For further information on the Software industry in Australia, please contact Commercial Specialist Duncan Archibald, U.S. Commercial Service Sydney on Tel: (+61-2) 9373-9212, Fax: (+61-2) 9221-0573, Email: duncan.archibald@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

Overview

The local IT market is mature and sophisticated. End-users, whether corporate, public, or retail, are early adopters of cutting-edge technology products. U.S. companies dominate the local market. In 2007, U.S. software accounted for 44 percent of software imports.

Import growth from the United States will slow to four percent over the next two years as a result of the world economic crisis. Retail sales have slowed considerably over the last few months. At the corporate level, we expect companies to defer purchases of non-essential items until they have an idea to the extent of the downturn. The IT security sub-sector of the software market has sustained double-digit growth for several years. Spending on IT security solutions to protect critical infrastructure will not decrease significantly in the short to medium term.

Local integrators, resellers, and distributors are experienced in partnering with U.S. software companies.

Best Products/Services

Software As a Service (SaaS) offers a new market model for customers who can opt to pay a monthly subscription fee for solutions, avoiding the need for up-front capital expenditure. SaaS makes many enterprise-level applications more affordable for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and, consequently, SaaS delivery platforms are gaining market share in SMEs.

Other solutions in demand include: voice messaging (including VoIP applications), security, workflow document management, asset management, corporate governance compliance (Basel and ITIL), data cleansing, and quality tools.

Opportunities

In Australia, Federal and state governments purchase over 75 percent of all software. To sell to government agencies, it is important for U.S. firms to partner with a local firm certified to sell to the government and familiar with Australia’s federal and state tendering processes.

Local ISPs now offer viable, robust VoIP solutions to consumers. With more than 5.4 million broadband subscribers, U.S. developers of VoIP solutions will find opportunities in the local market.

IT security solutions are also in demand. Governments and companies are allocating more of their IT budgets to ensure their digital assets are secure due to the dynamic nature of attacks to networks, email systems, and websites. Data sensitive government agencies, like the Department of Defense and Centrelink (welfare agency), mandate high levels of digital security.

Trade Events

CeBIT Australia 2009
Date: May 12 – 14
Location: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
Website: http://www.cebit.com.au

The U.S. Commercial Service will organize a U.S. Pavilion in CeBIT Australia 2009 to provide a cost-effective platform for American companies to introduce their products and technology. We encourage companies new to the Australian market, as well as those with established distributor relationships, to participate. For further details about CeBIT and other events in Australia, please visit our website at: http://www.buyusa.gov/australia/en/eventsinoz.html.

AusCERT Asia Pacific Information Security Conference 2009
Date: May 17-22, 2009
Location: Crowne Plaza, Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast
Email: auscert@auscert.org.au
Web: http://conference.auscert.org.au/