Programs and initiatives

Asia Gateway Vouchers are available to small to medium businesses and organisations seeking to increase their export and business activity with an Asian market. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for assistance under the program:

1. Are a business registered in Victoria with an Australian Business Number (ABN);
2. Meet any co-contribution requirements with eligible cash expenditure;
3. Meet all industrial relations obligations as an employer in accordance with the National Employment Standards;
4. Have an operating presence in Victoria;
5. Employ 20 to 200 staff or have an annual turnover of greater than $1.5 million; and
6. Agree to participate in future program evaluation.

NOTE: Commonwealth and State agencies and bodies are not eligible to apply.

Eligible services under the Asia Gateway Voucher Stream come under the overarching umbrella of Market Engagement: assisting businesses and organisations identify and secure Asian market development and export opportunities. Services activities may include:

• Marketing and Branding Strategy Development
• Market Development Plan
• In-Market Support

NOTE: Services that are not viewed as one-on-one, bespoke services to individual Victorian businesses or organisations such as group trade missions, delegations, seminars, events, workshops and/or training are not eligible.

Assistance of up to $50,000 is available to help businesses grow their export and market development capability that align to the Asia Gateway objectives:

• Capitalising on growth opportunities in Asia – Voucher projects will increase immediate to short-term business activities with Asian markets.
• Connecting and expanding into Asia – Voucher projects will provide businesses with the know-how, networks and skills for effective access to and expansion into Asian markets.
• Increased Asia capabilities – Voucher projects will better position businesses and organisations for long term engagement with Asian markets.

Vouchers can be used to access tailored market engagement services from Registered Service Providers who specialise in Asia capabilities, export and market development. Registered Service Providers will offer businesses access to the knowledge, expertise, networks and skills they need to effectively engage with Victoria’s top Asian trading markets. These include:

• China
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Taiwan
• Vietnam
• Singapore
• Japan
• Korea

Applicants need to:

1. Read the Boost Your Business Vouchers Program Guidelines PDF, 411.5 KB
2. Identify and engage an appropriate Registered Service Provider for the Asia Gateway Stream.
3. Submit an online application with an attached quotation by Friday 2 March 2018.

Apply

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 13 July 2018.

Explore the other Voucher Streams available for Victorian businesses to help them become more productive, employ more people, improve market access and in general, increase their scale, diversity, and profitability:

• Advanced Manufacturing Voucher Stream
• Food Innovation Voucher Stream
• Social Enterprise Capability Voucher Stream
• Victoria Israel Innovation Voucher Stream
• Defence, Aerospace and Security Voucher Stream