Exporting provides a significant net economic benefit to Australia and so is supported by various grants and assistance programs at all government levels. While there are also potential benefits to the business from exporting, there are also potential risks and costs in servicing a distant market. An export strategy should be prepared before tacking an overseas market. Once you have your strategy, the following incentives and assistance are available to facilitate your export success:
- Export Market Development Grant
Reimbursement of up to $150k based on 50% of eligible export marketing costs, claimable by the principle in the transaction for promoting Australian products, processes, services, know-how and trademarks. The first claim can include eligible expenses for the last 2 financial years. The scheme is underfunded at $150m and the maximum grant payable is more likely to be closer to $50k. www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-Grants - TradeStart
TradeStart is delivered in partnership with State, Territory and local governments, industry associations and chambers of commerce to assist SME exporters achieve long term success in international markets It is a partner support program (fee for service) to access experienced advisors to locate distributors or customers overseas, develop market entry strategy or work with an export advisor.
www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/How-Austrade-can-help/Trade-services/TradeStart - Landing Pads
Provides short term (90 day) access to some of the world’s most renown innovation and start-up ecosystems including Berlin, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore and Tel Aviv.
www.business.gov.au/assistance/landing-pads-program - Defence Global Competitiveness Grant
Provides matched grants of up to $150,000 to defence companies for capital equipment (including specialist software and security infrastructure), design and engineering, or workforce training and accreditations. www.business.gov.au/assistance/defence-global-competitiveness-grants - Duty Drawback Scheme
A refund for customs duty paid on imported goods that are subsequently exported can be claimed within 4 years of the date of export.
www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/exporting/duty-drawback-scheme - Tradex Scheme
Providing and upfront exemption for both customs duty and GST for goods intended to be re-exported resulting in cash flow benefits.
www.business.gov.au/Assistance/Tradex-Scheme
- Wine Export Grants
Grants of up to $25,000 are available to SME wine producers to capture export opportunities in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and the USA, by offering a reimbursement grant for specific export promotion activities incurred on a single promotional visit,
www.wineaustralia.com/au/whats-happening/export-and-regional-wine-support-package/grants - Women in Export Scholarship
Austrade provide a scholarship valued at over $20,000 for women to attend the Harvard Business School “Disruptive Innovation – Strategies for a Successful Enterprise” port for women achieving international business success.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QYcBaA5sTM&feature=youtu.be - Export Finance and Insurance Corporation
Providing finance and insurance solutions to assist Australian exporters overcome financial barriers when growing their business overseas.
www.efic.gov.au - Australian Trusted Trader
Australian Trusted Trader reduces red tape for Trusted Traders at the border, improves certainty in export markets, and expedites the flow of their cargo in and out of Australia, which means faster access to market.
www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/trustedtrader - Japan External Trade Organisation Services
Free support services are available to Australian companies interested in setting up in Japan.
www.jetro.go.jp/australia/service - Australian – India Council
Opening on 5 February 2019, grants of up to $150,000 will be available to advance Australia’s foreign and economic policy interests by building awareness and understanding between the peoples and institutions of Australia and India.
https://dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/foundations-councils-institutes/australia-india-council/Pages/australia-india-council.aspx - Export Accelerator
The NSW Government has prepared the Export Accelerator Toolkit to provide guidelines to enable businesses to systematically develop strategies around export opportunities.
www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/55999/NSWTI_Export_Accelerator_Toolkit.pdf - Globally Connected
The Victorian Government has also provided an export toolkit for potential exporters.
https://global.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/130314/Trade-Victoria-Statement-2017.pdf - Export Capability Building Program – NSW
Provides a series Introduction to exporting workshops aimed to increase your business’ export-readiness, export labs where in depth discussions are held on a key trade issue and country briefings which examine a significant overseas market.
www.industry.nsw.gov.au/export-from-nsw/export-assistance/export-capability-building-program
- Trade Missions and Exhibitions – NSW
Providing export-ready NSW companies with an effective way to identify new business opportunities and acquire the knowledge and connections critical to export success including a gateway for participants to connect with export opportunities as well as significant industry-specific markets visiting from overseas.
www.industry.nsw.gov.au/export-from-nsw/export-assistance/trade-missions-and-exhibitions - NSW Export Labs
The NSW Export Lab is an exciting program that brings NSW exporters together to examine export “under the microscope” and to drive export success. The NSW Export Lab is for export ready business operators who are open to new ideas and keen to energise and grow their international business.
- Access Program – Vic
This program aims to offer facilities, export-related assistance and in-country expertise to Victorian company representatives visiting overseas markets.
www.business.gov.au/assistance/access-program-vic - Trade Mission Program – Vic
The Victorian Government, through its Trade Mission Program, takes Victorian organisations to key overseas markets to showcase Victoria’s capabilities in key industries, and to introduce the participants to potential buyers, investors and trading partners.
http://trade.vic.gov.au/for-exporters/trade-missions/about-our-trade-missions - International Travel Business – Vic
Grants of up to $2000 are available from Film Victoria to eligible Victorian-based practitioners working across the games sector who are planning to attend the 2019 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.
https://www.film.vic.gov.au/funding/travel
- International Festivals Travel – Vic
Grants of up to $3,000 are available to producers, directors, writers or games developers for travel from Victoria to attend an approved international festival.
https://www.film.vic.gov.au/funding/travel - Export Skills Program – Vic
Provide online 101 training on specialist and topical themes essential for international trading success to ensure your business is export ready.
https://global.vic.gov.au/for-exporters/programs-and-initiatives/export-skills-program - City of Melbourne – Small Business Grants
Export Entry : Provides matching grants of up to $10,000 to Victorian CBD businesses in key target industry sectors to expand into new overseas markets
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/business/opportunities/grants-sponsorships/small-business-grants/Pages/small-business-grants.aspx - Consultation and Planning – Qld
Trade advisors meet and engage with business owners and key managers in their business place to discuss their export enquiries. Based on the needs of the business they can identify a range of options and solutions enabling the business to progress their export journey.
www.tiq.qld.gov.au/export/how-we-help-exporters/consultation-planning/ - Trade Missions – Qld
Each year, TIQ runs international trade missions to connect Queensland businesses with opportunities in overseas markets. Outbound trade missions take Queensland producers and products around the world. Inbound trade missions bring overseas buyers, distributors, investors and government representatives to Queensland.
https://www.tiq.qld.gov.au/export/how-we-help-exporters/trade-missions/ - Networking and Events – Qld
TIQ offer a range of networking opportunities, seminars, workshops and other export events throughout the year.
www.tiq.qld.gov.au/export/how-we-help-exporters/networking-and-events/ - Tourism and Events Queensland – Business Events
This program aims to secure international business events, which provide economic benefits to Queensland’s destinations and support the State Government’s Advancing Tourism 2016-20 plan to grow tourism and jobs.
https://teq.queensland.com/events/events-support/business-events - Tourism and Events Queensland – Major Events
This program aims to attract visitors to Queensland and support the State’s tourism industry.
https://teq.queensland.com/events/events-support/major-events - City of Gold Coast – Export Assistance Scheme
Grants of $1500 to $3000 are available to support SME export activities to registered Gold Coast based businesses also registered with Austrade. Turnover must exceed $250,000
www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/business/export-assistance-scheme-29193.html - Mackay Regional Council – Global Reach Program
This program seeks to assist Mackay businesses and industry to become export-ready and extend the global reach of their products or services. - http://www.mackay.qld.gov.au/business/invest_mackay/business_support/global_reach_program
- Export Accelerator – SA
Provides financial assistance for South Australian businesses that are looking to grow into international markets.
https://dtti.sa.gov.au/trade/sa-export-accelerator - Business Missions – SA
The South Australian Government will take delegates to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South East Asia, China, Europe, USA, North East Asia and India.
https://dtti.sa.gov.au/trade/business-missions
- Export Ready Program – SA
Assists South Australian businesses that are new to exporting; not yet exporting but seriously considering taking the next big step; or already exporting but looking to increase and optimise results.
https://business-sa.com/LiveMenu/How-We-Can-Help/Export-Ready-Program - Priority Sector Funding Program – WA
Funding of up to $30,000 (excl. GST) for out-bound and $20,000 (excl. GST) for in-bound projects are available to assist WA companies to engage with and develop international business capability with the Asian market in industry sectors considered a priority by the State.
www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/invest-in-wa/our-services/what-we-offer/priority-sector-funding-program - Small Business Development Corporation – WA
The site lists a range of grants and programs available to exporting businesses in Western Australia.
www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/business-advice/exporting-and-importing/exporting - New Market Expansion Program – Tas
Provides Tasmanian SMEs with a turnover between $300,000 and $20m with assistance in developing and implementing international marketing plans. The 2018/19 round closes 30 April 2019.
www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/business/trade/grants_and_funding/new_market_expansion_program - Advanced Manufacturing Marketing Program Expansion Program – Tas
Grants of up to $10,000 for reimbursement of 50% of approved expenses for the development of new off island markets are available to support advanced manufacturing enterprises to explore and seek new opportunities and markets, both interstate and internationally.
www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/business/sectors/advanced_manufacturing/advanced_manufacturing_market_expansion_program - Trade Support Scheme – NT
Companies and business entities may apply for 50% reimbursement against eligible international marketing costs of specific trade projects which will deliver identified trade outcomes.
https://nt.gov.au/industry/start-run-and-grow-a-business/business-grants-and-funding/trade-support-scheme
Information on the various export grants is useful, however it is critical that grant applications are successful. For assistance to successful claim export grants and secure assistance contact Pattens Group at grants@pattens.com or on 1800 GRANTS. Pattens were recently awarded Best Grants Consultant for the third consecutive year.
Written by Bruce Patten: With over 30 years’ experience securing government grants, Bruce is regarded as the grants expert. Both he and his team have a passion for helping businesses succeed. Pattens have a long list of successful clients who received the government funding needed for export, research, development, management, commercialisation, exportation, small business support… and the list goes on.
