Fashion Exporting: New Changes to the ‘Export Market Development Grant’ (EMDG) Program

The EMDG program has been updated from Round 4 onwards to better meet the needs of exporters. The program aims to aid eligible Australian businesses in marketing, promotions, and training to boost their export efforts. It provides crucial support as businesses begin and grow their fashion exporting activities.

New changes mean bigger grants, but not every applicant will receive a grant. EMDG funding is limited. They expect to receive a large volume of applications.

Due to the program changes:

Some businesses and representative bodies who previously received EMDG grants will no longer be eligible.
Some applicants who are eligible and apply will not receive grants. This is because funds may be fully allocated before we receive their application or before we assess it. This could be the outcome even if they submitted before applications closed.

Your SME business may be eligible in one of these tiers:

Tier 1 – ready to export
Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets
Tier 3 – exporting to new key markets.

KEY CHANGES MADE

1. Larger Grant Amounts and Greater Clarity

Maximum grant amounts are now set for each tier and are disclosed in advance. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted, and rounds will close once the available funding is allocated. This ensures clarity for businesses and aligns with other Commonwealth grant programs.

2. Improved Eligibility Criteria for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s)

Updated to better align with successful exporters' profiles. Key requirements include:

Minimum Turnover: Specific annual business turnover required per grant tier.
Marketing Spend: Businesses must invest at least $20,000 of their own funds in marketing and promotional activities, excluding the grant amount.
Business Duration: Minimum of 2 years in business with the same ABN.
Tier 1 Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate readiness to export through approved training or testing.
Grant Duration: Businesses can receive EMDG grants for up to 8 financial years, with new limits.

3. Better Support for businesses

Potential to provide grants that target specific markets for different grant tiers.

Read More Here if you are interested in applying.

Deadline:

APPLY through the EMDG online portal. Starting from Round 4, applications will be assessed in the order they are received. While the updated program offers larger grants, please note that limited funding means not all applicants will receive support.

Tier 1 – ready to export, applications open AEDT 10am on 12 November

Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets, applications open AEDT 10am on 12 November

Tier 3 – exporting to new key markets, applications open AEDT 10am on 12 November.

The new AFC Strategy: Shaping the Future of Australian Fashion and Textiles

Dear Australian Fashion Community,

I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you. At the AFC, we’ve been hard at work crafting a new strategy—it’s one that directly addresses the challenges our industry is facing today, shaped by your voices, your concerns, and your passion.

Last month, we gathered with many of you in Sydney for our first-ever Member Forums to discuss the future of the Australian fashion industry. These sessions were a powerful reminder of what makes our industry so special: our willingness to come together, share openly, and work collaboratively towards common goals. The feedback from these forums played a crucial role in refining the AFC's new strategy, ensuring it is aligned with the needs of the industry.

Key challenges identified during the forums include the complexities of accessing export markets, the high costs associated with local manufacturing, and the urgent need to address skills gaps within the industry. Members also highlighted the importance of sustainability, expressing a desire for more circularity infrastructure and greater industry collaboration to drive meaningful change.

The AFC's Strategic Agenda

The Member forums helped us refine our mission for our members:
To champion and advocate for a prosperous, innovative and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry. Our purpose is to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem for our community through education, collaboration and innovation.

And the strategic priorities the AFC needs to deliver on this mission:

REPRESENTATION:
Cultivate a member community that represents the full breadth of the Australian fashion and textile industries and activate projects such as an industry-level strategy for First Nations Fashion and evolving the AFC Directory and Hub to better meet your needs and connect you with your peers.

ENGAGEMENT & ADVOCACY:
Create value for our members by fostering community and collaboration and advocating for their interests with all stakeholders. This means more member engagement events such as ongoing member forums, anAustralian Fashion Conference in 2025, government advocacy and Strategic Partner programs which deliver value to you.

IMPACT:
Support our members to be successful through initiatives that deliver positive commercial outcomes in four key impact areas:

- - Commerce & Trade:
    The AFC will focus on helping members navigate export markets and increasing global exposure for Australian fashion via key programs including:
    - Export program, the information and connections needed to succeed internationally
    - AFC Academy, addressing key learning needs in our industry
    - Mentoring program, supporting our industry in continuous learning and knowledge sharing
- - Local Manufacturing:
    Recognising the fragmented state of local manufacturing, the AFC plans to support the development of a full value-added supply chain in Australia, fill skills gaps and promote career pathways in local manufacturing via key programs including.
    - Local manufacturing studies, starting with Victorian on September 3
    - Leading development of an industry-wide strategy for Australian manufacturing
    - Piloting smart factory concepts to evidence advanced manufacturing concepts in our industry.
- - Jobs & Skills:
    The AFC will work to ensure graduates are better prepared to enter the workforce, career pathways are mapped and promoted, and existing staff have opportunities to build and further develop skills via key programs such as:
    - Industry-wide skills & capability mapping
    - Defining the next generation textile and clothing apprenticeship
    - A machinist strategy to tackle critical shortages
- Sustainability:
  The AFC is committed to continuing to support sustainable practices within the industry and through industry-wide collaboration will advance:
  - Impact quantification tools, responding the need for consistent frameworks for reporting and data collection
  - Responsible planning and ordering, to support better commercial and sustainability outcomes

The AFC’s approach underscores its commitment to supporting the fashion industry through advocacy, education, and strategic partnerships.

This isn’t just a plan on paper—it’s a commitment to action. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and work alongside you, secure funding to tackle the above programs, advocate for better industry support, create new educational pathways, and build the infrastructure we need for a more sustainable future. But we can’t do it alone. Our strength lies in our community, and we need your continued engagement and support to make this vision a reality.

If you’re not yet a member, now is the time to join the AFC. There’s an energy and momentum building in our industry that you won’t want to miss. As a member, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of Australian fashion, access exclusive resources, and connect with a network of passionate professionals who, like you, are dedicated to making a difference.

Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and build an Australian fashion industry that is not only resilient but also thriving. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.

Warm regards,

Jaana Quaintance-James
CEO, Australian Fashion Council

Discover Global Opportunities - Export & Trade Webinar for AFC Members

AFC members are invited to join our AFC Export & Trade: Insights & Experts Webinar, tailored specifically for fashion and textile businesses. Explore the critical issues and opportunities in the current market landscape with our panel of industry experts who will provide valuable insights and practical advice.

Date: Thursday, 8 August
Time: 1pm-2.30pm AEST
Platform: Online, via Zoom

What We'll Cover:

International Markets: Identifying the best opportunities and AFC member priority markets
Getting Export-Ready: What you need to prepare, from pricing to partners
Free Trade Agreements: Navigating FTAs and unpacking what they mean for fashion businesses
Exporting Business Support: Grants, programs, and financial strategies to support your export initiatives
Success Stories: Hear from successful brands that effectively expanded into international markets

This is a unique opportunity to gain expert knowledge and practical advice to understand global export opportunities. Whether you are a startup or an established brand, this webinar will provide valuable insights to help you navigate the export and trade landscape effectively.

AFC members look for your exclusive invitation in your email inbox.

Your Guide To The Tradex Scheme

Learn how the Tradex Scheme can transform your fashion and textile business. It offers significant savings on imports and enhances your export capabilities.

Take advantage of this government program to elevate your business in the global market.

What is the Tradex Scheme?

The Tradex Scheme, run by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, offers Australian importers who export goods an upfront exemption from Customs duty and GST. This boosts competitiveness by reducing the financial burden of import taxes, encouraging greater global market participation.

Who is it For?

It primarily targets importers who plan to export their goods into Australia. It is ideal for:

Importers of goods for processing, treatment, or incorporation into other products for export.
Importers of goods in their original state can export without any alterations.
Importers who can maintain detailed records tracking the movement of goods from import to export to comply with the Tradex Scheme Act 1999 and Tradex Scheme Regulations 2018.

How Can Fashion & Textile Businesses Leverage the Tradex Scheme?

Optimise Cash Flow & Reduce Costs:

Save on import duties and GST for raw materials, fabrics, and finished products intended for export.
Avoid tying up funds in import taxes, allowing for reinvestment in operations like manufacturing, product expansion, and marketing.
Lower import costs to price products more competitively in global markets.
Apply for an order anytime and add new goods easily, reducing administrative burden.
Use financial relief to explore new export opportunities and expand market reach.

Steps to Apply

1. Eligibility Check
  Ensure your goods qualify under the Tradex Scheme. Eligible goods must be imported and exported in their original state, after processing or treatment, or as part of other products.
2. Application Process
  - Read the information guide.
  - Download and complete the application form.
  - Submit the application to Tradex@industry.gov.au.
3. Record Keeping
  Use good record-keeping and accounting systems to track the movement of goods from import to export, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
4. Order Management
  Once you obtain an order, it remains valid indefinitely, allowing additional goods to be added without needing new applications for each shipment.

By leveraging the scheme, members can enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and expand their footprint in the international market, ultimately driving growth and success in the competitive global landscape.

For more information visit their website or to participate in the Tradex Scheme evaluation, contact tradex@industry.gov.au.