Landing Pads Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The Landing Pads program supports export-ready Australian tech scaleups to expand into international markets by providing targeted in‑market experiences, tailored advice and connections to customers, partners and investors. It focuses on helping businesses make informed decisions about international expansion, refine and validate market‑entry plans and raise their profile at major trade shows and ecosystem events.

The program operates as a structured support service rather than a direct cash grant, with Austrade delivering digital and in‑market programs in key global hubs. It plays a broader role in strengthening Australia’s technology export capability by linking high‑growth companies with global networks, capital and insights, and by showcasing the Australian tech ecosystem to international investors through related services such as the Australian Dealroom platform.

There is no published overall funding pool or per‑business grant amount; instead, the program provides facilitated access, advisory support and curated activities over defined program periods in selected overseas markets.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Support program only; no advertised direct grant funding or reimbursement. Participation delivers advisory services, in‑market programs and connections rather than cash payments.
• Application dates: Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are accepted on an ongoing basis, with specific Landing Pads programs and cohorts scheduled at different times.
• Eligible industries or business types: Export‑ready Australian tech businesses that are scaling and seeking international growth.
• Required co‑contributions: Participants must have funding available to support their own international expansion activities, including at least 12 months of runway; no explicit co‑contribution percentage is stated.
• Location/state/territory applicability: Open to Australian businesses nationally; programs are delivered into overseas Landing Pad markets including Bengaluru, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, London, San Francisco and Singapore.

Priority Sectors

The program is designed for Australian tech businesses and tech‑enabled scaleups, with a focus on high‑growth, innovation‑driven companies seeking to expand internationally. Within this, the guidelines do not list specific priority sub‑sectors, so it is effectively open to a broad range of technology verticals that meet the export‑ready criteria.

Funding Scope

The Landing Pads Program operates as a service‑based export support program, not as a traditional grant with minimum and maximum funding amounts per stream. There are no published monetary limits, grant streams or separate funding categories such as feasibility or capital works; instead, the value is provided through program content, local partner expertise and access to networks in each market.

Programs typically run from one week to one month in each Landing Pads market, with activities scheduled around trade shows or ecosystem events and supplemented by digital delivery where appropriate. Participants are expected to fund their own business operations, travel and market execution activities during and after the program, using Landing Pads as a platform to accelerate their global expansion.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be an Australian tech business or tech‑enabled scaleup seeking to expand internationally.
• Must have an existing product with customers and/or partners (not an early‑stage concept only).
• Must have funding available to expand internationally, including at least 12 months of runway to support overseas activity.
• Must be able to clearly articulate objectives and vision for international growth.
• Must have clear commercial reasons to expand into at least one Landing Pads market, such as existing sales, strong leads or identified market opportunity.
• Must be willing to submit an Expression of Interest and participate in a competitive assessment process to join specific programs.

(ABN, GST registration, business structure, turnover thresholds and insurance requirements are not specifically detailed on the program page; applicants should confirm these in the Expression of Interest form and any supporting guidelines.)

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The program supports activities that build international readiness and connections rather than reimbursing specific expenses. Typical supported activities include:

• Participating in curated in‑market programs, workshops and mentoring to refine market‑entry and go‑to‑market strategies.
• Meeting customers, partners, investors and ecosystem stakeholders in Landing Pads locations.
• Attending or leveraging major trade shows and events aligned with program timing to raise brand profile.
• Using Austrade’s Go Global Toolkit and Dealroom ecosystem resources to plan export strategies and connect with global investors.

Direct funding for capital equipment, staffing, R&D or other internal expenditure is not described; such costs are generally borne by the participating business.

Assessment Process

Entry into Landing Pads programs is competitive, with businesses required to submit an Expression of Interest for each program. EOIs outline the specific content and objectives of the relevant program and may include additional criteria beyond the general eligibility settings.

Austrade assesses applications to identify suitable companies for each cohort, focusing on the fit between the business and the program objectives. While detailed scoring criteria are not published on the main page, the assessment is likely to consider factors such as export readiness, clarity of international growth objectives, market fit for the selected Landing Pad, and the company’s capacity to execute overseas expansion.

Recent Program Updates

The current Landing Pads and Dealroom page reflects an integrated approach that combines in‑market Landing Pads programs with digital tools such as the Go Global Toolkit and the Australian Dealroom Ecosystem. Austrade continues to schedule one‑week to one‑month programs in six key markets, and related communications highlight ongoing success stories of Australian tech businesses using Landing Pads to enter the US and other regions.

Specific changes to funding levels, eligibility thresholds or legislative underpinnings are not detailed on the overview page; prospective applicants should review the latest Expression of Interest documentation for each program to confirm current settings.

Application Tips

• Review the Landing Pads overview, locations and related Go Global resources to confirm that the program aligns with the business’s international growth stage and target markets.
• Carefully check the eligibility criteria in both the general guidelines and the specific Expression of Interest for the chosen program or market.
• Prepare a clear, evidence‑based description of the product, current customers and partners, traction to date and international runway (including at least 12 months of funding).
• Demonstrate a well‑defined market‑entry or market‑expansion plan for the selected Landing Pad market, including why that location is strategically relevant (existing leads, sales or defined opportunity).
• Show that key founders or executives can commit time to participate in program activities, in‑market engagement and follow‑up.
• Align the application with broader Australian government priorities around technology exports, innovation, and job‑creating growth where relevant, without overstating claims.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today, and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the program’s official website and other associated Australian government websites.