Biggest Importing Industries in Australia in 2022

1. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $30.5B

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 period, consumers have increasingly favoured smaller, fuel-efficient cars and cars that provide a combination of comfort and utility. The high cost of Australian production contributed to the two remaining domestic passenger motor vehicle (PMV) manufacturers, Toyota and... Learn More

2. Petroleum Refining and Petroleum Fuel Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $22.9B

Operators in the Petroleum Refining and Petroleum Fuel Manufacturing industry 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 rising import penetration have negatively affected the industry over the past five years. However, growth in global oil prices in the current year is expected to... Learn More

3. Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $14.7B

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, industry operators have 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. Communication Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $13.3B

Firms in the communication Equipment Manufacturing Industry produce a range of telecommunication, broadcasting and transceiver equipment. The industry has faced multiple challenges over the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic weakened industry demand in downstream markets over the three years through 2021-22. In addition, the Australian dollar has depreciated and remained weak over the past five years, limiting import penetration over the period. However, imports from low-cost producers, such as China and Vietnam, have still penetrated the market over the period, as operators in these countries can take advantage of lower labour and manufacturing costs. This trend has significantly reduced... Learn More

5. Computer and Electronic Office Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $13.1B

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 1.7% over the five years through 2021-22, to $1.21 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 and profitability. Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a boost in demand for laptops and notebooks, as many Australians have shifted towards working and studying from home.... Learn More

6. Copper Tubes and Wire Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $11.2B

Firms in the Copper Tubes and Wire Manufacturing industry have faced difficult trading conditions over the past five years. Foreign manufacturers have placed significant competitive pressure on industry operators over the period, with low-cost manufacturers from Papua New Guinea and Thailand dominating the domestic market. These manufacturers typically operate with lower labour and overhead costs than Australian manufacturers, allowing them to pass on cost savings to customers through lower prices without reducing profitability. Competition from substitute products has also intensified over the past five years. Aluminium products have increasingly been used as a substitute for copper in automotive equipment manufacturing.... Learn More

7. Measurement and Other Scientific Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $7.8B

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, and households. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 8.3% over the five years through 2021-22, to $2.8 billion. This includes a drop of 0.2% in the current year due to reduced demand from construction and lower private capital expenditure on machinery and equipment.

Continued growth in competing imports has hindered industry revenue growth over the past five... Learn More

8. Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $6.7B

Operators in the Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing industry have contended with mixed demand conditions over the past five years. The industry is primarily supported by demand from the mining and construction sectors, so expenditure on capital by either sector benefits the industry. However, cost pressures and heightened import competition have forced several firms to exit the industry over the period. Other firms have restructured their operations over the past five years, moving some production offshore to take advantage of lower manufacturing costs. Overall, industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 1.4% over the five years through 2021-22,... Learn More

9. Audio Visual Electronic Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2022: $6.4B

Operators in the Audio Visual Electronic Equipment Manufacturing industry have faced difficult trading conditions over the past five years. The industry is highly fragmented, with a low level of market concentration and multiple diverse product segments. Industry revenue is expected to decrease at an annualised 4.8% over the five years through 2021-22, to $2.0 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to reduced demand from key markets such as commercial and industrial construction. Revenue is also forecast to decrease by 0.3% in 2021-22, with export volumes and commercial and industrial building activity expected to fall sharply in the current year.

The industry... Learn More

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

Imports for 2022: $6.2B

The Power Automation Products and Other Electrical Equipment Manufacturing industry has faced fluctuating conditions over the past five years. Import penetration has increased over the period, presenting industry players with intense and rising competition from low-cost imports. Industry operators also compete with technologically advanced manufacturers in the United States, Germany and Austria. However, increasing investment in renewable energy has led to several large-scale projects stimulating demand for industry products. In addition, a depreciating Australian dollar has improved export demand, as industry products have become more price-competitive in foreign markets. These factors have helped to offset the effects of import penetration... Learn More