News from Castletons
At Castletons, here in beautiful Sydney, Australia, we are all preparing for a major internal change during 2026 when we will be switching our software system to the Xero platform and finally become totally “cloud-based”.
In late 2025 we joined the Indo-Australia Chamber of Commerce which has close ties to the Indian Australia Business Council and will provide us with access to many business in both in India and Australia. We have already hosted one event for visiting Indian members and attended two other events in Sydney.
Australia's International Business Environment 2026
Australia has been actively seeking to diversify its trade relationships following geopolitical tensions, especially with China. While China remains a significant trading partner, Australia is deepening ties with other regions, particularly:
- India: The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), signed in December 2022, opened new opportunities in trade, technology, and services. India is becoming a more critical partner for Australia, especially in areas like IT, education, agriculture, and mining.
- Southeast Asia and ASEAN: Australia's efforts to strengthen relationships with ASEAN countries are also growing. There's a particular focus on regional supply chain security, technology transfer, and energy cooperation, including clean energy projects.
- Europe: The UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), finalized in 2021, is now being actively implemented, benefiting sectors such as agriculture, education, and digital services.
Summary of Recent Trends for Small Businesses:
- Digital Economy: Many of the recent agreements, like those with the UK, EU, and Japan, are pushing for enhanced digital trade, which benefits small Australian businesses involved in IT services, cybersecurity, and e-commerce.
- Agricultural Exports: Australia’s core agricultural sectors, including wine, beef, dairy, and grains, continue to benefit from preferential access to markets like China, Japan, and South Korea.
- Sustainability: Many agreements, including the upcoming EU deal, emphasize sustainability and green products, presenting new opportunities for small businesses focused on eco-friendly products and services.
These developments reflect Australia’s ongoing efforts to create a more diversified, future-proof economy with greater access to global markets. Small businesses, particularly in sectors such as technology, agriculture, and digital services, are well-positioned to benefit from these evolving trade opportunities.
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