Australia is an amazing place for a vacation – natural attractions like the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru, vibrant cities like Sydney and Melbourne and wonderful wildlife combine to create a truly unique experience for any adventurer.
But don’t forget that it’s also a brilliant place to do business. Statistics from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and trade confirm that foreign economies had a total of $3.5 trillion invested in Australia at the end of 2018 and the UK and US were the biggest contributors, accounting for 43.1 per cent of the market total between them.
In terms of the sectors which attract foreign funds, mining and quarrying makes up the lion’s share, with 37.8 per cent of the total, but other popular areas of interest include financial and insurance, manufacturing, real estate and retail trade.
So if you’re tempted to dip your toes into Aussie enterprise there are plenty of eclectic opportunities, but you might need some savvy advice on smoothing the process.
With that in mind, here are five tips for doing business Down Under.
- Sort Your Business Visa
As you might expect, if you’re not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you’ll need to secure the appropriate visa in order to set up a legitimate business in Australia.
There are several eligibility criteria to meet if you either want a business innovation and investment visa, or a business talent visa, so check out official Australian visa advice at business.gov.au to be sure.
- Contact The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Before and after taking the plunge and investing in a startup Down Under, chatting to experts at Australianchamber.com.au is a smart move.
Its members may have already established a footprint in your potential sector and territory, therefore their valuable advice can help optimise your positioning.
- Hire A Car
Most Australian states allow international drivers to drive a vehicle if heir license is valid for three months and having the use of your own vehicle during business fact-finding missions is advantageous – it offers the flexibility, accessibility and independence necessary to make connections quickly.
For instance, if your business takes you to Sydney, finding a Sydney car rental can be particularly advantageous. Sydney is a sprawling city, and having your own vehicle allows you to explore business opportunities across various districts and surrounding areas without being tied to a specific schedule. Companies like Apex Rentals offer options that cater to international visitors, with outlets across the country, making it easier to find a vehicle that suits your needs wherever your business travels take you.
- Find cheap flights
There’s a good chance that Australia is reasonably far from your home base, meaning getting there will involve a long flight that can cost a pretty penny. And further, the vastness of the terrain means that you might need to book domestic flights to keep appointments once you get there.
Kill two business travel birds with one stone by visiting skyscanner.com.au for the cheapest flights.
- Arrange airport parking
While it’s possible to reach Aussie airports via public transport, getting there in your own ride can leave you feeling calmer and ensure your power suit is less crumpled.
You can book safe airport parking at Looking4.com for Cairns, Adelaide and practically anywhere else.
That’s our list! But please share your own Australian business tips in the comments section.
