Australia’s goods imports rose 0.8% month-on-month to AUD 41.43 billion in January 2026, rebounding from a revised 1.8% decline in December and indicating firmer domestic demand at the start of the year.
Capital goods imports increased 5.1% to AUD 10.17 billion, supported by a sharp rise in ADP equipment (50.4%) and in civil aircraft and confidentialised items (47.8%), alongside a modest gain in machinery and industrial equipment (1.3%). Non-monetary gold imports also jumped 46.8% to AUD 3.31 billion, likely reflecting stronger trading activity amid elevated global prices.
By contrast, imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods fell 4.5% to AUD 15.91 billion, weighed down by lower purchases of fuels and lubricants (-13.7%), processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (-1.3%), and transport equipment parts (-0.3%). Meanwhile, consumption goods imports declined 3.7%, driven by reduced imports of non-industrial transport equipment (-5.5%), food and beverages (-5.4%), and textiles, clothing and footwear (-1.0%).
