Export adviser for small Australian producers

Small manufacturers, food and drink producers, farms and online brands that want to sell overseas but lack the time or know-how.

Fixed fee for an export readiness review or market plan, then hourly or monthly retainer rates for ongoing paperwork and compliance support.

• Knowledge of export rules and documents
• Clear writing and research
• Patient explaining to non-experts
• Good organisation and follow-up

• Check whether you need professional indemnity insurance, since bad advice could cost clients money
• Customs brokering and some export permits may be regulated, so check what you can and cannot do on a client's behalf
• Rules for goods like food, wine, timber and animal products vary by product and destination, so always point clients to the official source
• Check with your local council whether running a business from home needs approval
• Register for an ABN and check when GST registration applies

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your website, insurance, research tools and set-up. This is an estimate, so get quotes for items like professional indemnity cover before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $6,000, depending on how many clients you take on and what you charge. These are estimates only, and revenue is before insurance, tax and other costs.

Check whether you need professional indemnity insurance, and what you can do for clients, since customs brokering and some export permits may be regulated. Always point clients to official sources for product and destination rules, and check council, ABN and GST requirements.