Australia Imports Extend Decline

Australia’s goods imports rose 0.8% mom to AUD 41.43 billion in January 2026, rebounding from a revised 1.8% decline in the prior month and pointing to firmer domestic demand at the start of the year. Capital goods imports increased 5.1% to AUD 10.17 billion, driven by a sharp rise in ADP equipment (50.4%) and civil aircraft and confidentialised items (47.8%), alongside a modest gain in machinery and industrial equipment (1.3%). Non-monetary gold imports also surged 46.8% to AUD 3.31 billion, likely reflecting heightened trading activity amid elevated global prices. In contrast, intermediate and other merchandise goods fell 4.5% to AUD 15.91 billion, weighed by lower purchases of fuels and lubricants (-13.7%), processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (-1.3%), and transport equipment parts (-0.3%). Meanwhile, consumption goods imports slipped 3.7%, dragged down by non-industrial transport equipment (-5.5%), food and beverages (-5.4%), and and textiles, clothing and footwear (-1.0%).

Australia’s goods imports dropped 0.8% month-on-month to a three-month low of AUD 41.26 billion in December 2025, steeper than a downwardly revised 0.2% decline in the previous month. The latest result indicated weaker domestic demand at the year-end and cautious business investment amid an uncertain global outlook. Purchases of intermediate and other merchandise goods shrank 1.3% to AUD 16.72 billion, primarily weighed by other merchandise goods (-76.9%), parts for transport equipment (-7.2%), and processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (-4.7%). Imports of capital goods also fell 2.5% to AUD 9.65 billion, dragged by capital goods n.e.s (-12.1%), telecommunication equipment (-3.4%), and machinery and industrial equipment(-0.5%). In contrast, consumption goods grew 0.8% to AUD 12.64 billion, supported by textiles, clothing and footwear (4.1%) and food and beverages, mainly for consumption (2.0%). Meanwhile, purchases of non-monetary gold added 1.5% to AUD 2.26 billion.

Australia’s goods imports edged up 0.2% month-on-month to a new high of AUD 41.64 billion in November 2025. It followed an upwardly revised 2.4% growth in the previous month, reflecting steady domestic demand heading into the year-end holiday season. Purchases of intermediate and other merchandise goods increased 5.3% to AUD 17.02 billion, primarily driven by processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (14.8%) and parts for transport equipment (1.2%). In contrast, imports of consumption goods declined 1.9% to AUD 12.56 billion, weighed by consumption goods n.e.s (-5.0%), textiles, clothing and footwear (-2.1%), and food and beverages, mainly for consumption (-2.0%). Also, arrivals of capital goods shrank 2.8% to AUD 9.833 billion, dragged by machinery and industrial equipment(-9.3%) and civil aircraft and confidentialised items(-39.3%). Further, purchases of non-monetary gold slipped 10.8% to AUD 2.22 billion.