In a bold move to tackle long-standing challenges, the Australian Government has begun its ‘refocus’ of the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) program, a scheme that has evolved significantly since its inception.
Amidst the backdrop of a recent $61 million budget cut over the next four years, and a review of the scheme in 2022, Austrade is spearheading a strategic overhaul with eligibility reforms and payment caps to balance demand with a tightened budget.
As a first step, Austrade recently announced a halt to new applications for the EMDG program for the 2025 financial year (i.e. for the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025), citing budgetary limitations.
The EMDG program has been a staple for Australian exporters for many years and despite the current halt for the 2025 financial year, it’s important to note that businesses with pre-existing grant agreements for this period will not be affected and will still receive funding.
Austrade anticipates that the application process for the 2026 financial year (i.e. for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026) will resume in late 2024 or early 2025.
If you have any questions about the EMDG or any other government grants, we invite you to get in touch with our experienced grants team.
