Small is still beautiful…when it comes to exporting, that is - That’s the word from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, who estimate that almost 90 per cent of Australian exporters are either small or medium sized enterprises.

This confirms previous research by the Bureau which showed SMEs to be the ‘engine room’ of the Australian exporter community in terms of growth potential.  

In fact, according to new research by Austrade and Sensis, Australian SMEs are now becoming a regular part of the exporter community. According to Austrade/Sensis, around 15 per cent of SMEs now export which is up 2 per cent on the same period last year despite the strength of the Australian dollar. In fact, this percentage has remained pretty stable - within the 12 to 16 per cent range - over the past couple of years. The bottom line is that you will find Australian export potential in the grass roots of Australian business in the suburbs and in regional Australia as well as amongst the blue-chip corporates at the top end of town.

So who are our small players? Where do they live, what do they do and where do they sell to? First, let’s look at location, location, location. Despite the impact of the resources boom, with the boom export states of WA and Queensland charging ahead, on the SME side it is the manufacturing and services heartland of Victoria that leads the way on 19 per cent. In terms other states and territories, 15 per cent of exporters in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory export, with 14 per cent in the Northern Territory (the Top End always performs well in these polls), 13 per cent in Western Australia, 11 per cent in South Australia, 10 per cent in Queensland and 9 per cent in Tasmania. Second, what about industry? Wholesale trade leads the way with 37 per cent of all its SMEs involved in exporting.