Finding Australian Product Testing Sites
There are just two Australian sites dedicated only to product testing of which I am aware. They areYoosterandSoup. Unfortunately, after nearly two years membership neither seems to be particularly pro-active. Although both send periodical member’s email newsletters, I have never qualified to test anything from Soup and only once from Yooster.
This one opportunity from Yooster was for a new type of toothpaste. The process involved completing an online survey to determine if I would be selected for the testing, having samples of the toothpaste posted to me to use, and some weeks later, responding to some short follow up surveys. The only “reward” is the free sample product. There is no additional incentive for completing the surveys.
However, product-testing opportunities have been far more prevalent from Online Paid Survey Panels. Not only from Australian based sites, but international as well. The trick seems to be establishing yourself on the site first. It would appear that after a period of regularly responding to survey invitations, and qualifying, and then successfully completing them, you become a “preferred” member of certain panels.
Once this “preferred” status is attained, members are likely to receive what appear to be normal surveys seeking an opinion on new products. The difference being, towards the end of the surveys, they ask the question “If we send you this product, would you be prepared to try it and complete a follow up survey?” Subject, of course, to typing “I AGREE” to a confidentiality clause.
Some of the products include new or improved brands of Instant Coffee, Toilet Paper, Individually wrapped Ice Cream, Dishwasher Detergent Tablets, and Chocolate Bars. They are lucrative “earners” because, once qualified, there is the package of the normal rewards from both the initial and follow up surveys, as well as the free product.
These opportunities have come from a variety of Panels. Ranging from global Panels such asOpinion WorldandLightspeed Consumer Panel(USA based),Valued Opinions(UK based) andPureprofile(Australian based), to domestic Australian PanelsYour VoiceandSurvey Village.
As mentioned earlier, none of these sites has a section where you can actually apply to be a product tester. I repeat, it appears to be a matter of establishing yourself as a proven, reliable Panel Member, before these sorts of offers come your way. The only Online Paid Survey Panel I am aware of that enables its members to actually apply for product testing isToluna. Unfortunately, this site has a high non-qualifying ratio, and offers mediocre rewards in comparison to the sites mentioned above.
In conclusion, my advice is to join any of the above Panels you are able to; complete the surveys you are offered regularly and diligently, and product-testing opportunities will eventually come your way. In the meantime, you will be rewarded for completing the surveys in cash or gift cards.
