Grant status: Closed (closed 13 February 2023)
The Australian Government’s Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation (ATMAC) program provides grants for projects that harness opportunities to access new markets and strengthen market presence through existing channels for agricultural commodities affected by market disruptions and which have restricted access to key destination markets.
ATMAC is a non-competitive grant program with $7.5 million available in 2022-23 for grants to expand trade in Australia’s agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors into emerging export markets and/or export markets with high-growth potential. This will be achieved through support for diversification efforts that align with industry priorities.
Trade diversification and expansion is key to Australia’s future prosperity, as well for the industry to reach their goal of a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030. ATMAC provides a mechanism for the government to enter strategic partnerships, developed jointly with industry, that support trade diversification and expansion and provide direct benefits for the sector.
Applicants were required to contact the department by 13 February 2023 for an application to be eligible for consideration. The program is now closed for new applications.
Who benefits
Industry associations, including peak bodies and Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) were eligible to apply for a grant under the ATMAC program. Grant applications needed to demonstrate broad support across industry stakeholders and include a meaningful co-contribution (financial and/or in-kind). The nature of the arrangements will vary depending on the sector, export markets and diversification activities being targeted.
What is supported
Activities eligible for support under ATMAC include, but are not limited to:
- investments that support trade expansion
- international marketing and promotion plans
- research and development
- training and education
- information exchange
- feasibility studies
- competitor analyses or sector or market analyses
- export strategy development
- targeted relationship development
- influencing the evolution or adoption of international standards and protocols.
How to apply
Applicants were required to contact the department by 13 February 2023 for an application to be eligible for consideration. The program is now closed to new applications.
The ATMAC Grant Guidelines advise how to apply for assistance from the ATMAC program. Applications were made using the approved application form which is then reviewed by the department to determine whether it is eligible under the program.
Eligible applications will then be reviewed by an Industry Advisory Group (IAG) comprised of leaders of major agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries and representing a range of peak industry bodies and exporters. The IAG provides expert advice on the merits of proposals, value for money and their alignment with identified priorities and current export market challenges from an industry perspective. The IAG’s advice ensures ATMAC grant applications are aligned with industry priorities and is a crucial step for progressing a successful application.
Following IAG review and feedback, the ATMAC Assessment Panel (comprised of senior departmental officers with responsibilities for trade and export-related activities) assess the applications to ensure they are aligned with government policy and make recommendations for funding. Applications are assessed against defined criteria, including contribution to the objectives of the program, addressing a specific need, capability of the grantee to undertake the grant activities, value-for-money, due diligence and risk.
Decisions on the awarding of grants under the ATMAC program are made by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry based on the recommendations of the Assessment Panel.
Successful applicants then execute an ATMAC Grant Agreement to receive funding, acquit grant expenditure through financial declarations, and report on the progress and completion of their project.
Download
ATMAC Application Template (DOCX 45 KB)
ATMAC Budget Template DOC (39 KB)
ATMAC Risk Assessment Template DOCX 39 KB)
ATMAC Grant Guidelines (PDF 153 KB)
ATMAC Grant Guidelines (DOCX 236 KB)
ATMAC Industry Advisory Group feedback on applications (PDF 157 KB)
ATMAC Industry Advisory Group feedback on applications (DOCX 232 KB)
Frequently asked questions (PDF 174 KB)
Frequently asked questions (DOCX 232 KB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
List of ATMAC grants awarded 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23
2020-21 |
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| Recipient | Project name | Grant amount (GST exclusive) |
| Australian Cotton Shippers Association – phase 1 | Taking Australian Cotton to the World - Market Diversification & Supply Chain Expansion & Education | $692,456 |
| Australian Grape and Wine | Australian Grape and Wine Sector Market Diversification Framework | $998,000 |
| Australian Nut Industry Council | Nut Industry Trade and Market Access Expansion Program | $550,000 |
| Dairy Australia | Reduction of Technical Barriers to Trade for Australian Dairy in South East Asia | $310,000 |
| Meat & Livestock Australia | Australian Red Meat Export Market Diversification: Saudi Arabia / Thailand / Vietnam | $1,520,000 |
| Seafood Industry Australia – phase 1 | Marketing, Access and Export Development Proposal for the Australian Seafood Industry | $888,000 |
| Grains Australia Limited | Market Diversification for Australian Grains Industry - Beyond China | $969,480 |
2021-22 |
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| WoolProducers Australia Limited – phase 1 | Ensuring a Sustainable Australian Wool Industry through Market Diversification and Risk Mitigation | $662,000 |
| Infant Nutrition Council | Diversifying Australia's Infant Formula Exports | $160,000 |
| National Farmers' Federation | National Farmers' Federation International Engagement Strategy | $210,000 |
| Hort Innovation for the Food and Wine Collaboration Group (dairy, meat, horticulture, wine, and seafood sectors) | Australian Food and Wine Collaboration Group Market Expansion Initiative | $500,000 |
| Berries Australia | Post-COVID19 international market program for Australian berry industries | $239,000 |
| Forest and Wood Products Australia | Splinters to Structures: Value Adding to Exported Wood Fibre | $1,183,000 |
| Seafood Industry Australia – phase 2 | Seafood Industry Australia: Marketing, Access, and Export Development Proposal for the Australian Seafood Industry - Year 2 | $1,275,000 |
| Australian Grape and Wine – phase 2 | Australian Grape and Wine Sector Market Diversification Framework Implementation - Stage 2 | $1,817,000 |
| Geraldton Fishermen's Co-operative | Value-adding, market expansion and market diversification for Australian lobster | $1,926,000 |
| Australian Cotton Shippers Association – phase 2 | Taking Australian Cotton to the World - Market Diversification & Supply Chain Expansion & Education | $1,411,000 |
| Red Meat Advisory Council | Australian Red Meat Market Diversification Program | $752,600 |
| Horticulture Innovation Australia | Australian Horticulture International Demand Creation | $2,040,000 |
| Citrus Australia | Australian Citrus to India: 30,000 tonnes by 2030 | $485,771 |
| Queensland Cane Growers Organisation Ltd | Diversifying and Enhancing Market Access for the Australian Sugar Exports | $539,000 |
2022-23 (as of 27 March 2023) |
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| Australian Renderers Association | Diversification of export markets for Australian rendered products in Asia | $460,900 |
| Australian Hide Skin and Leather Exporters Association | Diversification of export markets for Australian leather by building its environmental credentials and educating critical markets. | $562,300 |
| WoolProducers Australia Limited – phase 2 | Ensuring a sustainable Australian Wool Industry through market diversification and risk mitigation - Phase 2 | $800,000 |
Further information
For further information on the ATMAC program please contact: ATMAC@agriculture.gov.au