Australia’s services sector registered a marked acceleration in growth at the start of the year, with the Judo Bank Services PMI rising to 56.3 in January 2026 from a previous reading of 51.1. The latest figure, released on 3 February 2026, firmly positions the index in expansion territory, indicating a stronger pace of activity across the country’s service industries.
The move from just above the 50.0 threshold, which separates contraction from expansion, to the mid‑50s suggests a broad-based improvement in conditions compared with the earlier January 2026 reading. The stronger PMI print points to heightened business activity and potentially firmer demand in sectors such as finance, hospitality, and professional services, all key components of Australia’s service-driven economy.
With the January 2026 services PMI now at 56.3, market participants and policymakers alike are likely to view the data as a positive signal for Australia’s near-term economic momentum, especially given the sector’s central role in overall growth and employment.
