Asus, which is today set to roll out its new Eee PCs in Australia, has admitted that stock may be in short supply due to “serious shortages”.

In some countries Asustek Computer has pushed back the launch of its Eee PCs because of the shortage of the popular low-cost notebooks, according to Benson Lin, president of the company’s Asia Pacific and Taiwan business unit.

Lin said Asustek originally planned to introduce Eee PCs in 15 more Asian markets in November, but the shortage has prompted the company to postpone the launch dates towards the end of the year for 10 of the countries.

Eee PCs are currently available in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia, and the low-cost systems are expected to hit the Japanese market in the first quarter of 2008, according to Lin.

He said the company aims to ship 20,000 Eee PCs in Taiwan this month, with the new system expected to account for half of the company’s entire notebook shipments to Taiwan for the fourth quarter.

Lin said strong demand has been coming from the insurance, securities, realty and supplementary education sectors. Local retail channels have reported a turnover rate of only one day for Eee PCs, meaning the systems are sold as soon as they hit store shelves, Lin added.

Asustek introduced its first LED-backlit notebook, the 11-inch U1F, in March 2007.