Australia’s private new capital expenditure jumped 6.5% quarter-over-quarter in the first quarter of 2026, a sharp acceleration from the modest 0.4% increase recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data updated on 28 May 2026.
The figure, which measures business spending on new buildings and equipment, indicates a robust rebound in corporate investment activity. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the latest reading shows that firms significantly stepped up their capital outlays at the start of 2026, compared with the relatively flat expansion seen at the end of 2025.
The comparison underscores a clear shift in momentum: while the previous quarter’s 0.4% gain suggested cautious investment behavior, the first-quarter 2026 rise to 6.5% points to renewed confidence in the economic outlook and a stronger pipeline of business projects. The data compare changes in each quarter against the immediately preceding quarter, highlighting the marked improvement in investment growth as the new year began.
