Global Expansion Program

Key dates: First call for EOIs

 Applications open:
20 November 2020 Applications close:
11 December 2020

The Global Expansion Program is a $2.3 million funding program delivered over four years to 30 June 2024.

The program aims to support recently growing South Australian businesses to build their export capability and capacity and become the state’s next global leaders.

The Global Expansion Program targets South Australian companies that export infrequently; those entering new markets and businesses that need to build in-country knowledge and expertise about new markets.

As key features of the Program, bespoke services and support will be delivered by a network of firms as part of the Program funding. The services will be matched to the specific needs of individual participating companies identified by free business reviews to be undertaken as part of the Program.

Program objectives 


  • Increase the number of South Australian companies exporting higher value export products and services
  • Increase the number of South Australian companies that are pursuing high growth through persistent and sustainable exporting strategies
  • Assist South Australian companies to expand exports in current and/or new markets to deliver a significant increase (impact) on export sales for South Australia
  • Increase access and utilisation of a suite of export services by South Australian companies.

Program structure


The Program will have three separate rounds, and each round is structured in three stages:

  1. Expression of interest (EOI) application
  2. Free business reviews to identify impediments to export growth 
  3. Grant funding to address the impediments with bespoke services.

The first is a call for EOIs, which open Friday 20 November 2020, until COB Friday 11 December 2020.

Following the EOI closing date, the Department for Trade and Investment (DTI) will assess EOI applications and shortlist up to 20-30 businesses for them to go through free business reviews, which will be undertaken by an external provider. The aim of the business reviews is to identify/confirm each company’s impediments to export growth.

A report of business review results will be provided to each participant and will be used by DTI to select final Program participants of up to 10-15 companies to receive grant funding to address the impediments identified by business reviews and access bespoke services and support.

A report of business review results will be provided to each participant and will be used by DTI to select final Program participants of up to 10-15 companies to receive grant funding to address the impediments identified by business reviews and access bespoke services and support.

Eligibility 


To be eligible to participate in the Program, the applicant must have an ABN and be established and generating revenue for 36 or more months in South Australia. Although there is no minimum turnover or FTE requirement, the applicant must demonstrate that it falls under one of the State Government’s priority sectors:

  • Creative industries
  • Defence industries
  • Energy and mining
  • Food, wine and agribusiness
  • Health and medical industries
  • Hi-tech
  • International education
  • Space industries
  • Tourism.

Additionally, the applicant is required to provide information on its growth history, in terms of recent growth in revenues/employees, as well as evidence of historic and current export endeavours to be eligible for the Program. 

DTI will categorise eligible companies into the following three stages of export maturity to assess their EOI applications separately: 

  • Infrequent exporter: Lacking an export strategy, a plan or execution capability and capacity
  • New market entrant: exporting well in existing markets but have clear specialised barriers to entry in new markets (e.g. regulations/taxes etc.)
  • In-country focus: lacking the in-country partnerships, expertise and knowledge. 

Key dates 


  • EOI applications for Cohort 1 (2020-21) closed Friday 11 December 2020
  • All EOI applications will be assessed by late December 2020 to announce shortlisted Program participants to receive free business reviews
  • A final decision regarding recipients of the Program funding will be made in summer/autumn 2021 following the completion of business reviews in early 2021
  • The EOI open date for Cohort 2 (2021-22) will be announced in autumn/winter 2021.

Want to know more?

Applications closed 11 December 2020


Please note that DTI is using Tactiv’s online application platform called Enquire, which is an Australian cloud-based software package. You can refer to Enquire’s Cloud Support Portal which contains information to assist you with completing registration and application in Enquire should you need any navigation help during lodgment.

Service provider directory


A directory for service providers has been developed by the Industry Capability Network (ICN) for the Global Expansion Program. The companies listed in this directory submitted expressions of interest as suppliers of services for the Global Expansion Program on ICN Gateway between 20 November 2020 and 12 February 2021.

Visit the service provider directory developed by ICN.

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