Australia ImportsApril 2023 Data - 1971-2022 Historical - May Forecast - Calendar

Imports of goods and services to Australia rose by 2.0% mom to AUD 44.03 billion in March 2023, amid strength in domestic consumption as the economy fully reemerged from pandemic restrictions. Purchases of consumption goods soared 14.1% to AUD 11.48 billion, boosted by non-industrial transport equipment (23.9%), consumption goods n.e.s. (15.7%), and textiles, clothing (7.9%). Meantime, imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods edged up 0.1% to AUD 15.34 billion, mainly supported by other parts for capital goods. On the flip side, purchases of capital goods dropped 2.5%, weighed down by civil aircraft and confidentialised items. Also, imports of services contracted by 1.3%, due to transport (-3.6%). Purchases of non-monetary gold fell 5.5% to AUD 742 million.

Imports of goods and services to Australia dropped 9.1% mom to a ten-month low of AUD 43.17 billion in February 2023 due to weakening domestic demand amid rising inflation. Purchases of consumption goods plunged 19.3% to AUD 10.11 billion, dragged by food and beverages, mainly for consumption (-15%); non-industrial transport equipment (-35.1%); and consumption goods n.e.s. (-15.8%). At the same time, arrivals of capital goods slumped 14.6% to AUD 8.36 billion due to industrial transport equipment n.e.s. (-38.6%); machinery & industrial equipment (-3.2%); and capital goods n.e.s (-10.8%). Also, services imports shrank 5.4% to AUD 8.58 billion, led by transport (-14.0%) and other services (-4.7%). Meanwhile, imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods fell 1.0% to AUD 15.34 billion, dragged by processed industrial supplies n.e.s (-1.7%) and other parts for capital goods (-3.4%). Conversely, arrivals of non-monetary gold surged 31.7% to AUD 785 million.

Imports of goods and services to Australia climbed 5.0% mom to a four-month high of AUD 47.16 billion in January 2023, amid an acceleration in domestic demand as the economy fully reopened after COVID curbs and supply chain disruptions eased further. Purchases of consumption goods surged 11.7% to AUD 12.67 billion, boosted by non-industrial transport equipment (30.9%) and consumption goods n.e.s. (3.6%). Also, arrivals of capital goods jumped 10.0% to AUD 9.80 billion, driven by industrial transport equipment n.e.s. (57%). Imports of services grew by 2.9% to AUD 8.80 billion, led by travel (1.1%) and other services (0.1%). Meanwhile, arrivals of non-monetary gold soared 22.4% to AUD 596 million. By contrast, imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods shrank 3.2% to AUD 15.29 billion, dragged by fuels and lubricants (-7.4%) and processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (-2.1%).