Biggest Importing Industries in Australia in 2021

1. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $27.5B

Import competition from a globalised market has eroded the revenue of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry over the past five years. Local production volumes have fallen due to a range of factors, including the signing of free trade agreements with major car manufacturing countries like South Korea and Japan, and the inability of local manufacturers to adapt to shifting consumer preferences. Over the past five years, consumers have increasingly favoured smaller, fuel-efficient cars and cars that provide a combination of comfort and utility, such as SUVs. The high cost of Australian production contributed to the two remaining domestic passenger vehicle... Learn More

2. Petroleum Refining and Petroleum Fuel Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $25.7B

Four major oil refineries generate almost all revenue in the Petroleum Refining and Petroleum Fuel Manufacturing industry. These oil refineries process crude oil into a range of fuels and secondary products that are then sold to downstream markets. Crude oil purchase costs dominate the industry's cost structure. The cost of this input, in conjunction with fluctuations in the value of the Australian dollar, contributes to significant revenue volatility, as world crude oil prices are typically passed on to downstream markets.

Declines in refinery output and surging import penetration have negatively affected the industry over the past five years. Consequently, industry revenue... Learn More

3. Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $15.9B

Several favourable demand factors have affected the Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing industry over the past five years, including an ageing population and a greater incidence of chronic disease. Increased local and global demand for consumer healthcare products has also benefited some industry operators. However, the industry has faced several challenges over the period, including a changing regulatory and risk environment, and reform-driven pricing pressures. Ongoing PBS reforms have heavily influenced the industry over the period, as mandatory price disclosures have continued to reduce prices. Rising competition from generic drugs has also constrained the industry's performance.

Industry revenue is expected to increase at... Learn More

4. Computer and Electronic Office Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $13.5B

The Computer and Electronic Office Equipment Manufacturing industry has expanded over the past five years, primarily due to a shift towards servicing clients in the private and public sectors. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 1.6% over the five years through 2020-21, to $1.2 billion. Despite a weak Australian dollar over the past five years, imports have continued to dominate the market for computer products, which has limited revenue growth. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a short term boost in demand for laptops and notebooks, as many Australians shift towards working and studying from home. However,... Learn More

5. Communication Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $12.4B

The Communication Equipment Manufacturing industry has faced mixed conditions over the past five years. Import penetration has increased over the period as overseas producers, in countries such as China and Vietnam, have benefited from a comparative advantage due to their lower manufacturing costs. Imports make up a significant proportion of domestic demand, making it harder for domestic producers of the same products to compete. Increasing imports of these low-cost functional products have caused many domestic players to cease mass-producing generic communication items, such as telephone equipment. Domestic producers have benefited from manufacturing niche products, such as radio frequency augmenting equipment,... Learn More

6. Oil and Gas Extraction in Australia

Imports for 2020: $9.1B

The Oil and Gas Extraction industry has grown over the past five years, despite exhibiting high volatility. Changes in oil and gas prices, exchange rate movements, domestic and export demand for oil and gas, and annual production volumes all influence the industry's performance. Industry output has expanded over the past five years, while world oil and natural gas prices have declined. Australian natural gas production, which makes up most of the industry, is expected to increase at an annualised 12.4% over the five years through 2020-21. Although the world price of natural gas has fallen over the period, industry revenue... Learn More

7. Measurement and Other Scientific Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $7.5B

The Measurement and Other Scientific Equipment Manufacturing industry produces a range of measurement, analytical and scientific equipment, including laboratory, analytical, measuring, meteorological, radar, navigational and surveying instruments and equipment. The industry's downstream markets include manufacturing, construction, healthcare, education and defence companies. Despite intense import penetration over the past five years, the industry has grown at a solid pace, due to a surge in 2017-18 as the construction division and private capital expenditure on machinery and equipment surged. However, some domestic companies have struggled to compete with the range of goods that are manufactured overseas. The price points of these imported... Learn More

8. Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $6.7B

The Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing industry has experienced volatile demand conditions over the past five years. Actual capital expenditure on mining has declined over the period as mining firms have shifted their focus from investment in new capacity to resource extraction. These trends have constrained demand for mining equipment, reducing industry revenue over the period. Falling demand for mining machinery has been somewhat offset by rising property values supporting construction activity over the period. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 is expected to weigh heavily on construction activity over the two years through 2020-21, negatively affecting industry demand.

Some firms have... Learn More

9. Audio Visual Electronic Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $6.4B

The Audio Visual Electronic Equipment Manufacturing industry has performed well over the past five years. Increasing industry exports have fuelled revenue growth over the period, aided by the weak Australian dollar. The Federal Government's and private security firms' increased spending on defence-related products has also boosted revenue. Despite high import penetration, industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 5.1% over the five years through 2020-21, to $3.1 billion. However, this includes a forecast decrease of 5.5% in the current year, due to lower exports and reduced demand from key markets such as commercial and industrial construction as a... Learn More

10. Power Automation Products and Other Electrical Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2020: $6.2B

The Power Automation Products and Other Electrical Equipment Manufacturing industry has faced challenging conditions over the past five years. Import penetration has increased over the period, as the appreciating Australian dollar has contributed to import growth. Industry operators have therefore faced intense and rising competition from low-cost imports. Industry players also compete with technologically advanced manufacturers in the United States, South Korea and Germany. However, increasing investment in renewable energy has helped to offset the effects of import penetration on industry revenue, as several major projects increased demand for industry products. Overall, industry revenue is anticipated to increase at an... Learn More