Reasons to Invest in Western Australia

Western Australia boasts an open, dynamic economy built on strong international investment. The State’s economic growth (Gross State Product) has averaged 5.21 per cent during the past 10 years, outperforming Australia’s growth of 4.34 per cent (Gross Domestic Product) and OECD countries’ growth of 2.8 per cent for the same period. The medium to long term outlook for Western Australia's economy remains strong, despite the current global economic downturn.

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Minerals and petroleum are dominant industries in Western Australia and strong growth is forecast for these sectors in the medium to long term. Western Australia is one of the most productive and diversified mineral and petroleum regions in the world, with more than 50 mineral and petroleum products being produced in commercial quantities worth around US$44billion annually. The State leads the Nation in minerals and petroleum output and produces a significant proportion of the world’s trade in several key commodities.

Petroleum Exploration Opportunities in WA

Mineral Exploration Opportunities in WA

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Western Australia has a distinguished track record in the development of large, technically advanced mineral and petroleum processing projects. Investment capital from all over the world has been drawn to the State, which matches its development potential with world class engineering, construction and project management capability.  Furthermore, the State Government actively encourages major private sector investment in resource projects and supporting infrastructure. The Department of State Development provides assistance and facilitation services to companies seeking to establish and manage major investments. For a list of projects under consideration or in the commissioning phase, please refer to the following publication: www.dmp.wa.gov.au/documents/Prospect_Dec_2008.pdf.

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Western Australia has a highly skilled workforce of over 1.1 million people, with levels of education and technical skills among the best in the world. With over 30 per cent of Western Australia's population born overseas, our workforce communicates easily with countries and businesses around the world, particularly in Asia and Europe.

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Western Australia's industrial growth is the result of an outwardly focused business culture. Through a long history of exporting, Western Australian businesses know how to compete with the world’s best, especially in the large neighbouring Asian markets. The State's business community has readily adopted e-commerce and recognises the huge potential of emerging knowledge-based industries.

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• Australia has a stable system of government and a sound legal framework. More than a hundred years of parliamentary democracy and rule of law provide the basis for a secure and confident investment culture. 
  
• Responsible elected governments at National, State and Local levels, a free media and an independent judiciary ensure certainty and consistency in the administration of laws affecting businesses. 
  
• Public Service Agencies use advanced information and communications technology to ensure prompt administration of business regulations, licensing requirements, taxation and approval processes. 
  
• State and Commonwealth Government Agencies also offer a range of programs to encourage business growth, export development and increase competitiveness.

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Western Australia is ideally positioned to access every significant market in Asia, Australia, the Indian Ocean region and beyond, and offers great benefits to businesses trading in the region. Western Australia is the closest Australian State to the Indian Ocean region, which now accounts for 25 per cent of Australia's exports. Perth shares its time zone (and languages) with many Asian countries, which enhances its access to Asian markets and makes contact easy during normal business hours. Significantly, and uniquely among Australian cities, Perth companies can also contact Europe during business hours.

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• Comprehensive air, land and sea transport systems and services move people and freight efficiently within the city of Perth, throughout the State and to interstate and overseas destinations. 
  
• Western Australia’s vast land transport networks include more than 17,000km of toll-free roads, a 6,400km public rail system and 1,000 km of private rail track to resource operations. 
  
• There are 14 modern, efficient seaports to handle export cargo. For further information, please refer to: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19119.asp.
  
• Investors have access to industrial sites near Perth and in regional centres. In addition, high quality serviced commercial and industrial land and buildings are available for sale or lease through the private market. For further information, please refer to: http://www.dsd.wa.gov.au/1044.aspx.

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The State Government also provides information, advice and support for businesses to learn more about investing in Western Australia through its network of overseas offices. For further information, please see the list of contacts

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Western Australia’s warm, friendly, uncomplicated way of life complements its sophisticated and profitable globally-oriented economy. Western Australia offers an attractive lifestyle for the international investment community with its open, relaxed and multicultural environment, and Perth offers an affordable way of life in a Mediterranean type climate, with world class beaches and vineyards. In the 2009 survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Perth was ranked the fifth most livable city in the world.

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