Amazon Has Finally Launched in Australia — For Real This Time

After months of speculation and a soft launch that turned out to be a bust, Amazon's hotly anticipated Australian website is finally up and running. And the offering is huge.

It's been a couple of weeks since the online retail giant kicked off an 'internal testing phase' here in Australia, on November 23, though customers weren't actually able to get their hands on any products. Now, the site's gone properly live, filled with a hefty array of goods in time for that hectic, pre-Christmas retail rush.

This online shopping wonderland spells trouble for your credit card, boasting everything from books, electronics and homewares, through to fashion, beauty products and even power tools.

According to Senior Industry Analyst for IBISWorld Kim Do, Amazon's arrival in Australia is set to give the local retail industry a solid shake-up. "The company intends to challenge domestic retail prices by offering items for 30 percent less than domestic retailers," she explained, adding that technology products are expected to be Amazon's highest selling category.

Let the retail therapy begin!