Frequently Asked Questions

To provide financial support to South Australian businesses exporting internationally that are experiencing trade disruptions in response to increased importer/ exporter costs and disrupted trade supply.

This program provides targeted support for market diversification, supply chain resilence and specialist advisory services, not general marketing costs. There is also no requirement for matched funding.

Yes. The program is designed to support South Australian exporters who are directly and significantly affected by U.S. tariffs and other international trade disruptions.

Applicants will be required to provide evidence to confirm they have been impacted.

Yes. Both goods producers and services exporters are eligible.

Market Accelerator Grants support medium-sized exporters that require a structured and high-level Action Plan, multiple activities, and implementation support.

Export Advisory Grants provide smaller exporters with targeted advisory support such as market research, tariff advice, or compliance guidance via a simplified Action Plan.

Stream 1: up to $50,000 under the Market Accelerator Grant.

Stream 2: up to $5,000 under the Export Advisory Grant.

The amount of funding a business can apply for is dependent on the Grant stream to which they are eligible and invited to apply for. This will be based on the financial statements submitted in the expression of interest.

No. The program does not require a financial co-contribution.

Eligible activities include but not limited to:

• Market research and new market entry strategies
• Tariff, regulatory, compliance and certification advice
• Supply chain restructuring
• Advisory services to mitigate disruption
• Cultural or legal advice for new markets
• Participation fees for international trade shows (but not travel)

A full list of eligible expenditure/ activities is listed in the Program Guidelines.

Ineligible activities include but not limited to:

• International or domestic travel (flights, accommodation, meals)
• Staff wages or internal labour
• Capital expenditure
• Costs incurred before the Grant Agreement is signed
• Services delivered by related parties
• Routine or existing export activities
• Activities funded by other government programs (e.g. EMDG)

A full list of ineligible expenditure/ activities is listed in the Program Guidelines.

The program may support exhibition or participation fees only and the activity should be included in the Application Action Plan. However, travel, accommodation, meals, and transport are not eligible.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a South Australian business with an active ABN
• Be GST registered
• Have at least 24 months of sales revenue
• Export goods or services produced primarily in South Australia
• Demonstrate a direct and significant impact from a trade disruption
• Meet all requirements outlined in the Guidelines.

The business can demonstrate a material and measurable effect on export operations, such as:

• Loss of competitiveness or market share
• Cancelled or delayed export orders
• Disrupted supply chains or increased compliance costs
• Financial pressure affecting jobs or investment.

Some ways you can demonstrate that your business has been impacted include:

• Pricing comparisons - for example, your in-market product pricing before and after the disruptions
• Outlining any new tariffs on your goods or services
• Correspondence from customers or distributors
• Order cancellations or documents demonstrating reduced volumes
• Financial statements showing reduced profitability or margins
• Increased input cost in your process because of supply chain disruption due to impact of tariff.

An identified market is the international region that existing exporting activity occurs, and the trade disruption is applicable.

Yes. However, the program will only focus on the individual market where the disruption is occurring and evidence of impact has been identified.

You must submit financial statements for:

• FY2023–24, and
• FY2024–25

Statements must be prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and include a Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Statement. They must demonstrate business turnover and generational of sales revenue for the minimum 24 months.

Copies copy of lodged business activity statements (BAS) downloaded from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) portal for the relevant periods are acceptable. Management accounts for the most recent financial year may also be accepted.

Financial evidence:

• Audited Financial Statements prepared by an accountant for FY 2023-24 and FY2024-25 OR copies of lodged BAS statements for the relevant periods
• Breakdown of domestic vs export turnover and sales revenue or a letter or other suitable confirmation from a registered accountant confirming the proportion of export revenue if not shown in statements.

Evidence of trade disruption:

• Cost increase related to tariffs or trade measures
• Loss of competitiveness
• Supply chain disruptions (documentation, freight delays, logistics, challenges etc)
• Customer communication/ correspondence.

Trade Grants Team can be contacted via email at dsd.trade@sa.gov.au

Yes. You can request a discussion with a Case Manager or TradeStart Adviser by emailing dsd.trade@sa.gov.au