While Australia has traditionally been an exporter of agricultural and mineral commodities, the past two decades have witnessed a rapid rise in the export of both manufactured goods and services. Accordingly, those wishing to enter the field of international business now need to be aware of the various laws and procedures that apply when exporting commodities, manufactured goods, and services. In 2003–04 exports of primary products, including minerals, comprised approximately 50 per cent of Australia's exports. Manufactured goods and services accounted for approximately 25 per cent each. Coal, iron ore, petroleum, wheat, meat, wine, aluminium and gold dominate Australia's primary product exports. Somewhat surprisingly, motor vehicles play a large role in manufactured exports. While the major destinations for Australia's exports are in the Asia–Pacific region, the Middle East and Europe are growing markets for many small and medium exporters of processed foods and some manufactured goods. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website (<www.dfat.gov.au>) provides annually updated statistics on the composition of Australia's exports and imports.

The terms, conditions and procedures for the sale of commodities have developed over several centuries. In many industries there are now standard form contracts, with the parties often only left to negotiate on price, method of payment, delivery, and the various costs associated with transport, insurance and the like. In addition, the export of agricultural commodities from Australia has had a tradition of being concentrated in the hands of marketing boards that purchased from growers and then exported, while minerals tend to be exported by large-scale mining companies.