TIQ Market Accelerator Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The TIQ Market Accelerator Program is designed to support Queensland exporters to secure new international sales opportunities and expand into new or underdeveloped overseas markets. It targets emerging, new-to-export, growing and experienced exporters that are ready to finalise export deals and leverage concrete buyer interest in global markets. The program aims to help businesses accelerate growth, diversify export revenue streams and build resilience by supporting practical, deal-focused export activities.

The program provides matched funding of up to $30,000 (ex GST) per project, within a broader funding pool of $750,000 for the 2025–26 round. Funding is focused on activities that directly support closing or scaling export transactions, rather than general marketing, and must lead to clear export outcomes within the grant period. The program forms part of Queensland’s broader support for trade and investment and aligns with state priorities to grow high‑value export sectors and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Up to $30,000 ex GST per eligible project on a 1:1 matched funding basis.
• Application open and close dates: The 2025–26 Market Accelerator Program is currently open; specific closing dates may vary and should be confirmed on the TIQ website and program guidelines.
• Eligible industries or business types: Queensland-based SMEs that are emerging, new-to-export, growing or experienced exporters across a range of sectors, with particular suitability for high-growth export sectors (see Priority Sectors below).
• Required co-contributions: Yes – applicants must provide a 1:1 matched cash contribution for each eligible project cost (for example, a $30,000 grant requires $30,000 in eligible applicant expenditure, totalling $60,000 ex GST in project costs).
• Location/state/territory applicability: Businesses must be headquartered in Queensland and exporting goods or services from Queensland.

Priority Sectors

The grant program is open to a broad range of export-oriented businesses; however, it is described as particularly suited to emerging high-growth sectors, including defence, mining, biofuels and the technology sector. Within technology, there is a specific focus on med/biotech, agtech and foodtech exporters. Applicants from other export sectors may also be considered, provided they meet all eligibility and export-readiness requirements.

Funding Scope

Funding is provided as a single matched-funding stream rather than multiple streams, with a maximum of $30,000 ex GST per application. The guidelines specify that applicants must apply for “up to $30,000 ex GST” in funding and demonstrate the same amount in matched cash project expenditure; there is no separate minimum amount published, but requested funding must be appropriate to the project scope and eligible activities.

Projects must be capable of being completed and delivering export outcomes within the grant period, which is up to 12 months from the project start date as defined in the funding agreement. The grant is paid in two stages: an initial payment of 50% of the approved grant amount after execution of the financial incentive agreement and submission of an invoice, and a final payment on completion of the project and acceptance of required reports and evidence of eligible expenditure and export outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

Key eligibility requirements include:

• The applicant must be applying for up to $30,000 ex GST in funding and be able to provide a 1:1 matched cash contribution for each eligible expense.
• The applicant must have fully acquitted any previous grants received from Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) or Study Queensland.
• The business must have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST.
• The company address must be headquartered in Queensland.
• Only one application per eligible entity or financial beneficiary may be submitted.
• The applicant must be a sole trader, a company incorporated in Australia, an incorporated trustee applying on behalf of a trust, or a small industry association not receiving government funding.
• The applicant must be a small to medium-sized enterprise with 199 or fewer full-time employees and not a subsidiary of a group of companies that has 200 or more full-time equivalent employees.
• The applicant must have a minimum trading history of two full financial years, demonstrated by financial statements in the business name, plus interim FY25–26 statements, with a net profit shown for FY24–25 and FY25–26.​
• The applicant must be pre-qualified by TIQ as export-ready (emerging, new-to-export, growing or experienced exporter) and the buyer must be pre-qualified by a TIQ Client Manager.
• The project must be capable of being completed within the grant period and delivering export outcomes, such as confirmed or near-final export sales.
• The applicant must not be insolvent, and owners/directors must not be bankrupt or undischarged from bankruptcy.
• The applicant must have documented proof of the proposed sale for the export of goods or services for a business-to-business transaction into a new or limited-sales market, as defined in the FAQs.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Eligible project costs focus on practical activities that help secure and deliver export deals and may include:

• Export accreditation and regulatory documentation, such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Halal accreditation, where required for market entry.
• Costs associated with complying with free trade agreement documentation and market-specific standards.
• Freight costs incurred in delivering the first export activity in a new international market, including product samples or trial shipments where there is no commercial outcome or return on investment from that initial shipment.
• Travel costs for activities such as product approvals, finalising deals, installation, training, operations, and maintenance are directly related to the export transaction.
• Other approved project activities that are necessary to complete or scale a specific export sale, as outlined in the program guidelines and agreed in the funding agreement.​

Applicants should refer to the official guidelines for a detailed list of eligible and ineligible expenses and ensure that all budget items clearly align with the export outcomes being pursued.​

Assessment Process

The program is competitive, with applications assessed against published criteria rather than being automatically approved if eligibility is met. Assessment focuses on organisational capability, project merit, strategic alignment and value for money.​

Organisational capability covers the applicant’s capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project, including risk appetite, track record and any history of delivering past TIQ-funded projects. Project merit and strategic alignment consider how well the project contributes to the program objectives, the strength of the export opportunity, and the likelihood of achieving the intended outcomes within the grant period. Value for money considers whether the requested grant and matched contribution represent efficient use of public funds in light of the expected export impact and broader benefits to Queensland.​

Recent Program Updates

The 2025–26 Market Accelerator Program has been launched with a total program funding pool of $750,000, providing matched funding of up to $30,000 per successful applicant. Public announcements indicate that this is a new or refreshed grants initiative under the Queensland Government’s broader trade and investment agenda, aimed at helping Queensland businesses “break into” or expand within global markets.

The current round emphasises practical, deal-focused activities. It requires stronger evidence of export readiness and confirmed or near-confirmed export opportunities, including pre-qualification of both the exporter and buyer by TIQ. Applicants should review the latest program guidelines and FAQs, as conditions and documentation requirements may differ from earlier TIQ export programs.

Application Tips

• Carefully review the full program guidelines, FAQs and terms and conditions to confirm that the business, buyer and proposed project all meet the eligibility requirements and mandatory conditions.
• Prepare key documentation early, including financial statements, export-ready and buyer qualification certificates, evidence of proposed export sales and any required certifications or regulatory approvals.
• Clearly articulate how the proposed activities will lead to specific export outcomes within the 12‑month project period, including target markets, buyers, timelines and expected contract values.
• Align the project with Queensland Government trade and investment priorities, particularly if operating in high-growth or priority sectors such as defence, mining, biofuels, med/biotech, agtech or foodtech.
• Demonstrate organisational capability and resources to deliver the project by outlining relevant experience, existing export activities and internal processes for managing risk and compliance.​
• Ensure the project budget is realistic, limited to eligible costs and clearly evidences the required 1:1 cash co-contribution.

Applicants seeking to maximise competitiveness may benefit from professional grant support to refine project framing, eligibility interpretation and documentation.

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 we will connect you 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 official website of the TIQ Market Accelerator Program and other associated Australian government websites.