Global trade does not look the same as it did 5 years ago. Trade wars, unexpected tariffs and a seemingly constant stream of new and varied protectionist measures have eroded trust in global supply chains, and new uncertainties have emerged with shifts in global alliances. For Australian exporters, that reality hit hard, and the government’s response is the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI).
Launched in September 2025, the Accessing New Markets Initiative is a $50M AUD, two-year program run by Austrade in close collaboration with 40 national peak industry bodies. The aim is simple: help Australian businesses to discover new export markets, expand in those they are already part of, and create the type of resilience that can survive global shocks and disruptions.
Why This Matters Now
Australia’s trade exposure is significant. As per the Australian Government, about one in every four jobs is trade-related, and almost a third of the country’s economic output relies on it. That is a lot riding on conditions you do not control.
The challenge is not new, but it is accelerating. As per the Government statement, on average. Businesses in Australia that export are more productive, employ more people, and pay higher wages. Helping more of them do that, in more markets, is the point.
Consider a mid-sized agricultural exporter who, over the course of a decade, became highly dependent on a single Asian market. When trade conditions changed, this exporter found their ability to diversify was limited. They lacked the networks, market intelligence, and in-country contacts to move quickly. That’s precisely the gap ANMI aims to close.
What the Accessing New Markets Initiative Actually Does
ANMI isn’t a voucher scheme or a grant you apply for in isolation. It’s a coordinated, sector-specific support structure built around a new body called the Trade Diversification Network (TDN).
Here’s how it works in practice:
- 40 national peak industry bodies are selected through a competitive process and sit within the TDN. They represent sectors including agriculture, health, defence, advanced manufacturing, and the green economy.
- These peak bodies work directly with Austrade to design activities tailored to their sector’s specific export needs.
- The result is support that fits your industry rather than a generic program applied across the board.
Activities already underway include trade missions, business matching sessions, and participation in major international events, such as Asia Fruit Logistica, Gulfood, the China International Import Expo, and the World Health Expo.
The Accessing New Markets Initiative also funds additional in-market trade advisors, expanded offshore events, and new strategic initiatives that sit alongside Austrade’s existing services: one-on-one client support, export market development grants, and digital tools such as the Go Global Toolkit and Export Academy.
The Partnership Model: Why It Is Different
Previous government trade programs often positioned the government as the primary actor. The architecture of the Accessing New Markets Initiative is deliberately different. The TDN creates room for cross-sector collaboration, allowing smaller peak bodies to coordinate with others and compound the benefit to their members.
This is important because the knowledge of specific industry that peak bodies possess, buyer connections, certification needs, and industry context, are all the very things that make market entry possible. The government provides the global infrastructure; the industry supplies the ground-level intelligence. It is a more valuable combination than either could ever hope to be alone.
Which Sectors Stand to Gain
The 40 TDN members cover significant ground. The Accessing New Markets Initiative targets sectors facing trade volatility or those with clear growth potential in underserved markets.
The focus regions include:
- The Middle East: Growing demand across food, health, and technology sectors
- Southeast Asia: Long-term consumption growth and strengthening regional trade ties
- Emerging markets: Where Australian producers have competitive advantages but a limited established presence
National Farmers’ Federation of Australia also welcomed the ANMI program specifically for its resilience-building function: According to their statement, open markets, fair rules, and strong trade partnerships are essential to Australia’s economic strength, food security, and regional prosperity.”
What This Means for Exporters Who Aren’t Peak Body Members
You might be wondering whether ANMI applies to you if your business is not directly part of a peak industry body. The answer is: likely yes, indirectly.
If your sector is represented in the TDN, the activities designed by your peak body, trade missions, showcases, and market intelligence sessions are built for member businesses. The question to ask your industry association is simple: “What are you planning through ANMI, and how do I get access?”
Beyond the TDN structure, ANMI supports and funds expanded programming, which means trade events your business might already attend could have more resources behind them, larger delegations, and better business-matching capabilities.
The Adaptive Delivery Model: Built for Uncertainty
One detail worth paying attention to is how ANMI is designed to operate. The program uses what it describes as an “adaptive delivery model”, meaning it can respond to changing market conditions rather than running a fixed activity calendar.
In practical terms, that means if a new trade opportunity opens up in a region or if conditions shift, the Accessing New Markets Initiative will redirect support without waiting for the next funding cycle. For exporters, that responsiveness is worth more than a static list of scheduled events.
How to Access Support Through ANMI
Your starting point depends on your sector:
- Identify your TDN peak body: A full list of 40 members is available on the Austrade website.
- Contact them directly to find out what activities are planned for your sector and how your business can participate.
- Connect with Austrade for one-on-one client services if your needs go beyond what’s covered through your peak body.
- Check the Austrade Australian Exporters page for the full range of trade services available alongside ANMI.
The Bigger Picture
The Accessing New Markets Initiative is not a short-term fix. The intent is to build long-term trade capability, the relationships, market knowledge, and sector networks that make diversification possible beyond the program’s two-year window.
That’s a more ambitious goal than most government programs set for themselves. Whether it delivers will depend on how well the TDN structure translates into real activity on the ground and how quickly Australian businesses move to take advantage of it.
The opportunity for Australian Exporters is great. The markets are shifting. If your business exports, or is ready to, the time to engage with the Accessing New Markets Initiative is now, not after your key market changes its rules.
Not sure where your business fits within the ANMI structure, or whether your sector is covered? Pattens Group works with Australian businesses to cut through the process and get you connected to the right support. Reach out to our team to find out what is available for your sector.
