Why Are More and More Australian Brands Choosing Chinese Manufacturers for Custom Sportswear?
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- publisher
- Eationwear
- Issue Time
- Oct 25,2025
Summary
Discover why Australian activewear brands are increasingly turning to Chinese manufacturers for customised sportswear production — from cost advantages and advanced fabric technologies to flexible supply chains and global export strategies. Learn how your brand can leverage this trend to stay competitive.
Hey, fellow global sportswear brands! If you’ve been looking into supply chain trends, production solutions, and cost optimization lately, you might have noticed an interesting pattern: more and more Australian sports and activewear brands are teaming up with Chinese manufacturers for custom (OEM/ODM) sportswear production. This isn’t just a coincidence—it’s a trend driven by some very clear and logical reasons.
So, let’s break down why this is happening, share some real-world examples, and see why it might be the right move for your own brand too.
1. Market Trends: Sportswear Boom + Supply Chain Pressure
Let’s start with the big picture:
According to McKinsey & Company, the global sportswear industry is still growing steadily, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to increase from $63 billion in 2017 to around $141 billion by 2029.
China, as one of the largest sportswear and activewear producers in the world, boasts advanced manufacturing, technical expertise, and an extremely mature supply chain. Manufacturers specializing in sports and activewear fabrics, bulk order management, and technical garment finishes are more plentiful than ever.
For Australian brands, high local manufacturing costs and limited economies of scale make domestic production tough. If you want an “Australian design + global export” strategy, you need a manufacturing base that can match your design vision, shorten delivery times, and keep costs reasonable.
In this environment, looking to China for manufacturing is a logical—and increasingly popular—choice.
2. Why Are Aussie Sportswear Brands Choosing China?
Let’s dig into the main reasons:
1. Cost Advantage + Scale
Manufacturing in Australia means high labor costs, expensive equipment, imported raw materials, and high minimum order quantities. In contrast, Chinese factories benefit from integrated supply chains, easy access to fabrics and accessories, and lower labor costs.
For instance, news sources have highlighted that some Australian products can be made in China for about one-third the cost of making them locally. This means if you’re an Aussie brand aiming for high quality, reasonable prices, and global reach, Chinese partners offer a much more competitive cost structure.
2. Technical & Customization Capabilities
Modern sportswear (think compression wear, quick-dry, antibacterial, 4-way stretch, seamless construction) requires real technical know-how. Many Chinese factories now offer these capabilities, supporting advanced features like moisture-wicking, fast drying, stretch fabrics, and compliance with international textile standards such as OEKO-TEX and ISO.
For Australian brands, this means you can move beyond “just another T-shirt” to create technical, branded, custom pieces at scale.
3. Flexible Supply Chain & Fast Response
The sports and activewear world moves fast: trends change, styles need rapid turnover, and small test batches with quick replenishment are the new normal. If you rely solely on small-scale, slow local production, you risk long lead times and high logistics costs.
Chinese manufacturers, located close to Asian fabric sources and with mature logistics, offer flexible customization and quick turnaround. Many can start with low minimums, offer full branding and packaging, and scale with your brand.
4. Export & International Reach
Many Australian brands aim to sell globally. Manufacturing in China often simplifies export logistics, reduces the complexity of international shipping, and lets you benefit from efficient Asian distribution networks. With “one-stop” production, inspection, and packaging, you can focus on design and branding—leaving the rest to your manufacturing partner.
5. Brand Identity: Local vs. Global
While “Australian Made” is a nice bonus, sportswear buyers care more about performance, design, and fit than the label. More and more, brands are prioritizing innovation and function over origin—seeing manufacturing as the “engine room” and brand story as the “shop window.”
3. Real-World Examples: How Aussie Brands Are Doing It
Lorna Jane, the famous Australian women’s activewear brand, is headquartered in Brisbane but sources its products from long-term international manufacturing partners (while not naming China directly, their supply chain is global). This reflects the thinking of many brands: pick partners that best fit your values and needs.
Industry sources list at least 14 major Chinese manufacturers specializing in sports/activewear, serving global and Australian brands alike.
Even outside sportswear, Aussie brands in other fashion sectors (like homewear or lingerie) have reported that manufacturing in China can cost as little as one-third compared to local production. This shows the “Australian design + Chinese manufacturing” model is broadly accepted across industries.
4. What Does This Mean for Global Sportswear Brands Like You?
If Aussie brands are taking this path, should you be considering it too? Here’s why you might want to:
Custom Features & Flexibility: If you need technical fabrics, unique styles, limited runs, or small minimums, a mature, flexible manufacturing base is more important than just price.
Cost & Speed: Don’t underestimate the cost of “trial and error” or slow product cycles. A nimble manufacturing partner helps you iterate and react quickly.
Quality & Story: “Made in China” today often means “made by experts,” not just “cheap.” Technical expertise, service, and customization are real differentiators.
Risk Diversification: While some brands seek to diversify away from China for geopolitical reasons, the reality is China’s manufacturing strengths are hard to beat. If you move production elsewhere, you might face higher minimums, longer lead times, and increased shipping costs.
Brand Differentiation: With the right strategy, “Australian/international design + Chinese expert manufacturing” can help you move fast and compete globally.
5. Tips for Choosing a Chinese Manufacturer
To turn this opportunity into real success, keep these points in mind:
Vet for Sportswear Expertise: Not all factories are created equal. Look for those with technical experience, sample portfolios, and a track record in sportswear.
Clarify MOQs, Pricing, and Lead Times: Know your timelines from sampling to bulk production, and ensure your manufacturer can meet your needs for small batch orders and quick turnarounds.
Check Logistics & Export Experience: If you’re shipping globally, make sure your manufacturer understands international shipping, customs, quality control, and warehousing.
Quality & Compliance: Today’s buyers want sustainable, safe, and ethically made apparel. Choose partners who meet standards like OEKO-TEX and ISO.
Small Batch Test Runs: Don’t get locked into massive orders—look for partners open to small batch and rapid prototyping.
Tell Your Brand Story: Manufacturing origin doesn’t define your brand. Present it as a strategic choice—Australian/global design, global best-in-class manufacturing.
6. Conclusion
In short, more and more Australian sportswear brands are choosing Chinese manufacturers for custom production—not just for cost, but for a combination of quality, speed, technical ability, and global competitiveness. For sportswear brands worldwide, this presents a window of opportunity:
If you want to boost your product’s technical capabilities, respond faster to market trends, and keep costs under control—while maintaining strong brand positioning—consider making China part of your supply chain strategy.
Looking for a Trusted Chinese Sportswear Manufacturer?
If you’re inspired to explore manufacturing partnerships in China for your next sportswear collection, Eationwear is a name you can trust.
As a leading sportswear and activewear manufacturer based in China, Eationwear specializes in custom production for brands worldwide—including those from Australia, Europe, and North America.
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