Frequently asked questions

Yes, as long as you can demonstrate that you are an established South Australian company (operating for at least 24 months or more) and are export-ready. The Program, however, targets high-growth and innovative companies.

When a business is prepared to enter international markets and sell its products or services to foreign buyers. A business is considered export-ready when it has the resources, capabilities and understanding of the target markets to successfully navigate trade challenges.

Startups are eligible to apply for the Global Expansion Program should they meet all Eligibility Criteria outlined in Section 2 of the Global Expansion Program Guidelines.

Yes, as long as the business review to be undertaken as part of the Program identifies that it is one of the significant export barriers that you are currently facing and that addressing the issue will have a relatively significant impact in terms of accelerating your export growth.

Applicants are required to submit financial statements for the most recent two full financial years as listed in the application form.

Financial statements must include:

• a balance sheet
• an income statement/profit and loss statement
• notes to the accounts, where available.

Financial statements should be independently prepared and signed by a qualified accountant. Audited financial statements should be provided where available.

If finalised statements for the most recent financial year are not yet available, draft financial statements or management accounts, including a balance sheet and income statement, must be provided.

DSD and the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) may request additional financial information as part of the assessment process.

Where an applicant's ABN is not registered in South Australia, DSD may consider whether the business has significant operations in South Australia. This means demonstrating a genuine, active and substantial business presence in the State that provides economic benefit to South Australia.

A registered or mailing address alone will generally not be sufficient.

You must have an ABN with evidence that your company has been established in South Australia, generating revenue for at least 24 months to date.

You are eligible to apply if you have not received GEP funding in the last three years or have any outstanding grant commitments with DSD.

Yes, you must provide an ABN to be eligible and participate in the Program.

Yes, DSD will request clarifying information from an applicant if required to undertake assessments, however DSD will not contact applicants if an application is incomplete or requested documentation has not been submitted.

No, your application must be submitted in English.

No, your application must be submitted online via DSD portal. Any material received by post will not be assessed and will be returned to the sender. If you think you will have difficulty submitting your application online, contact DSD.GEP@sa.gov.au

No, all budgets must be GST exclusive.

Applicants must be registered for GST to receive this grant funding. You do not have to pay GST on the funding payment unless you make a supply in return for the payment, therefore the GST component of incurred expenses for eligible services can be claimed under the Program when reporting your expenditure.

Applications are first reviewed by DSD to confirm eligibility.

Eligible applications are then assessed by an Assessment Panel comprising members with relevant export, industry and commercial expertise. Panel members are required to declare any conflicts of interest.

Applications recommended for further consideration will also undergo a financial review by the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA).

The Program adopts a competitive application process, where applications are assessed on merit by DSD. Please see the program guidelines for further information.

The final decision on grant recipients will be made by DSD based on the recommendation of the assessment panel.

Applications close on Monday 19 October 2026.

DSD aims to notify applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements as soon as practicable following eligibility review.

Successful/unsuccessful applicants will be notified within 6-8 weeks of the closing date.

It is important to note that whilst DSD aims to ensure dates are met, there are times where dates may be subject to change.

DSD is using the SmartyGrants grants management system, which is an Australian cloud-based grants administration software and data science solution.

SmartyGrants is ISO accredited (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 - the world's best-known standard for information security management systems).

If you have any technical difficulties in accessing or using the online application platform, contact the DSD Trade Grants team via email at DSD.GEP@sa.gov.au or call during business hours (08) 7085 1533.

DSD’s extensive team of specialist Export Advisers are located across South Australia and can provide general export advisory services to support your application. Further information is available at https://export.sa.gov.au/trade-team

DSD does not have an appeal mechanism for unsuccessful applicants. Applicants can contact DSD in writing and lodge a complaint vie email at DSD.GEP@sa.gov.au

If selected for the Global Expansion Program, you will receive a free business review by an external provider who is selected by DSD. A report of the business review results will be provided to you and will outline specific export needs for your business. Grant funding of up to AUD$50,000 per participant will be made available to address impediments to export growth identified by the business reviews, but the grant only be offered to applicants where:

• Business reviews have been completed
• A 12-month action plan has been developed by the applicant based on the individual business review results
• DSD has approved the action plan and activity for which the funding will be used.

Yes, you can choose to access export services provided by those you have already worked with, but the funding assistance must address the gaps identified by the business reviews. The service providers must demonstrate capability and experience in the identified areas to provide support to you. You will be requested to declare conflicts of interest before engaging nominated service providers.

No. Any services that are not direct export support services including operational expenses for your routine business export activities are not eligible under the Program. This Program focuses on export-capability building, and hence the funding will only be provided to support South Australian companies to build their export capability, rather than assisting with operational activities.

Grant funding is generally paid in two instalments.

An initial payment of up to 50% of the approved grant may be paid following execution of the Grant Agreement, approval of the Action Plan and submission of a valid tax invoice.

A final payment of up to 50% is generally paid in arrears and is calculated based on eligible expenditure actually incurred and paid during the Funding Period.

The final payment may be reduced where eligible expenditure is less than the approved grant amount.

DSD may vary payment arrangements, including instalment amounts and timing, on a case-by-case basis.

You will be required to submit a tax invoice from selected service provider(s) with respect to the eligible service specified in your action plans, as well as a receipt from the service provider(s) confirming your payment of the eligible service. As evidence of the use of the grant, you will be required to submit a report on the eligible service accessed through the funding.

Successful Global Expansion Program participants are required to complete an action plan to outline how grant funding will be used to address the business review findings and drive your export growth.

Successful Global Expansion Program participants are required to obtain quotes from third parties to deliver the activities outlined in the action plan. These quotes are used to help determine the final grant amount that the participant will receive.