Getting started in export

Are you thinking of exporting? If your company has a product or service that's competitive in Australia and has the capacity to meet the demands of an export market, it's possible that your business is export-ready and exporting is the next step to grow your business.

The department provides information, advice and support to businesses thinking about exporting. If you think your business has export potential, use the following checklist and guide to determine if your business is export ready. This information is also available as a PDF document: Assessing your export readiness.

About your product or service

• Is your product or service already available or selling in the Australian market?
• Do you have the expertise to promote your product or service in your target market?
• Is your product acceptable to your target market in its present form or do you still need to modify it (e.g. electrical current, labels)?
• Does your product take into account religious and cultural considerations and foreign language requirements in your target market?
• Does your product meet government regulations and safety standards in your target market?
• Have you considered the suitability of your product in your target market’s climate?

About your company

• Do you have an “export champion” in your company (e.g. a senior manager willing to take the lead on exporting your product)?
• Does your company have a good track record of meeting production/delivery deadlines?
• Does your company have a proven track record competing in the Australian market?
• Is management prepared to make a long-term commitment to sustain the company’s export efforts?

About your target market

• Have you done any market research to determine if your product/service is unique or has a competitive advantage in your target market?
• Have you conducted background research on your potential target market on:
  • The potential market size
  • The local economic conditions
  • The likelihood of product acceptance, price competitiveness and strength of competition.
• Have you conducted market research on your potential target market’s:
  • Government regulations and safety standards
  • Religious and cultural practices and sensitivities
  • Customs requirements and quarantine restrictions
  • Trading preferences, payment terms and quotas
• Have you engaged the services of a sales agent or distributor or partnered with a company within your target market?
• Have you hired a freight forwarder or customs broker?

About your production

• Do you have surplus production capacity or available specialists to meet increased demand for your product or service?
• If applicable, do you have enough raw materials or are they readily available?
• Do you have enough trained staff to handle the increased production?

About your financing

• If required, do you have the finances to adapt your product or service to suit your target market?
• Does your company have the finance to fund the export operations?
• Does your company have the marketing budget and expertise to promote your product or service in your target market?

You can also talk to one of our export advisors in your area.

Source: Business Victoria and Export Development Canada