The Federal Government’s Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) program is designed to encourage Australian businesses to export, so if your business is looking to export, or already exporting your product, service or intellectual property overseas, this grant program is for you. The program refunds 50% of your overseas marketing costs, over and above the first $5,000 spent. Your business is able to receive a grant of up to $150,000.
OVERSEAS MARKETING TRIPS: For any trip outside of Australia, you can claim flight costs and a daily allowance, as long as some or all of the trip was for overseas marketing purposes.
OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVE: If you pay a sales agent who is based overseas, and pay them a salary, this salary and various expenses (up to $200,000) are able to be claimed through the program.
MARKETING CONSULTANT: You are able to claim the costs of a marketing consultant, Australian based or otherwise, through the EMDG program. Up to $50,000 of expenses are claimable.
FREE SAMPLES: If you provide free samples as part of your marketing campaigns overseas, you are able to claim the manufacturing (not retail) and freight costs.
TRADE FAIRS: If you have travelled, or paid for attendance or a booth at an overseas trade fair, all associated costs are able to be claimed through the EMDG program.
ADVERTISING: Any advertising expenses relating to overseas marketing can be claimed. This includes traditional advertising such as brochures and translation services, but also items such as paying instagram influencers and website costs.
IP EXPENSES: To be able to sell or licence overseas, IP rich businesses need to pay to protect their IP in overseas jurisdictions. The cost of making an overseas patent or trademark application, as well as attorney fees are able to be claimed. Expenses are capped at $50,000 per grant application.
OVERSEAS BUYERS: If you bring a potential overseas buyer or buyers to Australia, you can claim a number of expenses in relation to their trip. Caps do exist on what you can claim per buyer.
To be eligible for an Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) you need to: