The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has announced its membership of Austrade’s Trade Diversification Network (TDN), following the announcement by Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism.
The Trade Diversification Network forms part of Austrade’s Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), a $50 million surge program jointly delivered by Austrade and industry to help Australian exporters diversify into new and emerging markets and capitalise on global growth opportunities. Through the TDN, national peak industry bodies will partner with Austrade to design and deliver sector-specific export initiatives that support long-term trade resilience.
As Australia’s peak industry body for fashion and textiles, the AFC represents a $28 billion industry that employs almost 500,000 Australians - 77 per cent of whom are women - and generates $7.2 billion in exports annually, exceeding the combined value of Australia’s wine and beer exports.
As a member of the TDN, the AFC will work alongside Austrade to advance new and priority international markets for the sector, building on existing export momentum through its Global Gateways program and driving diversification through tailored, sector-specific initiatives that reflect the depth, capability and ambition of the Australian fashion and textile industry.
AFC executive chair Marianne Perkovic said the AFC’s participation in the TDN further strengthens its ability to support members navigating an increasingly complex global trade environment, while reinforcing the industry’s position as a globally competitive export sector.
“Joining Austrade’s Trade Diversification Network is a significant step forward for the Australian fashion and textile industry. It strengthens our ability to support members in navigating global complexity, while positioning fashion as a serious, competitive and resilient export sector for Australia. This partnership builds on the success of AFC’s Global Gateways initiative and strengthens AFC Australian Fashion Week’s role as a platform for international trade, not just visibility,” Perkovic said.
Commenting on the Trade Diversification Network, Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, said: “Australia is a trading nation and we want to see more Australian exporters doing more trade with new and emerging partners across the globe in places like the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Trade Diversification Network is a great example of government and industry working together to achieve a common goal: seeing Australian businesses diversify, grow, and build resilience. With one in four Australian jobs connected to trade, by helping our exporters we are securing jobs, building communities, and benefiting the Australian economy.”
The AFC’s membership of the TDN builds on the demonstrated success of its Global Gateways program, with the September 2025 Hong Kong pilot connecting seven Australian designers with international buyers and media through a high-impact, targeted in-market engagement. Through the TDN, the AFC will scale Global Gateways into new markets, working with Austrade to deliver export opportunities aligned to the commercial and creative dynamics of the fashion and textile sector.
Alongside the TDN, the AFC reaffirmed the role of Australian Fashion Week as Australia’s national platform for international trade and export engagement, providing a critical opportunity to showcase Australian design and creative excellence to global buyers, partners and media.
Over the coming weeks, the AFC will work closely with Austrade to progress trade diversification priorities under the Trade Diversification Network, including advancing and refining international opportunities and pathways for Australian fashion and textile businesses. This work will directly inform the next phase of the AFC’s 2026-27 Global Gateways program, which will support more members in building export capability, deepening international connections, and capitalising on global growth opportunities across priority markets.