New to Exporting
There are many advantages to exporting including increased sales and profits, increasing your domestic competitiveness and reducing your dependence on the Australian market and seasonal fluctuations. However there are also disadvantages to consider including the need to manage additional risk, prepare new promotional material, having to wait longer for payments, and the additional resources and finance required to successfully export your goods or services.
How can we help you?
The State Government, through the Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR), actively assists Western Australian businesses and investors to capitalise on international business opportunities.
The support provided to WA businesses and investors includes direct access to global export markets through professionals located in the Western Australian Global Network.
The services provided through WA Global Network are funded by the WA Government and free for companies registered in WA, who are marketing goods or services from WA.
The WA Global Network is your first point of contact for expert advice and assistance on exporting and can also provides general export advice and information about:
- Export markets and opportunities
- Western Australia's international relationships
- Government assistance
- Export related training and courses.
Are You Export Ready?
Exporting can be a profitable way of expanding your business and spreading your risks in a number of countries. However, it should not be entered into lightly as the penalties for failure can be high. Thinking about your readiness to export is a way of identifying key success factors and helping your planning:
- Commitment and resources: Developing export markets can be costly in terms of time, money and resources . It is recommended you take a long-term view and be prepared to be persistent and patient while you wait for returns. Consider how many resources and how long it takes to break into a new regional area in Australia. This can be multiplied several times when you are looking at an overseas country.
- Product/service: Your product or service needs to be able to meet and better international competition. Price may not always be the deciding factor. Market niches can sometimes be won on superior quality. You may need to change product design or service offering to suit different industry needs. Product/service literature should preferably be to international standards and be tailored to overseas requirements.
- Marketing: A strong grasp of marketing is vital in exporting. Does your company have solid marketing knowledge and experience gained by successful selling in a number of Australian states? If your product/service has had limited exposure in Australia it could be more cost-effective to expand at home before tackling new export markets.
- Management: Exporting will require considerable management time and can be a major distraction from the domestic business. Does your company have the available management capacity, which will be required to develop and service exports? Is it necessary to strengthen the management team to service overseas exports properly?
- Supply capacity: If you obtain export orders they must be filled correctly and promptly. Does your company have the supply capacity to develop export distribution? Can the existing capacity be expanded quickly when required? Your product, service or technology might be more suited to a licensing arrangement.
- Finance: Breaking into any new export area requires considerable funds (airfares, accommodation, advertising, sales promotion, new brochures, training of overseas sales agents, setting up of joint servicing offices offshore, etc). Does your company have the financial strength to commit, say A$40,000 for the year or more it may take to develop a new overseas market?
- Research capability: Accessing information and making the right decision about which country to enter first when you are convinced you are ready is important. DoIR can help you in this process.
If you are not ready to export, there are a number of ways in which you can improve your business. The Business and Industry section of this website contains information to assist Western Australians grow their businesses.
If you are export ready, the export guide section of this website provides exporting advice, including market research, preparing a marketing plan, financial assistance and more.
Once you have explored the information provided on this website contact the WA Global Network, Perth Office where our Market Development Specialists are available to provide expert advice, assistance and access to global markets.
