Setting up an Export Business - DJ Grigg Financial

Striking Export Gold: How to Start an Export Business in Australia

Reviewed and updated: August 2026

Taking your Australian business into an international market can uncover a valuable new seam of customers and revenue. However, successful exporting requires more than a good product and an overseas buyer.

You need to understand Australian export requirements, GST, customs documentation, foreign taxes, payment risks and the laws of your destination market. Careful planning can help you pursue international growth without exposing your business to avoidable costs or compliance problems.

Key Takeaways

Check whether your goods, software, technology or services need an export permit.

Most exports must be reported to the Australian Border Force using an Export Declaration or exemption code.

Australian exports may be GST-free, but only when specific ATO requirements are met.

Free trade agreement benefits are not automatic. Rules of origin and supporting documents may apply.

Protect your intellectual property before entering an overseas market.

Plan for foreign taxes, currency movements, payment risk, insurance and importing-country laws.

Use Austrade’s Go Global Toolkit to assess your export readiness and research overseas markets.

What is involved in setting up an export business in Australia?

To start exporting from Australia, a business should:

Assess whether it is financially and operationally ready.
Research the target country and potential customers.
Prepare an export business plan.
Check Australian export controls and permit requirements.
Confirm the importing country’s customs and product requirements.
Understand Australian GST and possible foreign tax obligations.
Decide how goods will be delivered and who will pay duties and taxes.
Protect intellectual property.
Establish secure payment and foreign currency processes.
Conduct due diligence on buyers, distributors and other overseas partners.

Like prospecting for gold, exporting can be rewarding—but it pays to survey the ground before committing your resources.

Start with an export business plan

An export business plan provides a practical roadmap for entering an international market. It also helps employees, lenders, investors and advisers understand what the business wants to achieve and how it intends to manage the risks.

Your export plan should explain:

why the chosen country represents a suitable market
which products or services you intend to export
who your ideal overseas customers are
how you will enter the market
whether you will sell directly or use an agent, distributor or marketplace
how your international supply chain will operate
how you will price your product
expected freight, insurance, tariff and compliance costs
how you will fund production, marketing and longer payment cycles
your sales, cash flow and profit targets
how you will manage currency and payment risk
what success will look like during the first 12 to 24 months.

Your pricing model should account for the product’s full landed cost. This may include packaging, freight, insurance, customs clearance, tariffs, local taxes, distributor margins, commissions, currency conversion and returns.

Austrade’s Go Global Toolkit provides export guides, market information and tools to help Australian businesses assess their export readiness.

Check Australian export declarations and permit requirements

Not every product requires an export licence. However, all exporters need to determine whether their goods or services are controlled and how they must be reported.

The Australian Border Force states:

“All goods being exported from Australia must be reported to the Australian Border Force using either an Export Declaration, or exemption code.”

An Export Declaration is generally required when goods:

are valued at more than AUD2,000
require an export permit, regardless of value
are subject to a duty drawback claim
are dutiable or excisable goods on which duty remains unpaid.

Some lower-value consignments are exempt from a full Export Declaration. However, an exemption code may still need to be used.

Export declarations can be lodged through the Integrated Cargo System or handled by a customs broker or freight agent. Australian Border Force recommends considering professional assistance with export entries and clearance formalities.

Do you need an Australian export permit?

Whether you require a permit can depend on:

the nature of the goods, software, technology or services
the destination country
the overseas recipient and ultimate end user
the intended use
Australian sanctions
industry-specific controls.

For example, Defence Export Controls administers permits for certain military and dual-use goods, software and technology on the Defence and Strategic Goods List.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry regulates exports of prescribed agricultural products. These can include meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, plants, wood and certain organic products.

Permission to export goods from Australia does not automatically mean the goods may enter the destination country. Check the importing country’s permits, product standards, certification, packaging, labelling and biosecurity requirements before accepting an order.

Screen overseas customers and partners for sanctions

Australian sanctions may prohibit or restrict dealings with certain countries, people, businesses, vessels and activities.

DFAT maintains a Consolidated List of people and entities subject to Australian sanctions. The list is regularly updated, so screening should occur before entering an agreement and again before completing a transaction.

Exporters should verify:

the customer’s legal identity
beneficial ownership
the end user of the goods
the intended end use
agents and intermediaries
banks and payment channels
shipping vessels where relevant.

If a possible sanctions match is identified, obtain legal advice before proceeding.

Understand free trade agreements and rules of origin

A free trade agreement, or FTA, may reduce tariffs and improve access to an overseas market. However, tariff concessions are not automatic.

To claim an FTA preference, an exporter may need to:

Identify the correct Harmonised System—or HS—classification.
Check the standard and preferential tariff rates.
Confirm that the goods satisfy the applicable rules of origin.
Prepare a certificate or declaration of origin.
Retain evidence supporting the origin claim.

An FTA does not remove Australian export controls or the destination country’s customs and product requirements.

DFAT provides an FTA Portal that allows exporters to investigate tariffs, rules of origin and documentation requirements.

Are Australian exports GST-free?

Exports of goods and services from Australia are generally GST-free when the relevant requirements are satisfied. This means an eligible exporter does not charge GST on the export sale but may still claim GST credits on eligible business purchases.

For exported goods, GST-free treatment commonly depends on the goods being exported within 60 days of the earlier of:

receiving payment
issuing an invoice.

Different rules, exceptions and possible extensions can apply. Businesses should retain evidence that the goods left Australia, including commercial invoices, freight records, tracking information, airway bills, bills of lading and customs documents.

Exported services may also be GST-free, but an overseas customer’s address alone does not decide the treatment. The result can depend on where the customer is located when the service is performed, who receives the service and whether it relates to Australian property or activities.

Obtain advice before treating a transaction as GST-free. Charging GST incorrectly can make your price uncompetitive, while failing to charge GST when required can leave the business paying the tax from its own funds.

Check overseas VAT, GST and income tax

VAT and GST are broad-based consumption taxes applied to goods and services. They are not limited to “non-essential goods”.

According to the OECD:

“As of 1 July 2024, 175 countries and territories in the world had implemented a VAT.”

Every country has its own registration thresholds, rates, exemptions and reporting rules. Responsibility for import VAT, customs duties and clearance can also depend on the contract and agreed Incoterm.

Australian exporters must consider more than consumption taxes. Sustained operations overseas may create a taxable presence, often referred to as a permanent establishment. This may arise through premises, employees, agents or other business activities in the foreign country.

Possible obligations include:

foreign income tax
withholding tax
payroll and employment taxes
local tax returns
transfer-pricing documentation
Australian reporting of foreign business income.

Australia’s tax treaties may affect where income is taxed and whether relief from double taxation is available.

Source: ATO – Doing business overseas

Foreign tax advice may be needed before establishing employees, stock, an office or a warehouse overseas.

Manage foreign currency carefully

Multi-currency accounting software can make it easier to manage foreign invoices, bank balances and exchange movements. However, it is not compulsory for every exporter.

The appropriate system will depend on:

transaction volume
the number of currencies used
whether the business holds foreign currency
the complexity of overseas expenses
reporting and forecasting requirements.

Foreign currency movements can produce taxable gains or deductible losses. Your accounting process should capture the Australian-dollar value of each transaction and any exchange difference arising before payment.

Consider whether to invoice in Australian dollars or the customer’s currency. Quoting in the customer’s currency may help sales, but it transfers more exchange-rate risk to your business.

Choose a secure international payment method

You do not necessarily need a separate bank account for every currency. Depending on your market and customers, you could use:

an Australian bank
a foreign-currency account
a multi-currency account
an international payment provider
an ecommerce payment gateway
a letter of credit
documentary collection
payment in advance.

Compare the complete cost rather than relying on an advertised exchange rate. Check currency margins, transaction fees, receiving fees, transfer limits, settlement time and protections if something goes wrong.

Money transfer providers operating in Australia should be registered with AUSTRAC.

For higher-value contracts, consider customer credit checks, deposits, milestone payments, trade credit insurance or export payment insurance. Export Finance Australia may provide eligible businesses with loans, guarantees, bonds and certain insurance solutions.

Protect your intellectual property before launching

Australian trade mark, patent and design registrations do not automatically protect your business in every country.

IP Australia advises:

“To secure protection, you’ll need to apply for intellectual property rights in your target country according to their requirements.”

Before promoting your brand or disclosing valuable technology, consider:

searching for conflicting overseas rights
registering your trade mark in priority markets
protecting designs or inventions
securing ownership of website domains
using confidentiality agreements
including clear IP clauses in agency and distribution contracts.

Your intellectual property may be one of the richest seams in your business. Protect it before exposing it to a new market.

Adapt your marketing to the local market

International marketing involves more than translating your Australian material.

Research:

local customer needs and buying behaviour
competitors and market pricing
cultural and religious considerations
language and imagery
advertising restrictions
product claims
privacy and data laws
consumer guarantees
returns and warranty requirements
packaging and labelling standards.

Testing your messaging with local advisers or a small customer group can help identify problems before a major launch.

Investigate export assistance and grants

Austrade provides market insights, export tools and adviser support for eligible Australian businesses. TradeStart advisers may also help businesses assess export opportunities and connect with overseas markets.

The Export Market Development Grants program may provide matched funding for eligible export-promotion activities. Grant amounts, application rounds and eligibility rules change, so businesses should check the current requirements before including a grant in their budget.

Turn your international opportunity into sustainable growth

Exporting can open a golden pathway to new customers, stronger revenue and a more diversified business. But international growth should rest on solid financial and compliance foundations.

Before making your first overseas sale, understand your costs, cash flow, Australian tax position, foreign currency exposure and record-keeping obligations.

DJ Grigg Financial can help you assess the financial side of your export plan, establish suitable accounting processes and understand the Australian tax implications of selling overseas. Where foreign tax or legal advice is required, we can help you identify the issues that should be discussed with an adviser in the relevant country.

Ready to explore an overseas market? Contact DJ Grigg Financial to make sure your export strategy is built on more than a golden opportunity—it is built on sound financial foundations.

This article provides general information only. Export controls, sanctions, tax laws, grants and overseas market requirements can change. Obtain advice based on your products, destination and circumstances before proceeding.