Free HR Services from our Employee Relations Experts. Find out more.

Our Business Services

Chamber of Commerce & Industry WA

With over 130 years of experience representing WA businesses, we’re ready to help with the resources and advice you need to succeed.

Employee Relations Helpline

Employee Relations Helpline

Get timely, reliable and practical employee relations advice on employment laws, the awards system and other human resource matters. CCIWA Members get unlimited access.

Business Law WA - Legal Services

Legal Services at BLWA

Through our incorporated legal practice, Business Law WA, our team of experienced, client-focused business lawyers offer a full range of Commercial Law & Employment Law services for all your essential legal needs.

Accounting & Taxation Services

Optima Partners and CCIWA

Innovative and personalised accounting, taxation and business advisory services that focus on delivering the best results to help your business grow.

Workplace Health & Safety Services

Workplace Health & Safety Services

Unlock the potential of your business with our suite of staff training and development programs, crafted by workplace relations experts and tailored to your business needs.

Construction & Mining IR Services

Construction & Mining IR Services

We offer extensive, independent and practical industrial and labour relations support to the engineering, construction and mining industries.

Workplace Training & Development

Workplace Training & Development

Unlock the potential of your business with our suite of staff training and development programs, crafted by workplace relations experts and tailored to your business needs.

Apprenticeship Support Australia WA

Apprenticeship Support Australia WA

Our dedicated team specialises in assisting employers maximise the benefits of investing in apprenticeships and traineeships to build local skills for the diverse WA workforce. Our team of experts will provide all the advice, support and services you need — free of charge.

Work Integrated Learning – Internships

Work Integrated Learning - Internships

Tap into WA’s future workforce with our Work Integrated Learning – Internships program. This free service facilitates university student work experience placements for your business.

Industry Capability Network WA

Industry Capability Network WA

Connecting your business with mining, construction, infrastructure, defence and other major projects using the ICN Gateway.

International Trade Services

International Trade Services

Take your business global using our comprehensive suite of international trade services to streamline importing and exporting, reduce risks and identify international partners.

You have one free articles for this month. Sign up for a CCIWA Membership for unlimited access.

Gov grants to help SME businesses grow exports

By CCIWA Editor 

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) may be eligible for Federal Government funding to help grow their exports in international markets.

The third round of the Export Market Development Grants program (EMDG), run by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), is designed to encourage SMEs to market and promote their goods and services globally. The aim is to increase export promotion for eligible products in foreign markets by grant recipients.

Applications open on Wednesday 15 March at 6am (WST) and run for four weeks, closing on Friday 14 April 2023 at 1pm (WST).

The program is eligibility-based, so all applicants who are eligible will be awarded a grant agreement. Grants are not based on maximum tier caps.

EMDG has been running since 1974 and assisted more than 51,000 businesses in marketing their products and services for export. Most recipients have received multiple grants across the years for up to eight years.

The updated EMDG Grant Guidelines and supporting documents are now available so that applicants can prepare to apply ahead of the EMDG online portal opening to applications. Information on the application process can be found here.

Changes made since round two of grants

This is the third round of EMDG and grant agreements in this round will be for one year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds.

Since the previous round of grants, Austrade has updated the definition of strategic shift for Tier 3 grantees, as their plan to market must show how they are expanding their export promotion activity and making a strategic shift in marketing eligible products in a foreign country. This change was based on feedback received during the EMDG Operational Review that the definition needed to be clearer and to focus on market diversification.

Austrade requires that businesses meet its taxation obligations, meaning they comply with all the relevant Australian Taxation Office (ATO) legislation, rulings and guidelines. During the assessment process, businesses may be asked by to provide a Statement of Tax Record from the ATO. This will help Austrade to check compliance prior to issuing grant agreements and ensure grants funds go to exporting not paying tax debts.

NOTE: Exporters cannot apply in round three of the program if they have an executed grant agreement and there is more than one year remaining in the term of their grant agreement. For more information visit Eligibility or contact Austrade at [email protected].

Let our expert International Trade team help your business go global. Call us on (08) 9365 7620 or fill in this contact form and we’ll contact you for a free consultation.

The Federal Government is offering grants for small to medium businesses looking to increase their exports.