Australia Import Growth Eases Significantly

2026-06-04 01:34 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

Australia’s goods imports rose 0.8% month-over-month in April 2026, easing sharply from a downwardly revised 12.2% surge in the previous month as domestic demand moderated and businesses scaled back purchases following March’s strong increase.

Despite the slower pace of growth, imports climbed to a fresh record high of AUD 45.44 billion.

Purchases of intermediate and other merchandise goods jumped 15.0% to AUD 20.63 billion, driven by fuels and lubricants (41.4%) amid higher prices linked to the Middle East conflict, and other parts for capital goods (5.8%).

In contrast, imports of capital goods fell 16.4% to AUD 9.99 billion, weighed by ADP equipment (-41.7%), telecommunications equipment (-18.0%), and machinery and industrial equipment (-2.3%).

Also, arrivals of consumption goods dropped 1.6% to AUD 12.33 billion, dragged down by textiles, clothing and footwear (-14.8%), and consumption goods n.e.s.

(-4.8%).

Separately, non-monetary gold imports were 6.5% lower to AUD 2.45 billion.



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Australia Import Growth Eases Significantly
Australia’s goods imports rose 0.8% month-over-month in April 2026, easing sharply from a downwardly revised 12.2% surge in the previous month as domestic demand moderated and businesses scaled back purchases following March’s strong increase. Despite the slower pace of growth, imports climbed to a fresh record high of AUD 45.44 billion. Purchases of intermediate and other merchandise goods jumped 15.0% to AUD 20.63 billion, driven by fuels and lubricants (41.4%) amid higher prices linked to the Middle East conflict, and other parts for capital goods (5.8%). In contrast, imports of capital goods fell 16.4% to AUD 9.99 billion, weighed by ADP equipment (-41.7%), telecommunications equipment (-18.0%), and machinery and industrial equipment (-2.3%). Also, arrivals of consumption goods dropped 1.6% to AUD 12.33 billion, dragged down by textiles, clothing and footwear (-14.8%), and consumption goods n.e.s. (-4.8%). Separately, non-monetary gold imports were 6.5% lower to AUD 2.45 billion.
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