Let’s be real for a sec: even if you’ve never worked with an American client, you’ll feel it when the U.S. economy goes down.
And as someone who lives and freelances right here in Australia, I know that gut-punch feeling when something global hits our local shores. You can be doing all the right things, like tracking your hours, scoping projects properly, and delivering excellent work, but still get blindsided because of what’s happening half a world away.
The U.S. sneezes, and we catch the cold.
This article is part of a bigger conversation I’ve started around the risks facing freelancers if (or when) the U.S. economy tips over. If you haven’t read the main piece yet, it lays out the full picture of what a U.S. collapse could mean for digital freelancers worldwide. Grab a coffee and check it out here: When the Empire Falls.
But there’s good news: we can build buffers. We can adapt. And we can even find new opportunities in the chaos. Here’s how.
What Happens in the U.S. Doesn’t Stay in the U.S.
Even if your clients are 100% Aussie-based, a U.S. financial collapse will impact you through:
- Currency exchange rates – A weak U.S. dollar often initially strengthens the AUD, but a global downturn typically pushes the Australian economy into decline. That means overseas services, such as hosting, plugins, and SaaS, become more expensive.
- SaaS price shocks – Most of the tools we use daily (such as Elementor, Adobe, and Basecamp) are priced in USD. If the USD tanks or spikes erratically, your monthly costs could blow out.
- Delayed or cancelled projects – Aussie businesses with international exposure may pull back on web spend, pause campaigns, or lay off staff, including that marketing manager who was about to greenlight your next project.
How I’m Preparing (And How You Can Too)
1. Get Clear on Your Essentials
Start by making a list of the essentials you need to run your business, including hosting, domain renewals, email, project management tools, and must-have plugins.
I’ve shifted a few services to annual billing (to lock in pricing) and swapped out a couple of U.S.-based apps for Aussie or EU-hosted alternatives.
2. Work in AUD as Much as Possible
If you invoice U.S. clients, you’ll already know the sting of exchange rate fluctuations. I’m leaning into Aussie clients and partners wherever I can, offering a more straightforward, cleaner, and predictable approach.
Bonus: it supports the local economy.
3. Audit Your SaaS Stack
I was paying for seven different subscriptions last year. Now I’m down to four, and only one is USD-based.
Tools like Fathom Analytics, Zoho Projects, and even some open-source alternatives are worth exploring. Some Aussie-friendly tools are just as powerful and less volatile.
4. Market Regionally
Europe, Singapore, and even NZ are solid target markets for high-quality web work. I’ve updated my LinkedIn profile, website, and portfolio to make my services more relevant to regional audiences, not just Australian ones.
5. Keep a Cash Buffer in AUD
Emergency funds aren’t just for pandemics. Three months of expenses give you the space to breathe and adapt without going into panic mode.
Don’t Be the Last to Adapt
I know it’s tempting to ignore all this and keep plugging away. But resilience isn’t built overnight; it’s built step by step.
Being a web developer in Australia puts you in a strong position. We’ve got excellent infrastructure, smart clients, and access to global markets. But we’re not immune to shocks.
So do what you do best: solve problems. Start with your own business.