Australia Imports Drop to 5-Month Low

Australia’s goods imports fell 2.5% month-over-month to a five-month low of AUD 44.34 billion in July 2026, steeper than a revised 0.7% decline in the previous month amid sluggish domestic demand and soft business spending. Imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods plunged 7.8% to AUD 18.28 billion, dragged down by lower purchases of fuels and lubricants (-12.3%), processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (-4.7%), and other parts for capital goods (-1.7%). Also, purchases of non-monetary gold tumbled 31.1% to AUD 1.65 billion. In contrast, capital goods imports jumped 6.7% to AUD 10.74 billion, boosted by ADP equipment (50.4%), industrial transport equipment (7.6%), and civil aircraft and confidentialised items (16.6%). Meanwhile,  consumption goods imports increased 3.5% to AUD 13.67 billion, lifted by non-industrial transport equipment (8.2%), food and beverages mainly for consumption (3.6%), and consumption goods n.e.s. (2.8%).

Australia’s goods imports edged down 0.2% month-over-month to AUD 46.76 billion in June 2026, shifting from a downwardly revised 0.9% growth in the prior month, as softer domestic demand and weaker business spending weighed on purchase activity. Imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods fell 0.6% to AUD 19.81 billion, dragged down by lower purchases of fuels and lubricants (-11.9%) and organic and inorganic chemicals (-12.8%), reflecting weaker industrial demand and lower energy-related imports. Capital goods imports declined 4.5% to AUD 10.66 billion, weighed by ADP equipment (-24.3%), industrial transport equipment (-15.3%), and telecommunication equipment (-9.3%). Meanwhile, consumption goods imports slipped 0.8% to AUD 13.10 billion, led by declines in non-industrial transport equipment (-5.9%), food and beverages mainly for consumption (-4.2%), and textiles, clothing and footwear (-0.7%). In contrast, imports of non-monetary gold surged 35.6% to AUD 2.40 billion.

Australia’s goods imports rose 2.6% month-over-month to a fresh record of AUD 46.63 billion in May 2026, picking up from a downwardly revised 0.2% gain in the prior month amid resilient domestic demand. Imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods grew 0.3% to AUD 20.72 billion, supported by higher purchases of processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (3.8%) and fuels and lubricants (0.5%), as elevated energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict lifted import values. In addition, capital goods imports climbed 8.2% to AUD 10.86 billion, driven by civil aircraft and confidentialised items (164.1%), industrial transport equipment n.e.s. (4.2%), machinery and industrial equipment (1.8%), and other capital goods (1.6%). Consumption goods imports increased 7.9% to AUD 13.29 billion, led by non-industrial transport equipment (24.6%) and textiles, clothing and footwear (12.4%). In contrast, imports of non-monetary gold plunged 27.9% to AUD 1.77 billion.