Biggest Importing Industries in Australia in 2024

1. Petroleum Refining and Petroleum Fuel Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $46.8B

The Petroleum Refining and Petroleum Fuel Manufacturing industry has faced highly volatile conditions over recent years, as the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked turmoil on global energy supply chains. The global situation filtered down to Australia's petroleum market, contributing to the closure of two of Australia's last four remaining oil refineries. BP closed its refinery in Kwinana, while ExxonMobil shut down the Altona refinery. The closures resulted in these two energy giants leaving the industry altogether. Both the closed refineries were converted into import terminals, which meant that they directly intensified import competition in the industry. Overall, industry revenue is expected fall... Learn More

2. Motor Vehicle Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $42.8B

Import competition from a globalised market has eroded the revenue of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturing industry. Domestic manufacturers have been hurt by high imports while receiving less in government support. Nonetheless, some segments of the industry benefited from increased freight task and business confidence, including trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. Major players Volvo and PACCAR are anticipated to continue industry domination with the two remaining major truck manufacturers are projected to expand in the market and sustain their dominant position.

Local production volumes have fallen due to a range of factors, including free trade agreements with major car manufacturing countries like South... Learn More

3. Pharmaceutical Product Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $18.6B

Favourable demand factors have driven revenue growth in recent years, including an ageing population and a greater incidence of chronic disease. Increased local and global demand for consumer healthcare products has also benefited several participants. However, ongoing challenges including a changing regulatory and risk environment and reform-driven pricing pressures have constrained the industry's growth. Ongoing PBS reforms have heavily influenced manufacturers over the period, as mandatory price disclosures and a greater reliance on generic drugs have continued to reduce prices and added to downward profitability pressures.

The COVID-19 pandemic also added to the challenges, with significant disruptions occurring across global... Learn More

4. Communication Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $16.7B

Firms in the Communication Equipment Manufacturing Industry have faced varied trading conditions over the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic weakened industry demand in downstream markets over the period. In addition, imports from low-cost producers, such as China and Vietnam, have penetrated the market, as operators in these countries have been able to take advantage of lower labour and manufacturing costs. This trend has significantly reduced local operators' competitiveness over the period. Imports have risen as a share of domestic demand despite the Australian dollar depreciating over the same period. Industry revenue is expected to decrease at an annualised 3.0%... Learn More

5. Computer and Electronic Office Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $14.8B

The Computer and Electronic Office Equipment Manufacturing industry's performance has improved over the past five years, as industry operators have focused on securing long-term sales contracts with business, government and education clients. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 4.7% over the five years through 2022-23, to $1.44 billion. Although imports have continued to dominate the industry and satisfy most domestic demand over the period, a depreciating Australian dollar has reduced domestic operators' purchasing power in the international market, driving up purchase costs and exerting downward pressure on industry profit margins and revenue. While industry revenue is expected... Learn More

6. Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $11.7B

The Mining and Construction Machinery Manufacturing industry has experienced mixed demand conditions in recent years. Activity in the mining and construction sectors drives industry performance, so capital expenditure by either sector benefits the industry. However, cost pressures and heightened import competition have caused industry profitability to fall and forced some firms to exit the industry. Other firms have been forced to restructure their operations, moving some production offshore to take advantage of lower manufacturing costs. Overall, industry revenue has grown by an annualised 3.4% over the five years through 2022-23, to reach $4.6 billion. This trend includes growth of 1.3%... Learn More

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

Imports for 2024: $9.2B

The Power Automation Products and Other Electrical Equipment Manufacturing industry have benefited from the growing importance of renewable energy. Manufacturers have successfully capitalised on the opportunities presented by the rising need for businesses, governments and consumers to reduce their carbon emissions. The industry includes manufacturers that produce a wide range of electrical products, including switchboards, transformers, industrial batteries, generators, power automation systems and a variety of other electrical components. Many of these products are crucial facets of the energy transition. Electrical equipment like new switchgear units or power transformers can offer businesses of all types an opportunity to improve their... Learn More

8. Oil and Gas Extraction in Australia

Imports for 2024: $9.2B

Oil and gas producers have experienced significant revenue volatility. Changes in oil and gas prices, exchange rate movements, annual production volumes, and domestic and export demand for oil and gas all influence performance. Output has expanded over the past decade, while world oil and natural gas prices have displayed significant volatility.

Australia's natural gas production, which makes up most of the industry has soared over the past decade as new gas fields have been developed to feed Australia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. Global trade in LNG has expanded with growing demand for LNG in Asian markets and weakness in the... Learn More

9. Medical and Surgical Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $8.9B

Medical and surgical equipment manufacturers are thriving, unlike most other manufacturing industries which are dwindling because of a hike in production costs and fierce import competition. Australia's ageing population and expanding healthcare sector have boosted domestic demand for medical and surgical equipment. Yet, it was the outbreak of COVID-19 that caused sales to explode, surging up 31.9% in 2020-21. The pandemic intensified demand for medical and surgical equipment across private and public hospitals, with mainly using ventilators, infusion systems and renal care products in intensive care units to treat the virus. While demand for these goods strengthened, lockdown periods and... Learn More

10. Audio Visual Electronic Equipment Manufacturing in Australia

Imports for 2024: $8.5B

Audio visual electronic equipment manufacturers have faced challenging trading conditions . A high level of globalisation has characterised the Audio Visual Electronic Equipment Manufacturing industry in recent years, as imports account for a considerable portion of domestic demand. Foreign manufacturers have placed significant competitive pressure on manufacturers, with low-cost overseas manufacturers that can leverage economies of scale dominating the domestic market. This trend has forced domestic manufacturers to focus on higher quality, specialised items to gain a competitive advantage on quality rather than a price basis.

The Audio Visual Electronic Equipment Manufacturing industry is highly fragmented, with a low level... Learn More