Export grants and finance support

Identifying finance gaps

Having access to finance is critical to running a sustainable wine export business.

On top of managing a long list of one-off and ongoing export costs, fulfilling international orders and managing payment terms can put substantial pressure on business cash flow.

Before you enter overseas markets, it’s essential you work with your accountant to get a clear understanding of where your finances stand. In an ideal scenario, your domestic business will be well established and have enough capital to fund and sustain your export operations. But if you identify any capital or cash flow gaps, you may need to secure alternative sources of finance. Here are some potential avenues to investigate.

Banks

Some banks have services and products specifically designed to help exporters manage risk, currency fluctuations, finance and payments. Your bank may, for example, be able to provide short-term finance solutions or offer payment terms that align with international trading cycles. You can also apply for risk management tools that help protect you from adverse exchange rate movements, such as agreeing to a set exchange rate for a specific time in the future.

Export Finance Australia

Export Finance Australia is the Australian Government’s export credit agency. They can provide loans and guarantees that enable wineries to take on export-related opportunities when they have been unable to secure funding through other avenues.

Their finance solutions include:

• Small business export loans
• Export contract loans
• Export lines of credit
• Overseas direct investment guarantees.

Government grants and programs

The Australian Government offers various grants and funding to help support export initiatives. These include all-industry grants, as well as some specific to the wine industry. One example of this includes Austrade’s flagship Export Market Development Grant (EMDG). 

Available grants and programs change regularly, and you will need to meet certain criteria to be eligible. The best way to take advantage of these grants is to stay up-to-date with application dates, requirements and guidelines. Sign up to Wine Australia’s market bulletins below to ensure you don’t miss out on any upcoming opportunities.