The Australian Trade and Investment Commission is calling for stakeholder submissions regarding the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program, after the Export Consultant Association Incorporated (ECAI) raised concerns over updated rules in 2024.
The EMDG program is a key initiative supporting Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their representative bodies to expand into international markets. Since 1974 it has supported over 51,000 Australian businesses to promote and market their products and services to over 180 countries world-wide.
The last five years has been a period of significant change for EMDG. Following the 2020 independent review , EMDG underwent a major reform from a reimbursement scheme to a grants program. Since the 2020 independent review there have been four rounds of the program.
In March 2024, the program was updated to increase grant sizes so that eligible Australian businesses can access more money to support export market activities. Since the most recent grant round opened in November 2024, the government stated it has delivered over $74 million in grant agreements to over 700 Australian exporters.
However, the ECAI, which claims it advises and assists approximately 50 per cent of the businesses that apply for the EMDG, said prior to the latest round that the proposed amendments would adversely impact at least 80 per cent of current and prospective EMDG applicants.
Independent review
On 17 March 2025, trade and tourism minister, Don Farrell, appointed former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade associate secretary, Timothy Yeend, to lead the next legislatively required independent review of the EMDG program.
This consultation round aims to gather insights from businesses and industry representatives on their experiences with the EMDG program over the last 5 years, and invites broader views from key stakeholders with an interest in trade, export or the EMDG program.
Yeend will review the quality of current program processes and delivery, with a focus on applicants' experience engaging with Round 4 of the program.
A Consultation Paper is available to provide further background and suggested questions to guide feedback, with four key areas outlined;
- Quality of current program processes and delivery with a focus on applicants’ experience
- Role and value of representative bodies activities' in achieving export outcomes
- Whole-of-Australian-Government support to SMEs
- Any other matters that may support the effective operation of the EMDG program
“Australian exporters create jobs, offer higher wages, and increase government revenues, which fund essential services,” said Yeend.
“In 2024, our two-way trade accounted for approximately 45 percent of our GDP. Australian goods exporters alone employ over 5 million people, which translate into 3.6 million full-time equivalent workers.
“Generating export opportunities and supporting businesses to navigate uncertain times in global trade is a key priority. There are opportunities to ensure that EMDG remains a cornerstone to help small and medium sized Australian businesses succeed in export markets,” he said.
Submissions can be made by email to emdgreview@austrade.gov.au or via the online submission form.
Yeend will host in-person sessions, following the consideration of the submission and survey responses, anticipated to be held in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney – with the possibility of online consultations for stakeholders in other locations. Consultations for the review will end 12 September 2025.
