WorldFirst and Export Council Australia partner to help SMEs navigate the currency swings that are hammering exporter profitability.
What’s happening: WorldFirst and Export Council of Australia have announced a strategic partnership to help SMEs manage cross-border payments amid significant Australian dollar volatility.
Why this matters: The Australian dollar’s 8% swing in four months, from below US$0.61 to above US$0.66, is significantly impacting exporter profitability and highlighting urgent need for currency management solutions.
Australian exporters are getting a lifeline as currency volatility wreaks havoc on their bottom lines, with two major industry players joining forces to tackle the crisis.
WorldFirst, Ant International’s business account service provider, and the Export Council of Australia have announced a strategic partnership designed to help cross-border SMEs navigate increasingly turbulent international markets.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. The Australian dollar has experienced dramatic swings in recent months, fluctuating from below US$0.61 to above US$0.66 within just four months – an 8% variation that significantly impacts exporters’ profitability.
Currency chaos bites
The partnership combines the Export Council’s six decades of trade capacity-building expertise with WorldFirst’s cross-border payment solutions, addressing three key areas where Australian SMEs struggle most.
“Australian exporters, particularly SMEs, often raise cross-border payment complexities and currency risks as key challenges,” said Arnold Jorge, CEO of Export Council of Australia. “The partnership with WorldFirst will help tackle these issues through multi-currency accounts, competitive FX rates, and secure international transfers.”
The collaboration will enhance financial resilience through targeted webinars and roundtables on managing currency volatility, simplify global payments via practical workshops demonstrating streamlined solutions, and amplify global networks through co-hosted events at key trade forums.
Strategic solution emerges
Jim Vrondas, General Manager for Australia and New Zealand at WorldFirst, emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting Australian SME growth aspirations. “The agreement we signed with the ECA sends a clear signal that we are here to help local businesses succeed when navigating complex international markets,” he said.
“This not only means connecting foreign currency accounts to the world’s most popular marketplaces but also helping business protect profit margins.”
The partnership addresses surging market demand, evidenced by WorldFirst Australia’s impressive 55% year-on-year growth in new client acquisition during the first half of 2025. As Australian SMEs increasingly prioritise cross-border efficiency, the collaboration underscores a broader trend toward digital financial solutions.
Growing market demand
WorldFirst’s flagship World Account combines global payments, collections, FX conversion, and treasury management in a single integrated solution. This enables Australian sellers to collect from over 130 global marketplaces, including Amazon and Walmart, while giving local buyers streamlined payment solutions for international sourcing.
The company has also completed its full rollout of the World Card with Mastercard in 2025, extending SME financial solutions with robust security features and global payment capabilities to help business owners optimise expenses while expanding internationally.
Digital payment evolution
The partnership reflects broader challenges facing Australian SMEs in the global marketplace. Currency volatility and cross-border payment complexities have emerged as significant barriers to international growth, particularly as businesses seek to diversify revenue streams.
For Export Council members and WorldFirst clients, the collaboration promises practical solutions to real-world problems. The initiative transforms currency management from a challenge into a competitive edge, helping Australian businesses compete more effectively in international markets.
As Australian SMEs navigate an increasingly complex global environment, partnerships like this one highlight how traditional industry bodies are evolving to meet modern business needs through strategic fintech alliances.
The collaboration represents a recognition that successful international trade requires more than just good products – it demands sophisticated financial infrastructure that can handle the complexities of modern cross-border commerce.
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