Are shoppers willing to pay more for Australian-made?
If Aussie shoppers are ready to spend more, why are they buying imports?
Wonder if local manufacturing is worth it? The short answer: yes!
A huge 96% of Australians say they prefer to buy locally made products, and they’re willing to pay up to 17% more for them. That’s not just warm, fuzzy patriotism. That’s intent, backed by dollars.
In this interview, “Are Aussie shoppers willing to pay more for Australian Made”, Andrew Grant and Steve Eagle share their perspectives on the gap between what shoppers say and what they actually buy.
Key Takeaways:
- Strong demand & price tolerance → 96% prefer Australian-made, willing to pay 17% more.
- Market gap → Half still buy imports because local options are hard to find.
- Branding matters → Clear “Australian Made” labels build trust and visibility.
- Local can compete → With smart sourcing, Australian production can rival or beat imports.
Aussie shoppers can’t find the products they want
But here’s the catch: almost half of those same shoppers still end up buying imports.
Not because they want to, but because they can’t find the Australian-made version in the first place.
“I’d pay more if I knew it was made here”
For buyers who genuinely want to shop local, the issue isn’t cost, it’s visibility.
They don’t know where to look, or whether the product they’re holding is made here at all.
Even businesses already selling Australian-made goods might be losing sales simply because it’s not obvious.
If the fact that it’s made locally isn’t front and centre, customers may walk right past it.
“I didn’t even realise I was buying an import”
When local options do exist, they’re often hidden under:
- Unclear packaging
- Generic branding
- Messaging that fails to mention the product’s origin
Shoppers don’t have time to play detective. If “Australian-made” isn’t clearly marked, many will assume it’s not and choose something else.
When almost everyone says they want to buy Australian-made (and will pay more to do it), this lack of clarity is a massive missed opportunity.
“I tried going local, but I hit a dead end”
The frustration isn’t just on the shopper’s side.
Many product businesses want to manufacture locally but give up after a few attempts.
They approach one or two suppliers, get hit with high quotes or no replies, and assume it’s impossible.
But local manufacturing can be competitive, if you know where to look.
With the right process, you can identify in-demand products and connect with manufacturers who can produce them at a viable price.
If you’re ready to explore local manufacturing, there’s a practical way forward.
On our free online How to Buy Australian Made workshop, led by product-sourcing expert Steve Eagle, you’ll discover how to:
- Identify products Australians are already looking for
- Get them made locally at a competitive price
- Avoid common pitfalls in sourcing
Steve Eagle
Steve Eagle is a product sourcing expert who’s managed over $1.8 billion in projects, helping businesses connect with trusted Australian manufacturers.