This Fact Sheet talks about exporting and what you should do before you begin exporting.
Yarning with Indigenous women in business
Sharon Williams, Owner and Managing Director, Thulli Dreaming
We don’t export in bulk at the moment - we have a few international customers that purchase bits here and there, but we have plans to develop that into a bigger customer base and export products.
Introduction
Many businesses that do well in Australia can successfully export to other countries. However, you need to first learn how foreign markets function, how your business can adjust to this environment and what rules apply to trade overseas.
Why
For many Australian businesses, the opportunities the Australian domestic market offers them are limited. Exporting overseas to new markets often allows their business to expand and increase their profits.
How
If your business is going to export then you will need to have the financial resources and the capacity to fund it. You should talk to your banker or accountant and make sure that your business has the capacity to finance its expansion into exporting.
Before starting out it is best to identify a key export adviser and then work with them to access data from an array of additional sources. Assistance is available from Austrade, which is the Australian Government's export promotion agency. The state and territory governments also offer export services.
Information about steps to begin exporting is available on the Austrade website.
What
Products that can be exported include goods, services and intellectual property. A product does not need to physically leave Australia for it to be considered an export, as long as it earns foreign currency. An example is in-bound tourism.
Useful resources
Australian Government
- Austrade (www.austrade.gov.au)
- AusIndustry - Export entry point (www.ausindustry.gov.au)
A site operated by the Australian Government supplying information and assistance to first time exporters.
- Business.gov.au (www.business.gov.au)
A good portal for state and territory government export agencies.
- IP Australia (www.ipaustralia.gov.au)
Information on protecting your intellectual property.
New South Wales
- NSW Business Chambers (www.nswbusinesschamber.com.au)
Offers a range of services for its members and their website has some useful tips.
- The NSW Enterprise Workshop (www.enterpriseworkshop.com.au)
Offers courses in international business.
- NSW Small Business (www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au)
NSW has a similar guide at and refers you to the NSW Export Network, where you can learn from other companies.
- The State Chamber of Commerce (NSW) (www.thechamber.com.au)
Produces a Trade Handbook (also in CD ROM) which is a reference guide for companies starting off in international trade.
Queensland
Tasmania
Victoria
- VicExport (www.export.vic.gov.au)
An excellent site for learning export basics, with a downloadable export handbook.
Western Australia
WA Small Business Development Corporation (www.exporters.sbdc.com.au)
Operates a Small Business Exporters Network, which has good material on the basics of export.
Non Government
- Australian Industry Group (www.aigroup.asn.au)
Provides valuable exporter services.
- The Australian Institute of Export (www.aiex.com.au)
This is a great starting point for courses and publications.
- Export61 (www.export61.com)
An Australian e-commerce site for Australian exporters. It contains some useful articles and many links for advice about exporting. The links to government agencies and chambers of commerce are excellent
International
- International Trade Centre (www.intracen.org)
Operated by the UN and WTO. The site has a lot of free and low cost data on international trade.