Melbourne fashion brands have three real options: a local maker, a China factory or a Vietnam factory. Here is how they compare on cost per garment, minimum orders, lead times and compliance, plus how to pick the right one for your label.
Last updated: 6 October 2026
In short: Melbourne has some great small-run clothing makers, but most brands that scale end up making at least part of their range in China or Vietnam. Local suits tiny runs and fast samples. Offshore wins on unit cost once you pass a few hundred pieces per style. The smart move for many Aussie labels is a split: local for drops and prototypes, offshore for core lines.
Melbourne has a long garment trade, centred on Brunswick, Collingwood, Richmond and the north-west. Most local makers are small cut-make-trim (CMT) workshops. Many take short runs and turn samples around fast. Capacity is the catch. Good ones book out, and rates reflect Australian wages.
If you are just starting, local is a fine place to prove a design. Our guide to finding clothing manufacturers in China and Vietnam picks up where local runs stop making sense.
Here is the quick view. Figures are typical ranges we see for basic woven or knit garments. Your fabric, trims and detail will move them.
Want the wider picture? Read our China and Vietnam dual-sourcing strategy.
Say you order 500 tees. Quotes will vary, but the shape of the maths is useful. These are example numbers, not a quote.
On 500 units that is a saving of roughly AUD 4,000 or more. Over a year, with repeat orders, it adds up fast. Work out your own numbers with our guide to landed cost.
Plan on these windows from approved sample to stock on your shelf:
Chinese New Year and peak season can add weeks. Book production early for autumn and winter ranges. Read our sea vs air freight guide if you need to rescue a late order.
Offshore does not mean fewer rules. Australian Consumer Law applies to every garment you sell. Know these basics:
Fabric safety can matter too. See what OEKO-TEX certification means for your buyers.
Go offshore when you can commit to 300+ pieces per style, when your margin is being squeezed, or when you want fabrics that local mills cannot supply. Stay local when you need tiny runs, rapid fashion drops or a made-here story that is genuinely true. Many brands do both.
Compare how other cities handle it: Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Moving a Melbourne shipment? Our Melbourne freight forwarder guide covers the next step. We also cover Sydney in our Sydney freight forwarder guide.
Many local makers accept 30 to 200 pieces per style. Some take less for a higher price. China and Vietnam factories usually start at 200 to 500 or more.
Usually yes, once you hit volume. Per-garment costs are often well under half the local price, before freight and duty. Small runs narrow the gap.
Expect 6 to 12 weeks from approved sample to delivery in Melbourne, depending on the country, season and freight method.
You do not need one, but it helps. An agent vets factories, manages samples and checks quality on your behalf, so you avoid costly mistakes.
Yes. Many Melbourne labels make prototypes and small drops locally, then produce core lines offshore.
Epic Sourcing has sourced over 20,000 products for 300+ happy clients, with an average saving of about 77%. Our bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam find, vet and manage clothing factories for Aussie brands, and our offices span 5 countries. Ready to cost your range? Give us a bell, or see our clothing manufacturing service and importing from China to Australia.
