How to source Australian-made products without paying more
Is it really more expensive to source Australian Made products?
What if local manufacturing costs less than you think?
Is Australian Made always more expensive? Not necessarily. In this video, we show you how to source Australian Made products without paying more, and why local sourcing can often reduce costs instead of increasing them.
Achieve 30-50% Savings on Australian Manufacturing by Avoiding the ‘Quote-First’ Mistake.
Key Takeaways:
- Core mistake → Asking for a quote immediately “evaporate[s] all the leverage” you have with the manufacturer
- Focus shift → Price is merely a symptom of work done; focus must be on creating deep value and a high-quality product
- Preparation key → You must comprehend the five elements of manufacturing cost (labor rates, cycle times/machinery, raw materials, purchase parts) to negotiate effectively
- Proven result → Using this systematic approach regularly yields 30% to 50% cheaper prices on quotations, often predicting the final price within 2% to 5% accuracy
You've heard it a hundred times: "It's too expensive to manufacture in Australia." But is that actually true?
If you’ve ever looked into making your product in Australia, you’ve probably hit the same wall most business owners do: the assumption that local manufacturing is just too expensive to be viable.
It’s a common belief ! That producing overseas is the only way to stay competitive. That it’s too difficult to compete with cheaper imports from places like China or Vietnam.
- But what if that belief isn’t entirely accurate?
- What if the real numbers told a different story?
Let’s look at the emotional and practical hurdles behind sourcing locally and why so many of them are based on outdated ideas.
"I can't afford to pay Aussie wages and still make a profit"
This is one of the biggest fears, especially for small businesses.
But here’s a reality check: Australian wages don’t drive costs the way you think. In fact, labour makes up only about 13% of the total cost of a locally made product.
Why? Because Australian manufacturers rely heavily on automation, meaning fewer people are needed per unit produced.
In many cases, once you account for hidden import costs and time delays, local manufacturing is not only competitive, it can actually be cheaper.
"Even if I could afford it, will customers really pay more?"
Yes, and they already are. A recent Roy Morgan poll showed that 96% of Australians prefer locally made products, and many are willing to pay up to 17% more to support local businesses.
And here’s something often overlooked: importing products can add up to 35% in extra costs once you factor in shipping, duties, and warehousing delays.
So even if the sticker price is lower overseas, the final cost to your business, and to your customer, might not be.
"I wouldn't even know where to start with local manufacturing"
It’s one thing to believe local is possible, it’s another to figure out how to do it.
Many businesses hit a dead end here. They don’t have a trusted manufacturer, they’re unsure how to approach suppliers, and they’ve heard horror stories about blown-out costs and missed deadlines.
The truth is, sourcing Australian-made only works when you have a system, a step-by-step process that helps you price correctly, ask the right questions, and avoid common traps.
✅ Get the guidance you need at our free How To Buy Australian Made workshop
That’s exactly what our free, 3-day online event How to Buy Australian Made is designed to do.
Hosted by sourcing expert Steve Eagle, who’s managed over $1.8 billion in product development, this workshop gives you the practical tools to:
Break down actual costs of local vs overseas sourcing
Understand when and how Australian-made can be more profitable
Connect with local manufacturers that are a genuine fit
Build a sourcing system that saves time and money
Join us for How to Source Australian-Made Products. A no-pressure, info-packed workshop. Start making informed decisions about your business and products without the guesswork.
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