This summary details the funding opportunity for the Southeast Asia Mutual Recognition of Professional Services (SEAMRPS) Grant Program – Round 2. This program aims to significantly facilitate trade in professional services between Australia and Southeast Asia by supporting crucial accreditation and licensing efforts. The funding mechanism focuses on helping Australian bodies negotiate Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) with their counterparts in Southeast Asia, which ultimately makes it easier for professionals to practice overseas by recognizing equivalent qualifications and licensing standards across different jurisdictions.

Program Overview and Objectives

The core objective of the SEAMRPS Grant Program is to bolster trade in professional services across the Australia-Southeast Asia corridor. This is achieved by providing support for Australian professional service accreditation, licensing, and registration bodies as they negotiate MRAs. These arrangements are vital because they streamline the process for professionals seeking to practice in foreign jurisdictions by validating their existing qualifications and licensing standards.

The grant is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is categorized under Trade and Tourism. The program has a defined total funding amount available, with estimated grant values ranging from $20,000.00 to $40,000.00 AUD. Interested parties should note the official closing date and time for submissions.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants

To qualify for this grant funding, the potential grantee must meet specific criteria related to their operational status and registration within Australia. The primary requirement is that the applicant must be an Australian professional service accreditation, licensing, and/or registration body. Furthermore, applicants must maintain several key administrative registrations to ensure compliance and financial capacity.

Specific mandatory requirements for eligibility include:

• Possessing an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Being registered for the purposes of Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• Having an active account with an Australian financial institution.

Applicants are strongly advised to refer to the detailed Grant Guidelines document for a comprehensive understanding of all eligibility criteria.

Application Submission Process and Deadlines

All applications must be submitted electronically through the designated platform, which is SmartyGrants. The submission process requires applicants to provide comprehensive documentation detailing their organization and explicitly demonstrating how they meet all stipulated grant criteria. Beyond the core application, several supporting documents are mandatory for review.

Key components required during the application submission include:

• Information about the applicant's organization.
• Evidence demonstrating alignment with the grant criteria.
• Support documentation confirming organizational backing for the application.
• An accountant declaration confirming the applicant's capacity to fund their required share of the grant activity costs.

The deadline for submitting applications is set for 5-May-2026 at 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time). The opportunity was published on 7-Apr-2026, and the selection process is designated as Targeted or Restricted Competitive.

Contact Information and Program Details

For any inquiries regarding the SEAMRPS Grant Program, applicants should direct their communications to the Mobility and Mutual Recognition Section within DFAT. This section manages the program and can provide further clarification on the guidelines.

Essential contact details for follow-up are:

• Email Address: professionalservicesmru@dfat.gov.au
• Web Address:

The grant opportunity is identified by the following administrative codes:

• GO ID: GO8361
• Agency: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Primary Category: 341000 - Trade and Tourism