submission requirements.
When will the next EMDG grant round open?
As at October 2026, Austrade has not announced an opening date for the next EMDG application round. Businesses should refer to Austrade’s official website for updated application dates and requirements.
Prepare for Your Next Export Growth Opportunity
International market expansion requires planning, investment and a clear understanding of available funding opportunities.
For Australian businesses considering EMDG, preparing early can make it easier to assess eligibility, organise supporting documents and understand which promotional activities may qualify.
Rimon Advisory provides EMDG grant application support for Australian exporters, helping businesses navigate the requirements with confidence and minimise unnecessary administration.
Contact Rimon Advisory to discuss your EMDG eligibility and application preparation.
