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EMDG Consultants for Australian Exporters
Avant Group is a specialist EMDG consultancy. Our EMDG consultants manage your Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) from start to finish: we confirm your eligibility and tier, build your export marketing plan and budget, prepare and lodge your application, manage milestone reporting and annual claims, and handle any Austrade audit. You focus on winning overseas customers. We make sure the grant is claimed correctly and in full.
Our EMDG service is led by Managing Director Kate Whitehead, who has 24 years’ experience with the programme and chairs the Export Chamber of Australia Incorporated (ECAI), the peak body for EMDG applicants and consultants. Since 2015 we have lodged 1,600 EMDG claims and secured $54 million for Australian exporters, and we work on success-only fees.
Book a free EMDG eligibility check
Or call an EMDG consultant on (03) 8567 7500 · Registered Tax Agent
“We engaged Avant Group to assist with our Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) strategy, and the experience has been nothing short of exceptional. From the first consultation, the team was knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping us navigate the complexities of international marketing eligibility.”
Sinan Dumanli, Google review · Rated Excellent from 38 Google reviews
What our EMDG consultants handle for you
When you engage Avant Group, one team owns your EMDG from the first eligibility check to the final payment. Our EMDG consulting service covers:
- An eligibility and tier assessment, so you apply in the tier that fits your business and turnover.
- Your export marketing plan and budget, prepared with you in an onboarding workshop.
- Preparation and lodgement of your application, on your behalf, as your grant agent.
- Direct access to your account manager all year, so you can check whether a cost qualifies before you commit to it.
- Expense tracking and evidence checks from 1 July each financial year.
- Milestone reporting and annual claims for the life of your grant agreement.
- Variation requests if your target markets or plans change.
- Internal review requests if Austrade finds your application ineligible.
- Austrade audit management, included at no extra cost.
You get a dedicated account manager, backed by in-house accountants and Kate Whitehead’s 24 years of programme experience.
How our EMDG service works
Our EMDG consultants work with you through five stages, timed to the programme’s rounds and financial years.
Free eligibility check
A short call with an EMDG consultant to confirm whether you qualify, which tier fits your business and roughly what you could claim. There is no cost and no obligation.
Onboarding and planning: before the round opens
We run an onboarding workshop to map your target markets and planned export marketing activities, then prepare your budget and the documentation Austrade requires. An accurate, compliant application is what secures a grant agreement.
Application and lodgement: when the round opens
Some tiers fill within hours. In Round 4, Tier 2 opened at 10 am and closed at 1:30 pm the same day. Your application is ready before the window opens, and we lodge it on your behalf as your grant agent.
Year-round support and milestone reporting: from 1 July
From 1 July each financial year we track your export marketing spend and check your evidence as you go. Ask us whether a cost qualifies before you commit to it. We manage milestone reporting and any variation requests for the life of your grant agreement.
Annual claim, audit and payment: after 30 June
After each financial year ends, we prepare and lodge your annual claim, respond to Austrade’s questions and manage any audit on your behalf. Once your claim is assessed, your grant for that year is paid.
EMDG consultant fees
Avant Group works on success-only fees: you pay our fee only when your grant is paid.
Your fee covers eligibility advice, your application, milestone reporting, annual claims and audit support. There is no separate charge if Austrade audits your claim. We confirm your fee in writing before you engage us, so there are no surprises.
Get a fee quote with your free eligibility check
Do EMDG consultants make a difference? What Austrade’s Round 4 data shows
Austrade’s published Round 4 statistics compare applications lodged by businesses themselves with those lodged by grant agents such as EMDG consultants. Of 2,693 applications, 1,680 (62%) were lodged by 187 grant agents.
| Self-lodged | Agent-lodged | |
|---|---|---|
| Applications lodged | 1,013 | 1,680 |
| Found ineligible at first assessment | 549 (54.2%) | 581 (34.6%) |
| Ineligible applicants who requested an internal review | 301 (54.8%) | 512 (88.1%) |
| Reviews resulting in an eligible outcome | 263 (87.4%) | 458 (89.5%) |
| Final eligible rate | 71.8% | 92.7% |
Source: Austrade, Round 4 key statistics. Final eligible rate is applicants eligible at first assessment or after internal review, as a share of applications lodged.
Agent-lodged applications were found ineligible far less often at first assessment (34.6%, compared with 54.2% of self-lodged applications). When they were found ineligible, agent-lodged applicants were also far more likely to request an internal review (88.1%, compared with 54.8%). Nearly nine in 10 reviews succeeded, so many self-lodged applicants who did not ask for one may well have been eligible.
Taken together, 92.7% of agent-lodged applications were ultimately found eligible, compared with 71.8% of self-lodged applications. Only two of the 187 grant agents lodged 100 or more applications in Round 4, and Avant Group was one of them (Austrade, Round 4 key statistics). That volume means we know how Austrade assesses applications and when a review is worth pursuing.
EMDG evidence checklist: what we collect for your claim
Every EMDG claim we lodge is built to stand up to an audit. These are the records we typically collect for each type of export marketing expense.
| Expense type | Evidence we typically collect |
|---|---|
| All expenses | Tax invoices, proof of payment such as bank statements or remittances, and a clear link between each cost and an overseas market. |
| Overseas marketing visits | Itineraries, boarding passes or e-tickets, accommodation receipts, and a meeting diary showing who you met and why. |
| Trade shows and promotional events | Exhibitor contracts, stand and freight invoices, photos of your stand, and a record of leads or meetings. |
| Overseas representatives | Representative agreements, invoices and activity reports showing promotion of your products in the target market. |
| Advertising and promotional material | Copies of the advertisements or materials, and evidence the campaign targeted overseas audiences, such as ad platform location settings. |
| Free samples | Dispatch and freight records, recipient details and the purpose of each sample. |
Why choose Avant Group as your EMDG consultant
We offer
Success-only fees, confirmed in writing before you engage us
A dedicated 1:1 account manager to guide you every step of the way
Audit support included at no extra cost
Monitoring of EMDG legislative changes, including the 2025 independent review, so your application stays eligible and compliant
Avant Group is
Highly experienced
We have lodged 1,600 EMDG claims since 2015, worth $54 million to Australian exporters, and were one of only two of 187 grant agents to lodge 100 or more applications in Round 4.
Industry leaders
Our Managing Director chairs the Export Chamber of Australia Incorporated (ECAI), the peak body for EMDG applicants and consultants.
Technically skilled
Our team includes in-house accountants and people with professional experience and qualifications in marketing, law, STEM, engineering and defence.
Highly rated
Rated Excellent on Google from 38 client reviews.
An SME
We are an SME like you, so we understand the challenges and needs of Australian small and medium enterprises.
Meet our EMDG consultants
Kate Whitehead
Kate Whitehead is Founder and Managing Director of Avant Group and leads the firm’s EMDG service, with 24 years’ experience with the Export Market Development Grant. She is Chair of the Export Chamber of Australia Incorporated (ECAI), the peak industry body for EMDG applicants and consultants, Vice President of the Fight Cancer Foundation, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
She holds a Masters in Marketing and a Post Graduate Diploma of Business Management from Melbourne Business School, with postgraduate qualifications in Taxation and Law, and is a Registered Tax Agent.
Idris Cesur
Idris Cesur is a Senior Accountant at Avant Group, working across financial management, reporting and compliance, including EMDG claims. He brings a strong background in corporate accounting and is an Associate Member of CPA Australia.
He holds a Master of Professional Accounting (Advanced) from Torrens University Australia and a Master of Business Administration from Beykent University.
Hugh Menting
Hugh Menting is a Key Account Executive at Avant Group, managing major client relationships, including EMDG clients. He brings expertise in key account management, business development and client relationships, and works closely with clients to deliver tailored solutions.
He holds a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and postgraduate studies in Nuclear Medicine from La Trobe University, and a Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking from Kaplan.
Mariana James
Mariana James is a Grants Associate at Avant Group, preparing applications across government grants, funding strategy and commercialisation. Her qualifications span psychology, marketing, project management and finance, and she combines analytical skills with clear communication to prepare high-quality applications across diverse industries.
She holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science from Deakin University and a Graduate Certificate in Marketing from RMIT University.
The EMDG at a glance
The essentials of the programme. For full detail, see Austrade’s EMDG guidelines.
What is the Export Market Development Grant?
The EMDG is an Australian Government grant, administered by Austrade, that reimburses up to 50% of eligible export marketing and promotion costs. Businesses can receive up to $770,000 over eight financial years on a matched funding basis.
Who is eligible?
Australian manufacturers and service providers that are exporting, or ready to export. Your business must hold an ABN and have operated under it for at least two years, have annual turnover under $20 million, and meet the minimum turnover threshold for your tier. Sole traders, trusts, companies and representative bodies can apply.
EMDG funding tiers
| Tier | For businesses that are | Average planned spend a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Ready to export | $57,821 |
| Tier 2 | Exporting within existing markets | $97,576 |
| Tier 3 | Exporting to new key markets | $148,148 |
| Representative bodies | Supporting their members to export | $95,403 |
Source: Austrade, Round 4 key statistics. Grant caps for each tier are set in the guidelines for each round.
What expenditure can you claim?
Typical categories include overseas marketing visits, trade shows and promotional events, overseas representatives, promotional material and advertising aimed at overseas markets, and free samples. What qualifies depends on the guidelines for your round, so our consultants confirm eligibility before you spend.
When can you apply?
Applications open in rounds and some tiers close within hours. Austrade has not yet announced the timing of Round 5. Speak with us now so your plan, budget and documentation are ready when it opens.
How claims and payments work
The EMDG is paid as a reimbursement. You track eligible spend from 1 July, lodge an annual claim and milestone reporting after the financial year ends, and the grant is paid once the claim is assessed.
EMDG audits
90% of EMDG claims are reviewed by Austrade and one in 10 is fully audited (Source: Australian National Audit Office). Failing an audit can mean repaying funding and losing future grant agreements. Audit support is included in our service at no extra cost.
EMDG consultant FAQs
What does an EMDG consultant do?
An EMDG consultant, also called a grant agent, manages your Export Market Development Grant on your behalf. That typically includes confirming eligibility and tier, preparing your export marketing plan and budget, lodging your application, tracking eligible expenditure, preparing milestone reports and annual claims, requesting internal reviews and managing Austrade audits. At Avant Group, all of this is covered by one success-only fee.
How do I choose an EMDG consultant?
Ask how many years the lead consultant has worked with the EMDG, how many claims the firm lodges each year, whether audit support is included in the fee, whether the fee is confirmed in writing, and who will manage your account day to day. Membership of the Export Chamber of Australia Incorporated (ECAI), the peak body for EMDG applicants and consultants, is another useful check. Avant Group’s EMDG service is led by ECAI Chair Kate Whitehead, who has 24 years’ experience with the programme.
What do I need to provide to my EMDG consultant?
Your ABN and business details, recent financial statements, and your planned export markets and marketing activities. For each claim, we also need invoices and proof of payment for every expense, with supporting evidence such as itineraries, trade show contracts and copies of advertising. See our EMDG evidence checklist above.
How long does the EMDG process take?
Planning should start before a round opens, because some tiers close within hours. After that, the grant runs on financial years: you incur eligible spend from 1 July, we lodge your claim after 30 June, and the grant is paid once Austrade assesses it. Ask us about current assessment timeframes when you book your eligibility check.
What does EMDG stand for?
EMDG stands for Export Market Development Grant. It is an Australian Government grant, administered by Austrade, that reimburses up to 50% of eligible export marketing and promotion costs for Australian businesses that are exporting or ready to export.
Why should I engage an EMDG consultant?
In Round 4 of the EMDG, 62% of the 2,693 applications were lodged by grant agents such as EMDG consultants (Source: Austrade, Round 4 key statistics).
The main reasons businesses engage a consultant are to confirm eligibility, claim all eligible expenditure, keep documented evidence ready for an audit, manage milestone reporting and variation requests, and lodge applications on time.
Although the EMDG is an entitlement program, it has a set annual budget, and Austrade closes the application window when it expects funding to be fully allocated. In Round 4, Tier 2 applications opened at 10 am and closed at 1:30 pm on the same day (Source: Austrade, Round 4 key statistics).
An EMDG consultant lodges your application on your behalf and takes care of milestone reporting, taking away the pressure of applying yourself.
Can I self-submit my EMDG claim?
Yes. However, the EMDG is subject to strict legislative requirements and is highly audited. If your claim is audited and found to be incorrect, or you do not have sufficient evidence to support it, you may be required to repay grant funding and have future funding terminated.
An EMDG consultant keeps you across legislative changes and what they mean for your claim, makes sure you are claiming correctly and supports you through an audit.
Am I eligible for the EMDG grant, and am I maximising what I can claim?
The EMDG is open to Australian manufacturers and service providers that are exporting, or planning to export, their products and services into international markets. Businesses with an ABN, including sole traders, trusts, companies and representative bodies, can apply.
Your business must have operated under the same ABN for at least two years, have annual turnover under $20 million, and meet the minimum turnover threshold for the tier you apply for.
Avant Group offers obligation-free EMDG eligibility checks and can advise on your eligibility, which tier you fall into and which expenses you can claim.
Do I need to be exporting already to apply for the EMDG?
No. Tier 1 is for businesses that are ready to export but have not yet established export markets. Tier 2 supports businesses exporting within existing markets, and Tier 3 supports businesses expanding into new key markets.
What expenses are eligible for the EMDG?
The EMDG reimburses up to 50% of eligible expenditure on promoting your products or services to overseas buyers. Typical categories include overseas marketing visits, trade shows and promotional events, overseas representatives, promotional material and advertising aimed at overseas markets, and free samples.
Eligibility depends on the current grant guidelines and how each expense relates to your export marketing. An EMDG consultant can confirm which of your expenses qualify before you spend.
How much is the EMDG grant?
The amount depends on your annual turnover, your tier and your eligible expenditure. The grant reimburses up to 50% of eligible expenditure, and the maximum a business can receive is $770,000 over eight financial years.
How and when is the EMDG paid?
The EMDG is paid as a reimbursement. After the end of each financial year, you lodge an annual claim for the eligible expenditure you incurred, together with the required milestone reporting. Once the claim is assessed, the grant is paid for that financial year.
When does the next EMDG round open?
Austrade has not yet announced the timing of Round 5. Round 4 opened in November 2024, and some tiers closed within hours. Speak with us now so your application is ready when the next round opens.
What happens if my EMDG application is found ineligible?
You can request an internal review of the decision. In Round 4, 721 of the 813 internal reviews lodged (88.7%) resulted in the applicant being found eligible (Source: Austrade, Round 4 key statistics). Many first decisions are overturned once further information or clarification is provided.
Am I likely to have my EMDG claim audited by Austrade?
Yes. 90% of EMDG claims are reviewed by Austrade and one in 10 is fully audited, meaning an in-depth compliance review such as a site visit or comprehensive desk audit (Source: Australian National Audit Office).
Failing an audit can mean repaying ineligible funding and having upcoming grant agreements terminated.
Avant Group reduces this risk by advising on eligible expenditure and making sure every claim has documented evidence. Audit support is included at no extra charge.
How much do EMDG consultants charge?
Fees vary between firms. Many EMDG consultants charge a percentage of the grant with a minimum fee. Avant Group works on success-only fees, so you pay our fee only when your grant is paid. Audit support is included, and we confirm your fee in writing before you engage us.
Is the EMDG grant taxable income?
Yes. Grants are generally treated as taxable income, while the corresponding export marketing expense is generally tax deductible. Confirm the treatment for your business with your tax adviser.
What are the changes to the EMDG?
EMDG legislation can change, including eligibility criteria, eligible expenditure and the application process. The program is independently reviewed every five years. The latest independent review occurred in 2025, and its recommendations were released on 2 July 2026.
The recommendations most likely to affect applicants, if implemented, include:
- Replacing the first-in, best-dressed model with a merit-based application process
- Replacing the three tiers with two: one for export-ready businesses and one for established or growing exporters
- Returning to annual application rounds and annual grant agreements
- Reviewing international air travel caps and per diem rates
The Export Chamber of Australia Incorporated (ECAI), the peak industry body for EMDG applicants and consultants, has published its position on the review’s 29 recommendations. Read the ECAI statement.
Talk to an EMDG consultant
Whether you are preparing for the next round or want to understand how the EMDG review may affect you, our EMDG consultants can help. Book a free eligibility check, email [email protected] or phone our head office on (03) 8567 7500.
Book a free EMDG eligibility check
This page is general information only and does not constitute tax, financial or legal advice. Grant program details and funding amounts change; confirm current guidelines with Austrade.
