Export Marketing and Development Grant (EMDG)

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)

About the Program

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program provides matched funding to eligible Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and representative bodies at different points in their export journey. The program is administered by Austrade.

Grants support marketing, promotional activities, and export training that help create, develop, expand and diversify access to foreign markets for Australian products and services.

Please note: EMDG Round 4 is currently closed to applications. Austrade will update their website when the next grant round opens. We recommend registering your interest with KP Retail so we can notify you when applications reopen.

How the Program Works

EMDG now operates as an upfront grant agreement — not a reimbursement scheme. Eligible exporters receive funding certainty before they begin their marketing and promotional activities.

The program supports businesses at three stages of their export journey, plus representative bodies:

• Tier 1 – Businesses ready to export (new to exporting)
• Tier 2 – Businesses already exporting within existing markets
• Tier 3 – Businesses exporting to new markets
• Representative Bodies – Organisations that support SME members to achieve export success

Grant Amounts (2025–26 & 2026–27)

Up to $104.5 million is available per financial year. Maximum grant amounts per tier, per financial year:

• Tier 1: $20,000 up to $30,000 per financial year
• Tier 2: $20,000 up to $50,000 per financial year
• Tier 3: $20,000 up to $80,000 per financial year
• Representative Bodies: Up to $50,000 per financial year

Are You Eligible?

To be eligible for EMDG, your business must be an Australian SME or representative body. Eligibility requirements include:

• Be an Australian-based business with an ABN
• Annual income of no more than $20 million (for SMEs)
• Carry on an export business in Australia
• Export or promote eligible goods, services, intellectual property, or know-how
• Meet the relevant tier criteria based on your current export status

Eligible Activities

EMDG supports a wide range of marketing and promotional activities including:

• Overseas representation and market visits
• Trade show participation and exhibition costs
• Free samples provided to overseas buyers
• Promotional and marketing materials (digital and physical)
• IP registration in overseas markets
• Export training activities

How KP Retail Can Help

KP Retail can assist you in assessing your eligibility, identifying the right tier, and preparing a strong application for when the next EMDG round opens. Get in touch with our team today to start planning your export strategy.