If you’ve been looking at starting a dropshipping business in Australia, you’ve probably come across a lot of the same old advice.
It goes something like this…
Find a hot product/niche (in China)
Source a cheap (Chinese) supplier
Dropship products to your customers (from China)
That’s the generic dropshipping formula that people have been touting for the past decade. And don’t get me wrong, it does still work.
But it’s not the only way to run a dropshipping business in Australia.
More businesses are understanding the value of using local and domestic suppliers for dropshipping.
You might be thinking that there’s no way you can find dropship suppliers in Australia that are as cheap as those in China.
And while that might be the case, cheap isn’t always better. There are numerous benefits to using Australian dropship suppliers over Chinese ones.
Buying local is a dropshipping trend that’s starting to gain momentum in the United States thanks to proposed new shipping regulations, and it’s something you should be thinking about if you’re starting or running a dropshipping business in Australia.
How to start dropshipping in Australia
You’ve probably seen the success stories of Australian ecommerce entrepreneurs like Gretta van Riel and Jack Bloomfield and wondered if you can do the same.
Dropshipping is a simple, low-cost way to get started in ecommerce and has the potential to make significant income.
What is dropshipping?
Dropshipping is an ecommerce business model or fulfilment method that allows you to sell physical products without buying or holding any stock of your own.
You just have to find a great product to sell and connect with a reliable supplier that offers dropshipping as a service.
You then list that product for sale on an online marketplace or your own online store (ideally using Shopify), and start making sales.
This is how dropshipping works...
A customer purchases your product from your online store at retail price
You place an order for that product with your supplier and pay wholesale price
Your supplier packages and ships the product directly to your customer.
You don’t have to buy bulk stock, pay for extra storage space, or deal with shipping, and your profit is the difference between the wholesale price and the retail price. Easy, right?
Why Shopify is the best way to start your dropshipping business
When you’re starting a dropshipping business in Australia there are many different platforms to choose from.
You can choose to sell on existing marketplaces like eBay, MyDeal or Trade Me. But those platforms come with extra fees and they restrict the way you can market and advertise your products.
Shopify is the best way to start your dropshipping business because it’s packed with powerful features and it allows you to build your own brand - something that will be invaluable as your sales and customer base start to grow.
A brand is a real business asset, whereas listings on an online marketplace are not.
Shopify is a complete plug-and-play solution, meaning you can set it up in less than a day without any technical knowledge of building a website.
Interesting
Some of the best features of Shopify are:
A huge range of free, ready-to-use themes. Shopify has custom themes that you can use to build your store. They look great and they’re really functional.
It’s app and extension friendly. Want to add firepower to your Shopify store? There are thousands of extra apps and extensions you can use to make your store better.
Connectivity with other apps. Shopify can easily be integrated with Facebook and other ecommerce apps, making ecommerce simple and seamless.
Built-in SEO. Shopify has great out of the box SEO, so you don’t have to invest time tweaking things in the backend to start ranking on Google. It’s all done for you.
It’s trusted by the best. Thousands of successful online stores - from Tesla Motors to small dropshippers - use Shopify so you can be confident that it works a treat.
The benefits of using Australian dropshippers
Maybe you’re just getting started with your dropshipping business, or maybe you’ve already got one set up with suppliers in China.
Either way, you should seriously be thinking about using Australian dropship suppliers for your business.
Here are 5 benefits of using Australian dropshippers
Faster Shipping
Customers today expect fast shipping. Ideally, they want to be able to click ‘buy’ and have the product the very next day. Using suppliers outside of Australia means this is impossible and it impacts on customer satisfaction.
If you use dropship suppliers in Australia, you can offer faster and (probably) cheaper shipping to your customers. This helps with sales and conversions and reduces abandoned shopping carts.
You can’t underestimate the power of offering your customers fast shipping options.
Quality Control
Suppliers in China - fairly or unfairly - don’t have a reputation for high-quality goods. Suppliers and manufacturers in Australia are bound by tighter regulations and standards, so their products should be of a higher quality.
Quality is important because it also improves customer satisfaction and it can fuel your marketing. By offering “Australia Made” products, you’re telling your customers that they’re of a particular standard.
This can help to set your business apart from the ones that are using Chinese suppliers.
Higher Retail Prices
And because the goods from Australian dropship suppliers are of a higher quality, you can charge higher retail prices. That means you can still retain the high profit margins typically associated with Chinese suppliers.
Customers are willing to pay more for Australian made for the intrinsic quality and trust that comes with that label.
Easier Communication
Everything from the initial contact and negotiations to working out issues along the way becomes easier with Australian dropship suppliers. Nothing gets lost in translation and you can speak openly and honestly to secure the best deal for your business.
It’s also easier for you to visit the supplier in person and build a relationship that goes beyond email communication. Creating positive relationships with your suppliers is hugely important and it’s much easier to do if you’re using suppliers in your home country.
Higher Sales
With all of the above benefits, you’re likely going to make more sales than you would working with a supplier outside of Australia. Passing those benefits on to your customers will result in higher conversion rates, which, at the end of the day, is more money in your pocket.
Top places to find Australian dropship suppliers
There are a variety of places to find reliable dropship suppliers in Australia.
Here are some of the best ways to get started.
Simply searching “dropship suppliers Australia” on Google is a good way to find some of the best known suppliers in your area. You can even narrow it down by searching by region, such as Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia. While the companies that show up as the top results on Google are likely to be reliable and popular, they may not have the best prices so it’s best to look around a bit and negotiate prices.
SaleHoo
Using a reliable supplier directory like SaleHoo is a great way to find suppliers you can trust in Australia. They vet every supplier in directory to ensure they’re safe and reliable. You’ll get company information, contact details, and even scripts to use when communicating with suppliers. It’s the safest, simplest way to dropship.
Disclaimer: The suppliers you’ll see below are sourced directly from SaleHoo. It’s a small sample but you’ll find suppliers’ name and description for more than a dozen niches. If you like more in-depth analysis and wider selection of dropship suppliers I highly encourage you to check out their directory.
Trade Fairs
If you want to meet suppliers in person, head along to local trade fairs and see if any of the suppliers in your niche offer dropshipping. Trade fairs are a great way to build rapport with suppliers and start a business relationship on the right foot. You can find a list of upcoming trade fairs in Australia here.
Facebook Groups
Join Facebook groups related to dropshipping and ecommerce, particularly ones that are focussed on the Australian market. These online communities are full of people who are experienced in this area and they may be able to refer you to dropship suppliers in Australia.
If you engage in conversation and contribute to the groups, you’re likely to get more help from those in the know.
What to look for in dropshippers from Australia?
So you’ve found a few dropshippers in your niche that you’re keen to work with. That’s great! But first, you want to do some research and make contact with each supplier to ensure they’re the right fit for your business.
I recommend contacting 3-5 suppliers in Australia before deciding on who you want to work with. Here are a few things you should check before committing to a dropship supplier.
Check if it’s a legit dropshipper
A supplier might say they offer dropshipping services, but you want to make sure it’s legitimate. A legitimate dropshipper will have plenty of your product in stock and be able to handle order fulfillment and shipping.
A good dropshipper will be able to go the extra mile, allowing you to provide custom packaging for your products. Ideally, you should talk to other people who have used the supplier for dropshipping to see if they’re up to standard. And make sure you communicate with the supplier clearly to set expectations from the beginning.
Shipping times
Customers expect fast shipping. Same-day and overnight delivery are the norm in our fast-paced world. You need to check if your chosen dropship supplier can provide a range of shipping options to satisfy your customers.
If shipping times are a week or longer, you can probably assume they’re sourcing products from outside Australia, which defeats the purpose of sourcing from local suppliers.
Minimum orders
Some dropship suppliers have minimum order quantities (MOQs). This means they require you to order a specific number of products to use their services.
You want to be careful that you don’t get locked into ordering and paying for 1000 units when you don’t know if you can sell them. The great thing about dropshipping is that you shouldn’t have to buy stock up front.
It’s best to find a dropship supplier that will fulfill orders as they come in and doesn’t require you to buy in bulk.
Quality of products
Quality is king! If you’re touting the fact that you’re selling Australian-made products, you want to be sure they’re of a high quality. The best way to do this is to order samples before committing to a supplier.
It’s also a good way to test how the supplier handles packaging and shipping. Check every tiny detail of the product to make sure you’re happy with the quality before deciding to use a supplier.
Top 20 Dropshippers in Australia
1. Team Kicks
Team Kicks a 100% Australian Company that is revolutionizing footwear using its own technique of coloring and assembly of its wool and cow suede products.
Over the years, they have expanded their operations to the New Zealand market and own global licenses for the sale and distribution of Trolls Boots, All Blacks, Manchester City and Arsenal FC.
They ship internationally and they accept PayPal and major credit cards as safe payment methods.
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No minimum orders
20% off retail price for dropshippers
Free delivery for > 3 items purchase at once.
Orders are packed for dispatch within 2 business days.
2. Deva
Deva Australia is a longstanding member of the Gifts & Homewares Association (AGHA) and they regularly exhibit at trade events. This is ideal for resellers who are simply starting out or on a tight budget.
They do, however, have a flat freight charge of $16.50 (including GST) for wholesale orders within Australia.
They accept Visa, MasterCard, EFT and PayPal as payment methods. They offer dropshipping as well.
- No minimum order requirement
- No additional dropship fee.
3. Frank and Beans Australia
This supplier established its business in 2009 with a manufacturing facility set in Thailand (Underwear Co, Ltd 1 Sukhumvit Soi 25, Sukhumvit Road, Level P Unit P01 Glas Haus, North Klongtoey, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand).
They ship internationally and they accept PayPal and major credit cards as safe payment methods.
There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping.
4. Ozdingo
Ozdingo is a family-owned online retail store based in Brisbane that offers both wholesale and dropshipping services.
They started their business in 2014 and they accept PayPal and major credit cards as safe payment methods.
Among the products they carry are healthy foods, nutrition, supplements, dental hygiene, massagers, snoring solutions, essential oils supplies and accessories.
As they stock only high-selling items, this guarantee a high-profit margin for sellers.
5. Gem Candles
Gem Candles started business in 2011, manufacturing and trading gem candles.
Their products are not ordinary candles as they are also a piece of jewelry. Some are massage candles and some are aromatic candles.
They ship internationally via TNT and they mainly accept PayPal as a safe payment method. Credit cards are also accepted.
They offer dropshipping within Australia only, $5 handling fee per order.
Dropshipping prices are the same as wholesale.
No minimums for drop shipping.
6. Crochead
This supplier established its business in 2006 manufacturing Australian-made products from non-disposable materials.
All products are handmade so you're supporting the local economy. They have a manufacturer’s money back satisfaction guarantee.
They ship internationally from their headquarters in Queensland, Australia and they accept major credit cards and PayPal as safe payment methods.
This supplier is committed to quality and promises all products to be free of defects and meet all Australian Consumer Standards.
There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping.
7. Smart Candles Australia
Smart Candles is based in Australia and they offer candles that are a very realistic alternative to real wax or naked flame lighting.
No membership fees to get started.
They offer dropshipping, which you need to set up an account for.
8. Daring Diva Australia
This supplier is an Australian owned and operated company located in Sydney. Their primary focus is women's fashion, shoes, and accessories and they cater for sizes 14+.
They offer styles for smart casual to elegantly chic occasions and bring you the hottest designs and latest trends from globally inspired fashion trends.
- All orders are shipped within 24 hours,
- The minimum order requirement is 3 styles and color.
- They offer 14-day returns for a full refund or exchange.
- Faulty goods are refunded in full, including shipping.
9. Australian UGG Original
This supplier established its business in 2009 as a manufacturer of original Australian UGG boots and other sheepskin apparel, based in Sydney (Factory & Factory Outlet).
They ship internationally and they accept major credit cards and PayPal as safe payment methods. FREE Australia wide shipping and FREE Worldwide shipping is available for all products made by this supplier.
FREE shipping applies to initial order shipment.
Dropshipping service is available and a 20% commission is guaranteed to all approved dropshippers.
Datafeed is available upon request.
There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping.
10. Disposable Camera Company
Disposable Camera Company is an Australia based company of wedding and party cameras.
Their minimum order requirement is 8 cameras for wholesale orders. You must have a registered account with them to place your orders as a retailer.
- ABN is also required from Australian retailers.
- PayPal is their preferred payment method.
- Dropshipping service is available upon request.
11. Jarri Lights
This supplier established its business in 2016 manufacturing and designing lamps and chandeliers. They ship internationally and they accept PayPal and major credit cards as safe payment methods.
Dropshipping service is available at no extra charge.
Domestic orders are shipped in 1 day and international orders are shipped in 3 days or more depending on the location.
There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping.
12. Brilliant Scent Jewel Candles
Manufacturers of large soy ring candles, bath bombs, bath crumbles, & jewel scrubs with a surprise jewel inside with weekly bonus jewel offers.
Each product comes with a randomly hidden jewel: a ring, earrings, pendant, necklace, or a bracelet. All jewels are all genuine 925 Sterling Silver Jewels. There do not use plated jewels so they are extremely high quality.
They offer a 14-day return/refund policy. Items accepted for return/refund should be unused, unopened and returned in original condition and packaging.
There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping.
13. DearJane Medical
DearJane Medical is a wholesaler of medical equipment, supplies, and accessories.
Dropshipping is for Australia and New Zealand-based resellers only.
There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping and there are no additional fees either aside for the product itself and shipping fees.
14. Sello Products
This supplier is a dropshipping and online retail company, founded in 2015 in Melbourne. Their goal is to provide customers with great quality products at the best prices.
They stock over 3,000 SKUs in their warehouse and it’s increasing by 150 per month.
They cooperate with big courier companies, such as Australia Post, Toll, Fastway, Allied Express, to make sure that the delivery experience is a smooth one for every single transaction.
They ship within Australia only.
15. ASA Sales & Marketing
This company is 100% Australian-owned and operated by ASA Sales & Marketing, a family owned business that has been operating in Sydney for approximately 25 years.
They are direct importers and distributors of a wide selection of European hand dryers. They stock a complete range of European engineered and manufactured hand dryers to suit a wide variety of environments.
These hand dryers are designed by Europe’s leading laboratories to ensure the highest level of quality, reliability and energy efficiency.
Their products are designed to meet the needs from distributors and end users. Each product has a sleek modern design, are extremely cost effective, and all come with a 2-year warranty.
16. Closed Down
This supplier is an Australian Owned company. Their products are designed to last a lifetime.
By using the very best materials such as pure Australian wool, a durable oilskin fabric, strong leather handles and the toughest stitching to create an extensive range of products.
Products they offer:
- Thermal Bags
- Travel Purse
- Golf Bags
- Pet Supplies
- Product Care
- Corporate Gifts
- Clothing
17. FactoryFast
This is an Australian owned and operated online shopping mall that supplies a wide range of products.
They established their business in 2005 and they strive to bring the Australian online market an ever-changing product range from the best manufacturers at incredible online bargain prices.
They ship to locations within the Commonwealth of Australia, from their warehouse in Matraville, NSW.
This supplier does not make any sales or deliveries to places outside of Australia and New Zealand.
- Dropshipping is available at no extra fee.
- Products will be shipped the day after receiving your payment.
- There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping.
18. The Travel Bag Company
The Travel Bag Company Pty Ltd is an Australia based company. Both wholesale and dropshipping orders are accepted.
They do offer dropshipping for no additional charges aside from the product price and shipping costs. Be advised that they have a minimum order requirement for dropshipping. You must purchase at least a 2-pack of wine travel bags.
The Wine Travel Bag is a lightweight yet sturdy carry bag designed to hold standard 750 ml sized bottles of wine, liquor and other liquids.
It is quite practical and ideal for travel especially on planes, for sending specialty gifts, for corporate gifts, for wedding favors, and so much more!
19. IS3D
This supplier established its business in 2012 providing catering and kitchen products for wholesalers and dropshippers.
They ship internationally and they accept PayPal and major credit cards as safe payment methods.
There is no minimum order requirement for dropshipping.
20. TrendOZ
This supplier is an Australian-owned company focusing on essential oils and pieces of jewellery.
They are extremely careful and picky about the products they choose and import to Australia in regards to the work ethics of their original manufacturer, their customer service and the quality of the products.
Every single product gets quality checked in their warehouse in Melbourne before being shipped out to their customers.
They ship internationally and they accept major credit cards and PayPal as safe payment methods.
There is no minimum order requirement to buy from this supplier.
There you have 20 of the best Australian dropshippers that any Australian business or soletrader can signup and start using right away. All you need to get started is an active membership to get the contact details for each supplier.
For a limited time, you can get a 7 day trial for only $1.
Last Updated on October 8, 2019 by Rhys Dale
Rhys is the owner and chief editor at Im Rhys and is living in Chisinau, Moldova. With over 15 years experience in eCommerce and Affiliate Marketing he has started many successful 6 and 7 figure businesses. After successes with USA and China dropshipping, he expanded into building 70+ micro affiliate websites in 30 different niches that generate money on autopilot. He now helps his wife to run her social media agency as well as travelling the world at every opportunity.
Would you advise if dating divas dropship to NZ?
THANKS
I phoned one of your listed suppliers today and they DONT dropship. They even highlighted that they dont supply online only stores ???
Your comments please?
Sorry this post was provided by Salehoo themselves last year and may be out of date now. Apologies
Super informative article. Great attention to details!