8567.0 - Hire Industries, Australia, 1999-2000  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 02/10/2001   
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MEDIA RELEASE

October 02, 2001
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
123/2001

Australia's hire industries generate $2.6 billion in income

Australia's plant hiring and leasing industry, together with the personal and household goods hiring industry, generated $2.6 billion in income during 1999-2000, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Plant hiring and leasing industry

The plant hiring and leasing industry generated $2.2 billion in income during 1999-2000. The main sources of income came from the hiring of scaffolding ($237 million (m)), access equipment ($187m), cranes ($162m) and earthmoving equipment ($162m). In addition, the industry received income from the hire of forklifts ($107m), transport equipment ($104m) and other construction equipment ($350m).

Total expenses for the industry were $2.0 billion, with labour costs accounting for $630m. Other significant expenses incurred by the industry were depreciation of plant and equipment for hire ($244m), rent, leasing and hiring expenses ($169m), and repair and maintenance of hire equipment ($154m).

The plant hiring and leasing industry recorded an operating profit before tax during 1999-2000 of $225m, which translates into an operating profit margin of 10.4 per cent.

The industry employed 13,044 people at the end of June 2000. The majority were males (83 per cent or 10,769).

The industry was dominated by 36 businesses who employed 50 or more people. These large businesses accounted for 56 per cent of employment, 65 per cent of income and 73 per cent of the operating profit before tax of the industry.

Personal and household goods hiring industry

The total income generated by the personal and household goods hiring industry during 1999-2000 was $360m. The main sources were from the hiring of televisions, radios, VCRs and related equipment ($122m), event/exhibition goods and equipment ($74m) and whitegoods ($49m).

The industry had total expenses of $327m during 1999-2000. The most significant expenses were labour costs ($102m), depreciation of hire equipment ($58m), and rent, leasing and hiring expenses ($31m).

The personal and household goods hiring industry recorded an operating margin of 7.2 per cent during 1999-2000 following an operating profit before tax of $294m.

At the end of June 2000, there were 3,493 people employed by the personal and household good hiring industry, with 2,119 (61 per cent) being employed on a permanent full-time basis.

Details are in Hire Industries, Australia 1999-2000 (cat. no. 8567.0). If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication contact the ABS Bookshop in your capital city.