Australia’s goods imports rose 5.8% month-on-month to a record AUD 46.94 billion in August 2026, rebounding from a marginally revised 2.4% decline in July. The strong recovery was led by higher capital goods imports and a sharp increase in purchases of non-monetary gold.
Capital goods imports surged 22.3% to AUD 13.21 billion, supported by large gains in ADP equipment (up 79.3%), civil aircraft and confidentialised items (up 29.8%), telecommunication equipment (up 12.0%), and machinery and industrial equipment (up 2.4%). Imports of non-monetary gold also jumped, soaring 91.1% to AUD 3.16 billion.
By contrast, imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods fell 2.2% to AUD 17.81 billion, reflecting lower purchases of fuels and lubricants (down 5.0%) and processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (down 3.7%). Consumption goods imports declined 7.0% to AUD 12.76 billion, weighed down by non-industrial transport equipment (down 21.2%) and consumption goods n.e.s. (down 3.5%).
