About exporting
Expand your business by exporting
Exporting can be a profitable way of expanding your business, spreading your risks and reducing your dependence on the local market.
Australian government research has shown that growth rates of output, productivity, wages and investment are consistently higher for continuous exporters. (Tuhin, R., & Swanepoel, J.A., 'Export behaviour and business performance: Evidence from Australian microdata', Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Research Paper 7/2016, January 30, 2019. Exporting exposes you to new ideas, management practices, marketing techniques, and ways of competing that you wouldn’t have experienced by staying at home. All this considerably improves your ability to compete in the domestic market as well. By going overseas, you can become more efficient and increase your productivity. Exporting companies have better growth prospects, highly skilled, highly productive staff and tend to adapt technology and best practice techniques faster.
Even if you have a limited domestic market, you should think about exporting - around a quarter of new exporters are born globals. Global brands can be built from small local companies – especially in rural and regional Australia.
This section will guide you step-by-step through exporting:
1. Getting ready
Learn the basics of exporting and get advice on the first steps in preparing your company for export.
getting ready for export
2. Export strategy
An export strategy is an essential component of your business plan. Find out how to implement a successful export strategy.
export strategy
3. Market research
Good market research entails finding out what actually drives a market – and how to get the best out of it.
market research
4. Export marketing
First impressions are important. Learn how to gain a competitive advantage by presenting well.
export marketing
5. Export pricing
The right pricing and the way you provide quotes for your goods or services are both crucial.
export pricing
6. Visiting the market
It helps to visit potential export markets for yourself. Put a plan in place to get the most from your trip.
visiting the market
7. Risk management
Learn how to develop a simple risk management plan to better protect your company's investment.
risk management
8. Financial assistance
Financial assistance and advice is available from a number of government and private sector agencies.
getting financial assistance
9. Freight and logistics
For goods exports, transporting your product to an overseas market efficiently and competitively is crucial.
freight and logistics
10. Sales leads
It is exciting is receive your first real enquiry. Learn how to convert that opportunity into real business.
sales leads
11. Agents
Most Australian firms rely on agents or distributors to represent their business in international markets.
Agents and distributors
12. Legal issues
International contracts for the sale of goods can be very complex. Get advice on legal issues pertaining to exporting.
legal issues