Team Canada Trade Mission to Australia
On this page
- Event details
- Program (in development)
- Who is eligible to participate?
- Why Australia?
- Opportunities for Canadian companies in Australia
- Travel considerations and expenses
- Submit your application
- Resources
- Contact us
Event details
As part of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission (TCTM) to Australia. The trade mission will help Canadian exporters and innovators from across the country position themselves in this market by showcasing their capabilities and competitiveness while facilitating long-term trade and investment opportunities.
Dates: Sunday, February 16 to Friday, February 21, 2025
Market: Core programming in Sydney from February 16 to 19 and additional priority sector programming in Brisbane and Melbourne on February 20 and 21, for those selected for the business to business (B2B) program.
Priority sectors: While the trade mission is open to companies and organizations from all sectors, the trade mission program will highlight areas of Canadian competitive advantage, with a particular focus on the following priority sectors:
- agri-food and agricultural technologies
- clean technologies and clean energy
- mining equipment technology and services
- information and communications technologies (with a focus on digital infrastructure and smart cities)
The B2B program stream (which includes pre-arranged business to business meetings) will primarily be available to eligible SMEs that operate in these priority sectors.
Following the core trade mission program in Sydney, additional priority sector programming (in Brisbane or Melbourne depending on the sector) will be developed for companies selected in the B2B stream.
Format: In-market
Registration deadline: November 15, 2024, 17:00 E.T.
Please see eligibility requirements below.
Program (in development)
The trade mission will include programming such as:
- networking opportunities with Minister Ng and Australian business leaders
- on-site business briefings by our Trade Commissioners, senior officials and key local industry players
- market overviews and/or roundtables with local industry and experts
- pre-arranged business to business meetings (only applicable to companies selected for the B2B program stream)
Given the large size and the broad scope of Team Canada delegations, accepted applicants will be placed into one of the following program streams:
- General program provides delegates with market intelligence and networking opportunities through briefings and various networking events. This program stream does not include business to business meetings.
Representatives from provinces, territories, municipalities, trade portfolio partners, chambers of commerce, trade associations and companies that are already well-established in the target market will be primarily considered for the General program stream.
- Business to Business (B2B) program, which includes the General program as well as a tailored program of pre-arranged B2B meetings, will primarily be offered to a select number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within the priority sectors (refer to event details).
Who is eligible to participate?
Team Canada Trade Missions welcome:
- export-ready Canadian companies of all sizes, including exporters from diverse backgrounds, with strong potential to address opportunities in Australia and generate tangible business outcomes; and,
- provinces and territories, municipalities and other Canadian organizations, such as trade associations and chambers of commerce, looking to expand their reach and engagement in the Australian market.
Priority will be given to companies and organizations that:
- operate in the priority sectors (refer to event details);
- have strong potential to address opportunities in Australia and generate tangible business outcomes; and/or,
- identify as being owned or led by entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
Eligibility criteria for Canadian companies
To be considered for the trade mission, applicants must clearly demonstrate the following criteria:
- be export-ready and have demonstrated potential to succeed in the Australian market
- have a commercialized product or service or one close to commercialization
- be able to demonstrate that the products and/or services they seek to promote through the trade mission will result in significant economic benefit for Canada (e.g. increased production in Canada, employment creation, technology transfer, increased R&D activity, etc.)
- have conducted research on foreign markets and opportunities, especially preparatory work for the Australian market
- have a realistic and credible international business plan
- have allocated resources (human, material, time and financial) toward internationalization
Each application will undergo an extensive assessment process to determine the most suitable stream for the organization. Please note that firms providing services to Canadian organizations, including visa or immigration services, or facilitating business establishment in Canada are deemed out of scope for this trade mission, as they do not align with the trade mission's objectives and program.
The B2B program stream will primarily be offered to a select number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within the priority sectors. Assessment for this program stream will be based on:
- the SME's level of export and market readiness;
- local demand for the SME's product/service; and
- degree of sector-specific opportunities in the local market.
The General program stream may be offered to companies that:
- do not meet export and market readiness criteria because they are at an exploratory stage of doing business in the Australian market, or
- are already well-established in the target market. Examples of well-established companies include those that have an existing robust and successful relationship, either through a local office or with a local sales representative or distributor.
Note that the General program does not include pre-arranged business meetings.
Please ensure your application includes all relevant and detailed information. Due to the high volume of applications received, evaluation will be based solely on the information provided. We are unable to follow-up in cases of incomplete information.
Interested in the Australian market, but unsure whether you are ready for this opportunity?
Eligibility criteria for other organizations
To be considered for the General program stream, applicants must clearly demonstrate the following criteria:
- have an interest in the trade mission's priority sectors
- have potential to contribute to fostering partnerships, knowledge exchange or economic development
- be able to bring demonstrated value to the trade mission in terms of expertise, resources or collaboration opportunities
Why Australia?
Australia, the world's 13th-largest economy, is a key market for Canadian businesses and an ideal destination for a Team Canada Trade Mission. Between 2019 and 2024, Australia's economy will have grown by 29%, with a nominal GDP reaching C$2.4 trillion in 2023. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that Australia's economic growth will continue to outpace other advanced economies over the next five years.
Canada and Australia share strong and diverse bilateral and commercial relations. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which came into force in 2018, has further strengthened trade ties, leading to an 8.2% annual growth in bilateral merchandise trade from 2018 to 2023.
Opportunities for Canadian companies in Australia
Agri-food and agricultural technology
As demand in the Indo-Pacific markets surges, Australian agricultural farmers are increasingly seeking advanced technologies to boost productivity and efficiency. This growing need for innovation presents a prime opportunity for Canadian businesses to supply cutting-edge agricultural solutions and equipment.
At the same time, Australia's imports of food and beverages continue to grow over the past decade and reached $22.8 billion last year. Sustainability and food safety are top priorities in Australia's food sector.
Key opportunities in Australia's agri-food sector reside in products with a point of difference such as:
- Snacking foods around healthier options;
- Food with added functionality or additional health benefits;
- Condiments, sauces, and convenience foods;
- Frozen baked foods;
- Frozen fruits and vegetables;
- Traditional or value-added seafood.
In the agricultural technology sector, key opportunities can be found in:
- Autonomous Vehicles and No-Till tech and equipment;
- Protected Cropping and Controlled Environment Agriculture;
- Post-Harvest Technology and Cold Chain Innovations;
- Digital and Remote Monitoring Solutions;
- Technologies that support sustainability principles.
Clean technologies and clean energy
Australia's commitment to ambitious emissions-reduction targets - 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050 - coupled with its vast renewable energy resources, offer opportunities for Canadian businesses in:
- Electricity grid solutions
- Renewables and storage
- Future fuel technologies
- Decarbonisation of industrial processes
Electricity grid solutions: Changes to power system design, operation and management are urgently required as Australia is experiencing one of the fastest power system transformations on the planet.
Renewables and storage: Renewable energy provided 39.4% of Australia's total energy generation in 2023 with strong build out of utility scale and rooftop solar, utility scale wind and large grid scale batteries. There are opportunities for long duration storage solutions and to clean and maintain these assets to optimize power generation.
Future fuels: Australian Federal and State governments' green hydrogen strategies and supportive funding are ready for Canadian solutions that reduce the costs of production and transportation of future fuels (low carbon hydrogen and ammonia, biomethane).
Decarbonisation of Heavy Industry: Intermediate solutions on the pathway to full decarbonisation, including clean fuel retrofits, hybrid microgrids and industrial process modifications are of interest to mining, cement, and other heavy industry. This dovetails with the strong trend towards digitisation and automation for efficiency gains and reduction of carbon footprint.
Mining equipment technology and services
The Australian mining sector is at the forefront of developing and adopting new technologies focused on efficiency and sustainability. Although it has a strong mining industry, there are opportunities for Canadian companies to work with the Australian industry to achieve its goals.
Australia is a leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in mining, which presents valuable opportunities for collaboration, with a like-minded ally, such as Canadian businesses in the mining industry.
Australia, with the world's largest reserves of iron ore, lithium, zinc, and nickel, is a global leader in minerals essential for green steel production, batteries and emerging technologies. The country is also a key supplier of several rare earth minerals. Canada is well-positioned to seize opportunities to cooperate and secure supplies.
Many large mines are covered by the Safeguard Mechanism, which provides significant opportunities for Canadian companies that enable clean technologies focused on helping mining companies reduce the costs and volume of their emissions.
Information and communication technologies (with a focus on digital infrastructure and smart cities)
Canada's strong capabilities in applications for smart cities and intelligent transport systems are increasingly relevant for the Australian market. In recent years, the Australian government has invested significantly in essential digital infrastructure and skills, with Australia's tech sector valued at C$156 billion and growing by 80% over the past five years.
Against this backdrop, significant opportunities exist in Australia for digital infrastructure, including in:
- Telecoms
- Network management
- Critical communications infrastructure
- Satellite
- Creative technologies
- IoT devices and software
- Utility Management
Additionally, Australia's growing number of transport infrastructure projects, such as tunnels, roadways, ports, light rails and train infrastructure, present a significant number of opportunities in the field of digital technologies for transport.
This includes a stronger demand for applications from artificial intelligence (AI) in road management and traffic monitoring and engineering, to renewals of ticketing systems in use around the country.
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics will also present opportunities for technology providers as the Queensland Government works towards building the additional infrastructure required to deliver the event in collaboration with local city councils in the region.
Travel considerations and expenses
Travel advice and advisories
No matter where you plan to travel, make sure you check the Travel Advice and Advisories page for your destination twice: once when you are planning your trip and again shortly before you leave. Safety and security conditions may change between the date you book your travel and your departure date.
Entry requirements
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into Australia and must contain at least two blank pages for use by immigration officials.
Holders of a Canadian passport must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) using the Australian ETA app. With this ETA, you can travel to Australia as a business visitor. A business visitor can:
- make general business or employment enquiries
- investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
- conduct activities as part of an official government visit
- take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar.
We strongly advise that you consult the Australian Government department of Immigration and Citizenship or contact the Australian High Commission for all inquiries regarding ETAs, visas and entry requirements.
Please note that the Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination's entry or exit requirements.
Travel arrangements and expenses
Participants are responsible for organizing their own travel arrangements, including all air and ground transportation to and from the airport, and to make their own accommodation reservations. Programming and travel information (such as local transportation options and hotel block bookings) will be provided to confirmed participants as information becomes available.
There is no fee to participate in the trade mission. However, participants are responsible for covering all related travel costs, including airfare, accommodations, ground transportation and meals not included in the program.
Important
Please make sure to purchase cancellation insurance and/or a refundable ticket in the event that the trade mission dates change.
Funding programs
The Government of Canada, as well as individual provincial and territorial governments offer export financing and other programs that help Canadian businesses expand internationally. Please consult the Business Benefits Finder to find programs and services that might be suitable to your needs.
Submit your application
All applications will be subject to a screening process to assess export readiness (for companies), eligibility and suitability for the trade mission. To deliver a robust program that is beneficial to participating companies, the Trade Commissioner Service reserves the right to select the Canadian, export-ready companies and other organizations that are the most aligned with the sectoral focus and the objectives of the mission.
We anticipate a high volume of applications for this mission. To maximize the number of organizations able to participate, a maximum of two representatives per organization can register for the trade mission. In addition, some specific program elements may have capacity limits that may only allow for the attendance of one representative per organization.
If you are selected to be part of the trade mission, you will be provided with a detailed program and additional resources to assist you in making your travel arrangements.
Registration deadline: November 15, 2024, 17:00 E.T.
We strive to provide a decision on your application by mid-December.
Resources
Contact us
Questions? Please reach out to the Team Canada Trade Missions Team at tctm-mcec.aus@international.gc.ca or the Trade Commissioner Service.
