Export entry

The export entry grants are focused on helping City of Melbourne-based companies to enter and expand into new overseas markets. They support export-ready small businesses looking to enter the international market for the first time as well as experienced exporters to expand into new markets.

Open to: small business located in the City of Melbourne municipality.

Grants for: entering and expanding into overseas markets.

Grant value: up to $10,000.

Businesses are eligible to apply for a grant on a dollar-for-dollar basis of up to $10,000 for export initiatives. Businesses can apply under two sub-categories:

• New exporter where
  • export turnover is less than five per cent of total annual dollar turnover
  • there is an export strategy and demonstrated export readiness / capability
• Current exporter where
  • there is demonstrated export experience in one or more overseas market
  • the operator seeks to explore export opportunities in a new market or launch a new product in an existing market.

Up to three grants can be made to a business, with each grant occurring in three separate financial years. The approval of subsequent grants will be subject to the satisfactory completion of agreed performance measures of the previous grant.

What can I claim?

The export entry grant supports the following categories of export-related activities:

• the cost associated with engaging an overseas representative acting on the business’s behalf to market / promote its product / service
• the cost associated with engaging an overseas representative or consultant for business matching activities
• the cost of engaging a consultant to undertake targeted export market research
• the cost of economy airfares, on-ground travel and accommodation
• the cost of providing free samples to non-residents
• the cost of communications directly associated with the export project
• the production cost of internationally branded promotional materials (that is, brochures, video / CD / DVD presentation, advertising, translation)
• the cost of participating in an international trade fair, seminar and exhibition
• the cost of participating in a City of Melbourne business / trade mission
• the costs of modifying a product / service or its packaging in order to tailor it to the export requirements of an overseas market
• the costs associated with product / service protection including intellectual property rights, patents and trademarks.

Expenditure not directly related to export-related activities will not be considered.

Assessment criteria

Each application will be assessed against the Small Business Grants objectives and assessment criteria.

An assessment report is prepared for consideration by an external independent review panel (IRP). The IRP will consider the conforming applications on a competitive and merit basis, and make recommendations to a specific council committee for approval. 

Applications that offer the most valuable contribution to the achievement of the program objectives and those that are consistent with Council's strategies will be offered grants.

Preference will be given to businesses that:

• demonstrate 'export readiness' (that the proposed export product and service is well-researched, planned and financially viable)
• match any approved funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis
• export goods and services manufactured or produced in Australia
• demonstrate direct export outcomes
• demonstrate sustainable business practices
• have a level of existing business success, supported by financial documentation (for current exporters)
• preferably, are in one of the City of Melbourne's key target industry sectors and/or priority export markets.

The City of Melbourne’s key target industry sectors are:

• advanced manufacturing
• biotechnology
• finance and business services
• environment services
• creative industries
• higher education
• information and communication technologies
• hospitality
• retail.

The City of Melbourne’s priority international markets are Tianjin, Guangzhou, Mumbai, New Delhi, Milan, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco.  This list of cities will be reviewed annually.

On average, applicants will be notified of the assessment outcome three months from the closing date of application.  All decisions are final. There will be no review or appeal process. However, unsuccessful applicants are eligible to re-apply.

See previous export entry grant recipients.

Before you apply

Please ensure you have read the Small Business Grant guidelines before you apply:

• Small Business Grant guidelines (PDF, 2.2Mb)
• Small Business Grant guidelines (Text only, 76kb)  

How to apply

See Small Business Grants.