Australian tech firms looking to break into global markets have a fresh source of support. A new partnership between the Tech Council of Australia (TCA) and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) aims to open more international doors for local companies ready to scale.
The collaboration brings with it the creation of a National TradeStart Adviser dedicated to supporting Critical and Enabling Technology companies. Based within the TCA team, the adviser will serve as a direct link to Austrade’s programs and services across the globe. These include the agency’s network of Landing Pads—soft-landing hubs in the United States, United Kingdom, South Asia and Southeast Asia—designed to help start-ups hit the ground running in foreign markets.
TCA CEO Damian Kassabgi says the timing couldn’t be better. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with Austrade to help take more Australian tech companies global,” he said. “This partnership is a huge step forward in supporting our Australian tech sector as it continues to grow and compete on the world stage.”
TCA has long focused on lifting the profile of the tech sector and showcasing homegrown capability. The new partnership, according to Kassabgi, strengthens that ambition.
“Together with Austrade’s global resources, we can help scale the next Atlassian or Canva, and bring more investment and productivity growth to Australian shores,” he said.
Austrade CEO Dr Paul Grimes welcomed the move and said the partnership reflects the government’s commitment to supporting high-growth tech businesses. “By working together with the TCA and Australia’s startups and scaleups, we can create even more opportunities for the sector to expand and thrive.”
Both organisations have made it clear that the partnership is grounded in practical outcomes—building pathways for companies to enter new markets, access advice, and build the kind of connections that can make international expansion viable.
It’s an approach that brings institutional backing to what has often been a lonely road for many founders trying to navigate new markets. The embedded adviser will work directly with companies to provide a customised bridge into Austrade’s existing global network, which is already geared towards helping Australian businesses land and grow overseas.
For a tech sector grappling with a tighter capital environment and looking beyond borders for customers and collaborators, the added layer of structured support could prove timely.
While the headlines are often reserved for the biggest success stories, the day-to-day grind of building international credibility is where this partnership is expected to make an impact.
The tech sector has been one of Australia’s fastest-growing employers in recent years and is increasingly being recognised as a key contributor to future economic resilience. With this partnership, TCA and Austrade are betting on a more coordinated push to help the next wave of companies find a place on the global stage.
As Kassabgi put it, “Australian tech has world-class ideas. This partnership helps ensure they have world-class access.”
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