Irish firms have secured some €5.1 million in contracts during a trade mission to Australia, it was announced today.

Some 45 Irish technology firms participated in the mission, which is the first of a series planned for the next four months as Enterprise Ireland attempts to promote Irish exports in key high potential markets.

The mission to Australia was focused on Irish software and services exports to Australia, with firms involved in IT and mobility, telecommunications, e-learning, financial services and e-health taking part.

Describing it as a "highly successful and constructive" mission, Minister of State with responsibility for small business John Perry said the firms had done deals in the financial services, healthcare and knowledge services sector.

"Not only did Irish companies secure €5.1m in prestigious contracts but we also opened up a number of doors in strategic sectors such as medical technologies and financial services," he said.

"Ireland's technologies closely match Australia's needs and their interest in our technologies was evident from the constructive engagement we received both at industry and political level.  Based on this positive mission, we are confident that Irish exports to Australia will enjoy further growth over the coming two to three years."

There were contract wins for Pulselearning in the healthcare sector, which secured more than €170,000 in new business, while Health Care Informed secured more than €200,000 in new business.

In the enterprise and government sector, customer retention and employee performance company Deep Insight won more than €100,000 in new business with large corporations.

Intuition, meanwhile, has won a "significant" contract with a large investment bank.

In 2010, Irish exports to Australia grew by €26 million.