An Export Barometer 2017 study surveyed 567 Australian exporters in June this year, and noticed increased optimism and confidence within exporters. Of the exporters surveyed, 67% expect an increase in sales over the next 12 months, just 2% below the peaks seen in 2007 and 2010. Aussie exporters have reported a 56% increase in orders over the past 12 months, which is the highest percentage in more than six years.

A representative noted that we're seeing innovative businesses gain significant traction on the global scale, due to easy access to larger international markets via e-commerce and online channels. In particular, a rise in the number of new exporters who have been exporting for less than five years currently make up around one-third of the Australian exporter population.

Optimism in exporting has numerous positive flow on effects for Australian businesses and the economy overall, including increased revenue and more job prospects - with 51% of exporters surveyed indicating they would employ more staff in 2018, and 63% of exporters expected to increase workers’ wages.

According to the survey results, Australian exporters target markets appear to be traditional English-speaking destinations. New Zealand ranked the highest with one in four naming it their largest export market, followed by North America, Europe and the UK. In North East Asia, China and Hong Kong are first and second respectively over Japan and South Korea. Other potential markets which exporters will focus on in the following months are South East Asia and Asia Pacific region.