International Trade: Supplementary Information, Calendar Year

Latest release

Detailed calendar year statistics on international trade in goods and services, by country and state

Reference period
2022

Key statistics

  • Australia's balance on goods and services was a surplus of $155,730m in the 2022 calendar year.
  • Total goods and services exports increased $149,786m (29%) to $668,940m.
  • Total goods and services imports increased $127,754m (33%) to $513,210m.

Main features

Total exports

Total exports increased 29% in the 2022 calendar year, driven by commodity prices remaining elevated.

The top 5 exporting partners for Australia are:

  1. China, down $4,332m (-2%) to $184,721m
  2. Japan, up $54,648m (84%) to $119,733m
  3. Korea, Republic of (South), up $16,022m (42%) to $53,875m
  4. India, up $10,270m (42%) to $34,847m
  5. United States of America, up $6,644m (28%) to $30,690m

These five countries make up 63% of Australia’s total international trade in exports.

 

Total imports

Total imports increased 33% in the 2022 calendar year, driven by increases in both goods and services.

The top 5 importing partners for Australia are:

  1. China, up $20,951m (22%) to $114,244m
  2. United States of America, up $12,612m (29%) to $56,662m
  3. Singapore, up $11,388m (65%) to $28,891m
  4. Korea, Republic of (South), up $14,695m (111%) to $27,920m
  5. Japan, up $15,578m (131%) to $27,431m

These five countries make up 50% of Australia’s total international trade in imports.

 

Trade in Services

  • The balance on trade in services was a deficit of -$21,571m
  • Services credits (exports) increased $14,912m (25%) to $74,392m

  • Service debits (imports) increased $40,741m (74%) to $95,963m

Please note: When referencing pre COVID-19 levels, the 2019 year has been used as the reference point for comparison.

Services exports

Services exports increased 25% in 2022, with Travel services driving the increase from 2021.

Outside of Travel services, the largest increases were seen in:

  • Transport,
  • Other business services, and
  • Telecommunications, computer and information services.

 

Services exports by state

New South Wales accounted for 49% of all services exports, steady from 2021 and up from 43% when compared to pre COVID-19 levels. Victoria remained the second largest state, accounting for 26%, also steady from 2021 but down from 28% pre COVID-19.

In 2022, the largest increases in total services exports by State were New South Wales, up 25% ($7,298m), Victoria, up 23% ($3,559m) and Queensland, up 40% ($2,437m). Compared to pre COVID-19 levels, NSW was at 85%, Victoria was at 68% and Queensland 58%.

 

Services exports by country

In 2022 the United States of America was Australia’s largest services export partner, accounting for 13% of total services exports, and overtaking China for the first time since 2010. Services exports to the United States of America increased 33% from 2021, with the total value of services exports now at 97% of that recorded pre COVID-19. 

Total exports to China were up 4% in 2022, but were still 50% below pre COVID-19 levels. China’s Zero-COVID measures continued throughout 2022, which restricted inbound travellers from China while other countries, including the United States of America, had open borders resulting in higher increases in Other personal travel. The United States of America also had stronger rises in Other business services compared to China. 

Proportion of services exports, by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

China9,097     15United States of America9,871     13
United States of America7,442     13China9,503     13
Asia, nes5,096       9Asia, nes6,448       9
India5,006       8India5,561       7
United Kingdom3,990       7United Kingdom5,526       7
New Zealand3,297       6New Zealand4,871       7
Singapore2,997       5Singapore4,679       6
Hong Kong1,483       2Hong Kong1,820       2
America, nes1,457       2Ireland1,747       2
Ireland1,443       2America, nes1,627       2
All other countries18,172     31All other countries22,739     32
Total59,480   100Total74,392   100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

Services imports

Services imports increased 74% in 2022, with Travel and Transport services driving the increase from 2021.

In 2022, Transport services was the largest services category increasing 82% from 2021. Transport Services accounted for 35% of total services imports, up from 33% in 2021 and 18% in 2019. Transport services are 79% above pre COVID-19 levels.

Travel services are 46% of pre COVID-19 levels with the easing of COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

 

Services imports by state

In 2022, all states and territories recorded rises in total services imports driven by notable rises in Transport and Travel services.

New South Wales accounted for 47% of all services imports in 2022, down from 52% in 2021. Victoria remained the second largest accounting for 25% of all services, up from 22% in 2021.

The largest increases across States were New South Wales, up 57%, Victoria, up 93% and Queensland, up 114%. These states are all nearing pre COVID-19 levels, with New South Wales exceeding its pre COVID-19 value, Victoria at 94% of its pre COVID-19 value and Queensland at 81% of its pre COVID-19 value.

Services imports by country

United States of America remained Australia’s largest services import partner in 2022, accounting for 14% of the total services imports. Imports to the United States of America increased 43% in 2022, driven by Travel and Other business services. The value of services imports to the United States of America in 2022 is 74% of that recorded pre COVID-19.

Proportion of services imports (a), by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

United States of America-9,530           17United States of America-13,617         14
United Kingdom-6,097           11Singapore-9,427         10
Singapore-4,691             8United Kingdom-8,781           9
Germany-4,062             7Germany-6,353           7
Hong Kong-3,119             6New Zealand-6,164           6
Ireland-2,928             5Asia, nes-5,227           5
New Zealand-2,764             5India-3,637           4
Asia, nes-2,549             5Hong Kong-3,624           4
Japan-1,818             3Ireland-3,246           3
China-1,744             3Europe, nes-3,009           3
All other countries-15,920           29All other countries-32,878         34
Total-55,222         100Total-95,963      100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals
(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory notes.

Detailed exports of services

Travel services

Travel services made up 47% of the total services exports value in 2022, up from 38% in 2021, but well below its pre COVID-19 proportion of 65%. 

Exports of Travel services increased 54% in 2022, with Education-related travel remaining the largest component of Travel exports.

The increase in Travel services in 2022 was driven by Other personal travel, with all states and territories recording an increase. Business and Education-related travel also increased, with rises across most states and territories with only Tasmania and the Northern Territory recording small decreases in Education-related travel.

The largest increases in Travel services were recorded by New South Wales, up 57% ($4,560m) and Victoria, up 49% ($3,443m). Similar to the national total, both these states remained well below pre COVID-19 levels, at only 54% and 53% of 2019 values respectively.

 

Almost all countries recorded an increase in Travel services in 2022. China remained Australia’s largest exporter of Travel services, driven by Education-related travel. China accounted for 18% of Travel exports in 2022, down from 20% in 2021 and 26% pre COVID-19.

Proportion of Travel exports, by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

China4,464     20China6,095     18
India4,244     19India5,042     15
Nepal2,130       9Nepal2,651       8
Vietnam975       4New Zealand1,793       5
Malaysia716       3Vietnam1,325       4
All other countries10,086     45All other countries17,849     50
Total22,615   100Total34,755   100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

Education-related travel services

Education-related travel services remained Australia’s largest services export in 2022, increasing $4,567m from 2021. As with overall Travel services, this value is still lower than pre COVID-19 levels, at only 66% of the value recorded in 2019. With international borders re-opening in late 2021, international students slowly began returning to study in Australia, but student numbers are still below those seen in 2019.

Education-related travel increased in all states and territories in 2022. The largest increases in Education-related travel exports were in New South Wales, up 24% ($1,900m), and Victoria, up 21% ($1,460m). These were 67% and 62% of pre COVID-19 values respectively.

Education travel exports, by state

 

2021 ($m)

2022 ($m)

2021 to 2022 ($m)

2021 to 2022 (%)

New South Wales7,8159,7151,90024
Victoria6,8978,3571,46021
Queensland3,2533,79854517
South Australia1,5981,81621814
Western Australia1,2761,58030424
Tasmania432406-26-6
Northern Territory157144-13-8
Australian Capital Territory59677317730
Total22,02326,5904,56721

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

China remained the largest exporter of Education-related travel services in 2022, increasing 34% from 2021. Exports to China in 2022 were 48% of pre COVID-19 levels. China recorded the largest increase from 2021, followed by Nepal, up 21%.

Proportion of Education travel exports, by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

China4,446     20China5,972     22
India4,218     19India4,408     17
Nepal2,128     10Nepal2,579     10
Vietnam973       4Vietnam1,176       4
Malaysia711       3Indonesia856       3
All other countries9,547     44All other countries11,599     44
Total22,023   100Total26,590   100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

Other personal travel services

Other personal travel recorded the largest increase in 2022 for any service category, up $6,601m, and at 31% of pre COVID-19 levels.

With the easing of pandemic related border restrictions in December 2021, all states and territories recorded increases in 2022. The largest increases were in New South Wales, up $2,259m (1,345%) and Victoria, up $1,718m (1,534%).

Other personal travel exports, by state

 

2021 ($m)

2022 ($m)

2021 to 2022 ($m)

2021 to 2022 (%)

New South Wales1682,4272,2591,345
Victoria1121,8301,7181,534
Queensland791,5371,4581,846
South Australia112362252,045
Western Australia247687443,100
Tasmania579741,480
Northern Territory64741683
Australian Capital Territory788811,157
Total4127,0136,6011,602

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

New Zealand was Australia’s largest export partner of Other personal travel services in 2022, and accounted for 20% of the total, down from 41% in 2021. This reduction in proportion is a result of easing border restrictions leading to increased tourists from other countries. New Zealand exports of Other personal travel in 2022 returned to 62% of pre COVID-19 levels.

Other personal travel exports, by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

New Zealand16841New Zealand1,413     20
United Kingdom4411United Kingdom836     12
United States of America379United States of America627       9
Singapore266Singapore591       8
India195India544       8
All other countries11828All other countries3,002     43
Total412100Total7,013   100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

Transport services

Exports of Transport services increased 47% in 2022, driven by Passenger services which was 47% of the pre COVID-19 level. Overall, Transport services were 71% of those recorded pre COVID-19.

The largest increases in Transport services were in New South Wales, up $771m (64%) to 70% of pre COVID-19 and Victoria, up $501m (44%) to 72% of pre COVID-19. Most states and territories recorded an increase in Transport services exports in 2022, with Passenger services the main driver. 

 

In 2022 Singapore was Australia’s largest export partner for Transport services, increasing 75% from 2021 and accounting for 14% of the total value. Pre COVID-19, the United States of America was the largest export partner of Transport services, accounting for 13% of total Transport services exports, but has dropped to 6% in 2022.

Transport services exports, by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

China458     12Singapore763     14
Singapore437     11New Zealand566     10
Switzerland331       9Switzerland459       8
New Zealand278       7China402       7
Hong Kong269       7United States of America356       6
All other countries2,036     54All other countries3,067     55
Total3,809   100Total5,613   100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

Detailed imports of services

Travel services

With COVID-19 related border restrictions easing in December 2021, total Travel services imports increased $21,899m (1,395%) in 2022. The increase was driven by Other personal travel, up $20,006m (1,525%). Other personal travel accounted for 91% of total Travel imports in 2022, rebounding to 47% of its pre COVID-19 value.

Travel services made up 24% of the total services imports value in 2022, up from 3% in 2021, but still below the pre COVID-19 level of 49%.

All states and territories recorded an increase in Travel services imports in 2022. The largest increases were in New South Wales, up $7,711m (1,065%) and Victoria, up $6,345m ($1,567%). These two states are the largest importers of Travel services, and account for 36% and 29% of the total respectively.

New Zealand remained Australia’s largest import partner of Travel services in 2022, increasing 606% from 2021. New Zealand accounted for 14% of total travel imports in 2022, down from 30% in 2021. The second largest import partner for Travel in 2022 was Indonesia, rebounding to 68% of pre COVID-19 level. The changes in proportion of imports for partner countries is due to changing border restrictions through the COVID 19 pandemic, along with changes in traveller behaviours post pandemic with travellers often choosing to travel to closer destinations.

Proportion of Travel imports (a), by partner country, pre and post COVID-19

 

2019 ($m)

2019 (%)

2022 ($m)

2022 (%)

New Zealand-4,0768-3,36014
Indonesia-4,0688-2,75412
United States of America-8,65717-1,9408
United Kingdom-4,5669-1,7928
India-1,3533-1,5046
Japan-3,1156-4232

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals
(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory notes.

Proportion of Travel imports (a), by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

New Zealand-476     30New Zealand-3,360     14
United States of America-134       9Indonesia-2,754     12
United Kingdom-116       7United States of America-1,940       8
India-107       7United Kingdom-1,792       8
Fiji-86       5India-1,504       6
All other countries-651     42All other countries-12,119     52
Total-1,570   100Total-23,469   100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals
(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory notes.

Transport services

Transport services increased 82% in 2022, driven by Freight which increased $9,890m (58%) in 2022, accounting for 80% of total Transport imports. Various factors contributed to this increase, including continued lockdowns, labour shortages, increased demand for commodities, high shipping container prices, and port congestion. Passenger services increased $4,920m (444%) in 2022 returning to 78% of pre COVID-19 levels. 

The largest increases in Transport services imports were in New South Wales, up $5,410m (79%) and Victoria, up $4,697m (82%). New South Wales accounts for 36% of total Transport services imports, and Victoria 31%.

 Singapore was Australia’s largest import partner for Transport services in 2022, increasing $3,713m (187%) from 2021. Singapore accounts for 17% of total Transport services imports in 2022, an increase from 11% in 2021 and up from 12% of pre COVID-19 levels. 

Proportion of Transport imports (a), by partner country

2021

$m

%

2022

$m

%

Germany-2,518     14Singapore-5,702     17
Hong Kong-2,123     12Germany-4,380     13
Singapore-1,989     11Asia, nes-3,101       9
Asia, nes-1,897     10Hong Kong-2,565       8
Japan-1,431       8Japan-2,001       6
All other countries-8,463     45All other countries-15,796     47
Total-18,421   100Total-33,545   100

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals
(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory notes.

Transport freight

Transport freight increased to a record high value in 2022. Transport freight increased for all states and territories, except the Australian Capital Territory. New South Wales and Victoria are the largest importers of Freight, accounting for 35% and 32% of the total respectively. The largest increases from 2021 were New South Wales, up $3,194m (52%), Victoria, up $3,155m (59%) and Queensland, up $1,842m (66%).

Transport freight imports (a), by state

 

2021 ($m)

2022 ($m)

2021 to 2022 ($m)

2021 to 2022 (%)

New South Wales-6,186-9,3803,19452
Victoria-5,370-8,5253,15559
Queensland-2,779-4,6211,84266
South Australia-608-1,00039264
Western Australia-1,844-3,0251,18164
Tasmania-98-1616364
Northern Territory-70-1356593
Australian Capital Territory----
Total-16,956-26,8469,89058

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals
(a) For sign conventions, see the Explanatory notes.

Data downloads

Data files

Changes in this issue

Historical revisions

This publication includes historical revisions which are also included in the Australian System of National Accounts, 2021-22, released in October 2022, and the September 2022 issue of Balance of Payments and International Investment Position released in November 2022.

Acknowledgement

The ABS would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) who have provided funding and support for this publication.

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 5368.0.55.004.

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