First steps in export
This guide provides advice on the first steps in preparing your company for export. It deals with learning the basics of exports, how to proceed, and who to contact for help.
Learning the basics
Successful exporters are adaptable, well-organised and committed to growing their business internationally. Companies that do well at home can generally export. You first need to learn how foreign markets operate and how your company can adapt to this environment. International business also has a language that is somewhat different from domestic sales.
Learning new terms and concepts is essential – but not difficult. There are many people to help you on the export journey. See below for a list of useful export-related websites.
What does export mean to my business?
Exporting will provide your company with prospects for growth in profits and competitiveness. The Australian market is open to international forces so if you are successful in Australia there is a good chance your product or service will meet international competition.
Developing a new market anywhere (interstate or overseas) requires an investment of time and resources. You need to be sure at the start that export will benefit your company.
Any new business strategy requires commitment – and none more so than exporting. You need to have all your staff signed on to the company's export success.
List your major concerns and address them with an Austrade/TradeStart Export Adviser.
Talk to your banker and accountant early
Exporting requires financial resources and the capacity to fund market development. Make sure your business has the capacity to finance its expansion into export activity. A basic export strategy will provide you with an indication of the budget you will require in the early years when you are building your export business.
Who can help me?
Assistance is available from a variety of agencies. Austrade is the Australian Government's export promotion agency and offers many services for new exporters. State and territory governments also offer export services, as do business associations and chambers of commerce such as ABL, Australian Industry Group and ACCI. When starting out it is best to identify a key export adviser and work with them to access data from a range of other sources. For further information, please read the Government Export Agencies brochure – A guide to Australian government support.
Attend workshops
Workshops for new exporters are an excellent way to learn the basics of exporting. Importantly, they provide you with exposure to companies like your own – and you can learn from similar experiences. Take your staff to these events too. Export is not a one-person activity in the company. Everyone needs to be involved.
Check out the competition
Check out what your competitors are doing in export – including your foreign competitors who are also operating in Australia. Do some comparative checks on your capacity to compete, referencing your experience in the Australian market. Export can help your bottom line – and make you more competitive at home as well.
Alternative approaches
If you feel you don't have the resources or expertise to begin exporting in your own right there are other options to get you started:
- Support for potential exporters is available through Austrade and partner organisations throughout Australia and Austrade’s overseas network. To join the program, call one of our export advisors on 13 28 78.
- Use the services of an export merchant who will be an experienced international trader prepared to buy from you and sell overseas.
- Sell through an export agent who will do the overseas marketing for you on a commission or retainer basis. This method exposes you to risks such as non-payment, which will need to be managed.
- Another alternative is to use an export consultant to develop one or two markets before handing marketing responsibility back to your company after a specified period.
For more information, please call 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au.
An Export Adviser can help you build and consolidate your export know-how.
Next step: Online Training module | Registered users only
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For a more detailed look at the fundamentals of getting into export, sign up for our Getting into Export training module.
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