Export Market Development Grant

Access funding to take your business global

Learn how these grants help Australian businesses start and grow their exports.

Access funding to take your business global

The Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) helps Australian businesses expand into international markets by reimbursing eligible export marketing and expansion costs.

If your business is looking to sell, promote, or scale your product or service overseas, EMDG provides financial support to help you enter new global markets confidently and strategically.

Why the EMDG Matters

  • Helps you reduce the cost of entering new international markets

  • Covers up to 50% of export marketing and expansion expenses

  • Supports global growth through three funding tiers depending on your stage

  • Strengthens your business profile for further export grants and Austrade support

  • Positions you as a credible exporter, increasing your visibility and funding potential

Who It’s For

  • Has an active ABN and is Australian-based and for-profit

  • Has less than $20 million in annual turnover

  • Is selling or preparing to sell products or services internationally

  • Is actively planning or investing in export marketing

  • Has a structured export plan or intent to expand globally

Take the EMDG Readiness Check and find out in under 2 minutes.

Eligible EMDG Activities Can Include:

The Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) allows you to recover a significant portion of your international expansion costs, transforming your marketing, travel and partnership efforts into a strategic, co-funded growth opportunity.

Instead of carrying the full cost of going global alone, EMDG enables you to leverage government support to scale with confidence, ensuring every step you take toward international markets builds momentum — not pressure on cash flow.

  • Attending international trade shows, expos, or missions

  • Export marketing campaigns, including digital and partner promotions

  • Overseas travel to meet distributors, partners, or potential buyers

  • Market research or strategy development for international expansion

  • Translation, localisation, branding or packaging for export markets

  • Building international partnerships, licensing opportunities, or distribution channels

How We Help

Growology supports you with:

  • EMDG eligibility assessment — confirm your funding fit before applying

  • Export plan structuring — aligned to Austrade expectations and tier requirements

  • Funding pathway positioning — to ensure you're in the right EMDG tier for maximum leverage

  • Application preparation and guidance — including export narrative and documentation support

  • Strategic sequencing with other grants — RDTI, Go Global, Commercialisation pathways and more

When Is the Best Time to Apply for EMDG?

The Export Market Development Grant shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought or something to revisit once international activity is finished.

The businesses that benefit most from EMDG take a strategic, early approach because:

  • EMDG applications are assessed by funding tiers — and early planning helps you secure a spot in the right tier before funds are exhausted.

  • Expenses must align with your export strategy — preparing your export plan early ensures your spend is structured for maximum claimability.

  • Applying early strengthens your profile for additional export and trade grants, including Austrade support, Go Global, and state export grants.

  • Using EMDG strategically signals to assessors that your business is a serious export contender, building credibility and momentum for future funding rounds.

If you are already investing in international marketing, exploring overseas partnerships, or planning to expand globally, you are already in “EMDG territory.” The sooner you prepare, the more funding leverage you gain.