Life Sciences and Healthcare to Vietnam and Malaysia

Gain market insights, join trade missions and grow your business overseas. Applications open on 30 January 2026 and close on 9 March 2026.

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The Going Global Export Program opens doors for NSW’s next generation of SME exporters. Through a bespoke market preparation, followed by a market-entry mission, the program will help you to increase your export proficiency and harness business growth through international export opportunities.

Applications are open

Applications are now open for eligible businesses who are now invited to apply to participate in Life Sciences and Healthcare to Vietnam and Malaysia. The program will run from June 2026 to end of July 2026.

The program will consist of:

A bespoke 4-6 week market preparation program with a targeted educational curriculum.
A market entry mission to Vietnam and Malaysia to facilitate business introductions and meetings with potential partners and identify export opportunities.
Ongoing engagement and support with Investment NSW onshore and international network.

Information session

Program dates

June to July 2026.

Key activities

22–24 July 2026, Vietnam (dates to be confirmed) has a bespoke series of networking functions and events designed to connect participants with key industry stakeholders, buyers, and specifiers. The program includes activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
28-30 July 2026,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia APHM International Healthcare Conference & Exhibition

In-person attendance in both markets by a company representative is mandatory.

Why you should apply

NSW life science and healthcare companies have strong strategic and commercial reasons to consider exporting to Malaysia and Vietnam, where rising incomes, ageing populations, and increasing health awareness are driving growth in healthcare demand. Malaysia’s expanding private healthcare sector and role as a medical tourism hub are boosting demand for advanced medical services, devices, and pharmaceuticals. In Vietnam, fast‑increasing healthcare spending and limited domestic production are creating significant demand for imported medical technologies.

Both countries rely heavily on imported advanced healthcare products, creating strong opportunities for high‑quality Australian exporters. Vietnam imports more than 90% of its medical equipment (IMF, 2024) and is encouraging greater private sector involvement, driving demand for modern technologies and services. Malaysia, despite its established manufacturing base, continues to seek specialised and high‑end products not produced locally. Trade agreements such as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), along with ongoing ASEAN regulatory harmonisation, further enhance market access and position Malaysia and Vietnam as key gateways into Southeast Asia.

The Association of Private Hospitals (APHM) International Healthcare Conference & Exhibition 2026 is Malaysia’s leading exhibition for the rapidly expanding private healthcare sector and one of Southeast Asia’s most comprehensive industry gatherings. Centred on the theme “From Volume to Value: Measuring What Matters in Healthcare Performance,” the 2026 event will feature more than 210 exhibitors and attract over 4,000 professional visitors.

What types of businesses should apply

This program targets NSW businesses that:

Have a compelling proposition for the Vietnam and Malaysian markets.

Have already checked the product or service fit for these markets.

Have global business experience.

This program is not suitable for aggregators, traders, or businesses who sell services to exporters.

The applicant business must meet core eligibility criteria for this stream including:

Be a Small to Medium Enterprise [employee number between 3 and 199 full-time equivalent employees].
Be a new entrant to the identified market or demonstrate a need for NSW support through the Going Global Export Program. 
Have a NSW footprint demonstrated by:
- Business headquarters in NSW (or a demonstrated footprint in NSW and business activity that benefits NSW).
- A valid Australian Business Number (ABN) registered for NSW (or business activity that demonstrates benefit to NSW).
- The product or service must be produced primarily in NSW (or a demonstrated footprint in NSW and business activity that benefits NSW and commitment to expand in NSW).
- The applicant business produces and owns their own brand (the program is not for aggregators/traders or consultants).
Have export capability and market suitability demonstrated by:
- A suitable product for export to the identified market.
- Potential to compete commercially in that market.
- Capability to grow through export activity and capacity to adapt the identified product or service for the identified new market.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions of participation in the program
- This includes to be willing to participate in all components of the training program and travel to the selected market.
- As this is a market entry program, applicants should participate in the same stream/market no more than twice.
- If applicants have participated in other Investment NSW programs they must demonstrate commitment to participation in that program, including sharing information and reporting outcomes of their participation.

Additional eligibility requirement criteria

Commitment to ensuring all products are appropriately registered for sale, supply, and use in Vietnam and Malaysia.
Please refer to the Medical Device Registration Information for Malaysia and Decree No. 98/2021/ND-CP (dated 08 November 2021) for Vietnam for relevant regulatory guidance.

Ideal product categories:

Digital health transformation – technology driven solutions that enhance healthcare delivery, outcomes and operational performance
Medtech and suppliers of medical devices, equipment, diagnostics and clinical software that diagnose, treat and monitor health patients
AI, automation and smart hospital solutions
Integrated care systems (ICS)
Sustainability and net-zero healthcare solutions
Hospital design and architecture solutions
Biopharmaceuticals, genomics and precision medicine
Other innovative solutions

Please note: Participants will be responsible for travel and accommodation costs.

About the selection process

Investment NSW will select participants through a merit-based assessment process. Where there are more applicants than places available, places on the stream will be offered to those applicants most suitable for the program and new to the program/market.

Apply Now

Applications open on Friday 30 January 2026 and close on Monday 9 March 2026.

Contact

For further information, please contact:

Gabrielle Oriel, Senior Export Adviser, Investment NSW | TradeStart Advisor, at
gabrielle.oriel@investment.nsw.gov.au