Taking advantage of government support, subsidies and grants

Whether you’re thinking about expanding into Asia or elsewhere, there’s a wealth of Australian Government and state support, subsidies, and grants up for grabs. Take advantage of any grants, subsidies, support or assistance to help your business expand into overseas markets.

There are some risks associated with assistance, including potential conflicts of interest and accountability. But fortunately, government and state assistance can be beneficial should you decide to go down this path.

Export grants and subsidies

Gaining access to export grants and subsidies means your business can reach its expansion goals faster. The Government encourages Australian exporters in several ways. The following grants and schemes are designed to help Australian businesses export to Asia with the assistance of financial incentives.

Export Market Development Grants (EMDG)

Provided by the Australian Government, Export Market Development Grants, opens in new window offer financial assistance to small and mid-sized businesses looking to export their goods and services.

Grants for businesses are available in 3 tiers, with each providing a different level of support for SMEs as they grow their businesses. The tiers are:

1. ready to export
2. exporting and expanding
3. exporting, expanding and strategic shift

Businesses can apply for any grant tier at any time, depending on the needs of the business. Grant agreement terms are offered in each round, subject to the availability of funds, and the maximum allowable grant term for the relevant tier under the EMDG Rules.

Regional support

Each Australian State and Territory has their own grants and funding, customised for regional needs. You can access your agency below:

• New South Wales grants and funding, opens in new window
• Victoria grants and programs, opens in new window
• Western Australia business support, opens in new window
• Tasmania funding and support, opens in new window
• Queensland grant finder, opens in new window
• Northern Territory, opens in new window
• South Australia business and trade, opens in new window
• Australian Capital Territory business services, opens in new window

Trade missions

Contact your local industry support group who facilitate trade missions to export target countries.

Agricultural industry support

Each industry has their own incentives to grow. For example:

• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s grants and assistance, opens in new window for drought, finance, carbon future, awards and innovation grants.
• Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s national landcare program, opens in new window

Check with your industry group to find suitable sustainability and carbon neutral funding that will ensure you comply with regulations.

Austrade

Austrade offers several programs for exporters, including services designed specifically for Women in Export, opens in new window, an Australia-wide program that supports businesses led by women who plan on exporting.

Austrade also has an Australian supplier’s directory, which promotes Australian businesses, products, and services to overseas buyers. This free service makes it easy to list your business on Austrade’s Australian Suppliers Directory., opens in new window

Export Finance Australia

This agency is tasked with finding export finance solutions, opens in new window for businesses that are growing quickly due to international opportunities, building an e-commerce presence, export capacity through increased production, or supplying products or services to an export-related supply chain.

Networking and support

Your export business will be better prepared with access to the right support and networks. Contact your local chamber of commerce, industry association and regional partners to identify the help you need.

Rebates

Some schemes your export business can potentially use to access rebates include the following:

The Duty Drawback Scheme

The Duty Drawback Scheme, opens in new window is a customs procedure allowing exporters to receive a total or partial rebate on imported goods. They can be for other goods to be treated, processed, or incorporated in other goods for export.

For more information and to apply, visit the drawback page from the Australian Border Force, opens in new window.

GST exemption

Similar to the Duty Drawback Scheme, the Tradex Scheme, opens in new window covers imported goods that are intended for export within a year – though they need to be in the same condition as when they were originally imported. You’ll be exempt from GST and customs duty on these goods.

For example, if your business imported scarves from Nepal and sold them on to Papua New Guinea in the same condition, you may be eligible for the exemption. You must export the nominated goods within 12 months of entry into Australia unless you have obtained an extension. Goods must not be sold, consumed or used in Australia.

Next steps

• Have a look at the assistance Austrade can offer your export business, opens in new window.
• Contact your local export support agency to find out what you’re eligible for.
• For additional export help and customer success stories, visit our Business moments hub