CANBERRA - Australian federal Trade Minister Craig Emerson on Tuesday said he will lead the biggest-ever business delegation to China to promote Australian service exports.

Dr Emerson and parliamentary secretary Richard Marles will travel to China on August 4-9 to explore greater opportunities for Australia exports and investment.

The pair will bring with them about 100 Australian companies' representatives from services industries in green building and design, education, financial and professional services, IT, health, culture and logistics.

"Here's a great opportunity for Australia to put our best foot forward in high-end service exports," Emerson told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. "This is the biggest business delegation to leave our shores."

Emerson said China is moving from an export-led growth model to one driven more by consumer demand and rapid urbanization.

He added that the size and scope of the mission reflected China's importance to Australia's economic future.

"While resources will remain a key component of our trade, there is growing demand for a range of other products and services that Australia is well-placed to supply."

During the six-days trip, Emerson, Marles and the Australian representatives will travel to five of China's cities -- Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Changsha, Guangzhou and Shanghai.