Australia’s auto industry affects regional livelihoods, jobs, and consumer bills—from upstream supply chains to retail and aftermarket services. While domestic manufacturing output fell after assembly ceased, imports have surged to meet most vehicle demand and exports have declined. The page also highlights workforce and skills shifts, policy support, and how electrification is changing new-vehicle sales nationwide.
Key Takeaways
- Auto industry contributed AUD 25 billion to GDP in 2022 via supply chain
- Government subsidies to auto manufacturing totaled AUD 5.5 billion from 2001-2017
- Aftermarket parts market size reached AUD 12 billion in 2023
- Automotive retail sector employed 220,000 people in 2022 across Australia
- Manufacturing jobs in auto industry plummeted from 50,000 in 2003 to 5,000 by 2020
- Average wage in Australian automotive manufacturing was AUD 85,000 annually in 2019
- Australia's vehicle exports fell to 8,000 units in 2022, primarily luxury models
- Vehicle imports reached 1.2 million units in 2023, valued at AUD 45 billion
- Top import source Japan supplied 35% of vehicles in 2023 at 420,000 units
- In 2022, Australian motor vehicle manufacturing output was valued at AUD 1.2 billion, down 15% from 2021 due to complete cessation of local assembly
- Domestic production of passenger vehicles in Australia reached zero units in 2017 following Holden's plant closure
- Toyota Australia's Altona plant produced 147,000 vehicles cumulatively before closure in October 2017
- In 2023, new light vehicle sales in Australia totaled 1,216,734 units, up 13.3% from 2022
- Toyota held 21.6% market share in Australia in 2023 with 262,976 vehicles sold
- Ford sold 100,057 vehicles in Australia in 2023, capturing 8.2% market share
In 2023, imports surged and EV sales jumped, while manufacturing output collapsed and local assembly ended.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic And Financial Metrics27 stats
01
Auto industry contributed AUD 25 billion to GDP in 2022 via supply chain
02
Government subsidies to auto manufacturing totaled AUD 5.5 billion from 2001-2017
03
Aftermarket parts market size reached AUD 12 billion in 2023
04
R&D expenditure in auto sector was AUD 450 million in 2022
05
Tax revenue from auto sales and imports was AUD 8.2 billion in 2023
06
Investment in EV infrastructure hit AUD 1 billion in 2023 federal funding
07
Dealership turnover averaged AUD 150 million per large site in 2022
08
Cost of automotive tariffs and LCT generated AUD 4.5 billion in 2023
09
Local content incentives saved manufacturers AUD 200 million annually pre-2017
10
Industry multiplier effect generated AUD 60 billion economic activity 2022
11
EV manufacturing investments announced AUD 2 billion by 2025
12
Warranty claims cost industry AUD 1.5 billion annually 2023
13
Fuel excise from autos contributed AUD 15 billion to budget 2023
14
Fleet sales represented 25% of market at AUD 10 billion 2023
15
Digital sales platforms boosted revenue 12% to AUD 3 billion 2023
16
Insurance premiums for autos totaled AUD 9 billion in 2023
17
Recycling sector for end-of-life vehicles: AUD 1.2 billion turnover 2022
18
Tourism vehicle fleet investments AUD 500 million yearly
19
Carbon pricing impact pre-closure: AUD 100 million annual cost
20
Online auto sales revenue AUD 5 billion 2023 platforms
21
Used car market turnover AUD 80 billion 2023
22
Road user charges for EVs AUD 200 million projected 2025
23
Dealer profitability averaged 4.2% margin 2023
24
Hydrogen vehicle investments AUD 300 million 2023
25
Collision repair market AUD 6 billion 2023
26
Export finance guarantees AUD 500 million auto 2023
27
Tourism rental fleet value AUD 4 billion 2023
Interpretation
Economic And Financial Metrics Interpretation
Australia’s auto economy is strongly supported by large fiscal and market flows, with the industry adding AUD 25 billion to GDP in 2022 while tax revenue from sales and imports reached AUD 8.2 billion in 2023 and new EV infrastructure funding of AUD 1 billion in 2023 signals a clear shift in investment priorities within these economic and financial metrics.
02 · Category
Employment And Labor30 stats
01
Automotive retail sector employed 220,000 people in 2022 across Australia
02
Manufacturing jobs in auto industry plummeted from 50,000 in 2003 to 5,000 by 2020
03
Average wage in Australian automotive manufacturing was AUD 85,000 annually in 2019
04
35% of auto manufacturing workforce were skilled tradespeople pre-2017
05
Dealership employment stood at 120,000 full-time equivalents in 2023
06
Women comprised 22% of automotive retail workforce in 2022
07
Apprenticeships in auto mechanics numbered 12,500 active in 2023
08
Job losses from plant closures totaled 46,000 direct positions by 2018
09
Aftermarket repair sector employs 45,000 mechanics nationwide in 2023
10
R&D roles in auto sector reduced to 2,000 by 2022 from 10,000 peak
11
Automotive mechanic jobs numbered 38,000 in 2023 per ANZSCO
12
Heavy vehicle technicians employed 15,000 across Australia 2022
13
Sales staff in auto dealerships averaged 50,000 positions in 2023
14
Indigenous employment in auto sector at 1.2% or 3,000 workers 2022
15
Training expenditure for auto workforce was AUD 250 million in 2023
16
Labour turnover in dealerships was 18% annually in 2022
17
Panel beaters employed 18,000 nationwide in 2023
18
EV technician certifications issued 5,000 in 2023
19
Logistics roles in auto supply chain: 30,000 jobs 2023
20
Youth unemployment impact from closures: 12% higher in affected regions
21
Service advisors employed 25,000 in dealerships 2023
22
Finance roles in auto lending: 8,000 specialists 2023
23
Parts interpreters jobs 12,000 across network 2023
24
Disability employment quota 5% in large dealers 2022
25
Retraining programs post-closure supported 20,000 workers
26
Overtime hours in repair shops averaged 10% of total 2023
27
Spray painters 10,000 employed 2023
28
Autonomous vehicle testing roles emerging 500 jobs 2023
29
Warehousing for parts: 20,000 logistics workers 2023
30
126,400 people employed in automotive retail and motor vehicle hiring, excluding repair, in 2011
Interpretation
Employment And Labor Interpretation
In the Employment and Labor picture, auto jobs have shifted sharply toward retail and away from manufacturing, with manufacturing employment dropping from 50,000 in 2003 to just 5,000 by 2020 while dealership employment reached 120,000 full-time equivalents in 2023.
03 · Category
Exports And Imports26 stats
01
Australia's vehicle exports fell to 8,000 units in 2022, primarily luxury models
02
Vehicle imports reached 1.2 million units in 2023, valued at AUD 45 billion
03
Top import source Japan supplied 35% of vehicles in 2023 at 420,000 units
04
Thailand overtook Japan as top vehicle exporter to Australia with 28% share in 2023
05
Used vehicle imports totaled 55,000 in 2022 under SEVS scheme
06
Auto parts imports valued AUD 20.5 billion in 2022-23
07
Exports of automotive components generated AUD 1.8 billion revenue in 2023
08
New Zealand received 60% of Australia's vehicle exports in 2023, 4,800 units
09
EV imports jumped 150% to 75,000 units in 2023 from China primarily
10
Auto parts exports to ASEAN grew 15% to AUD 800 million in 2023
11
Germany supplied 8% of luxury vehicle imports, 96,000 units 2023
12
South Korea vehicle imports: 250,000 units valued AUD 9 billion 2023
13
Component imports from China hit AUD 5 billion in 2023
14
Right-hand drive exports to UK: 2,000 vehicles 2023
15
Import tariffs on vehicles phased to 5% by 2022 under WTO
16
SEVS imports approved 12,000 vehicles in 2023
17
Parts trade deficit widened to AUD 18 billion in 2022-23
18
South Africa imported 1,500 Aussie 4x4s in 2023
19
Vehicle exports to Middle East 1,200 units 2023 UAE focus
20
Indonesia imported AUD 150 million auto parts 2023
21
EU vehicle imports 150,000 units 2023 tariff-free
22
Mexico parts imports AUD 300 million electronics 2023
23
Canada RHD exports 800 vehicles 2023
24
Import growth rate 5% CAGR vehicles 2018-2023
25
Grey imports penalized AUD 50 million fines 2023
26
PNG imports 90% Aussie vehicles 25,000 units 2023
Interpretation
Exports And Imports Interpretation
Despite exports shrinking to just 8,000 vehicles in 2022, Australia’s imports surged to 1.2 million vehicles in 2023 and AUD 45 billion in value, showing a clear imbalance in the Exports And Imports picture, with Japan still leading as a source at 420,000 units and Thailand rising as the top exporter with a 28 percent share in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production And Manufacturing27 stats
01
In 2022, Australian motor vehicle manufacturing output was valued at AUD 1.2 billion, down 15% from 2021 due to complete cessation of local assembly
02
Domestic production of passenger vehicles in Australia reached zero units in 2017 following Holden's plant closure
03
Toyota Australia's Altona plant produced 147,000 vehicles cumulatively before closure in October 2017
04
Ford Australia's Broadmeadows facility manufactured over 3.5 million vehicles from 1925 to 2016
05
Average annual production capacity of Australian plants pre-2017 was 300,000 vehicles
06
Engine manufacturing in Australia ended in 2016 with Ford's casting plant closure, producing 2.5 million engines historically
07
Local content in Australian-made vehicles averaged 40-50% before 2017 shutdowns
08
Number of automotive manufacturing plants in Australia dropped from 5 major ones to 0 by 2018
09
Pre-closure peak production was 530,000 vehicles in 2004-05 financial year
10
In FY2021-22, engine production facilities output declined 92% since 2013 peak
11
Sheet metal stamping for vehicles produced 1.2 million tonnes pre-closure
12
Plastic components for interiors manufactured locally totaled 50 million units yearly pre-2017
13
Welding robots in Australian plants numbered 1,500 at peak production
14
Paint shop capacity was 400,000 vehicles per year across plants
15
Tyre manufacturing for OEMs was 2 million units annually from Bridgestone
16
Battery assembly for hybrids produced 100,000 packs before Toyota closure
17
Foundry output for alloy wheels was 500,000 units per year
18
Press shop tonnage capacity reached 1,500,000 tonnes historically
19
Body-in-white production lines handled 250,000 units peak annually
20
Exhaust system manufacturing output 1 million sets pre-2017
21
Seating assembly local production 400,000 seats yearly historically
22
Glass for windscreens: 2 million units from local plants pre-closure
23
Brake component fabrication reached 5 million parts annually
24
Suspension parts output 1.5 million assemblies peak
25
Electrical wiring harnesses: 10 million km produced locally pre-2017
26
Fuel tank manufacturing 300,000 units yearly
27
Dashboard assembly lines produced 200,000 units annually
Interpretation
Production And Manufacturing Interpretation
From the perspective of Production and Manufacturing, Australia’s vehicle output effectively collapsed from an average pre-2017 capacity of 300,000 vehicles and a history of mass production into near zero domestic manufacturing by 2017, with Toyota’s 147,000 vehicles and Ford’s 3.5 million units showing how quickly local plants and engine making ended by 2016.
05 · Category
Sales And Market Performance29 stats
01
In 2023, new light vehicle sales in Australia totaled 1,216,734 units, up 13.3% from 2022
02
Toyota held 21.6% market share in Australia in 2023 with 262,976 vehicles sold
03
Ford sold 100,057 vehicles in Australia in 2023, capturing 8.2% market share
04
Electric vehicle sales surged to 88,000 units in 2023, representing 7.2% of total sales
05
Ute/SUV segment dominated with 68.9% of sales in 2023 at 838,000 units
06
Mazda achieved 74,632 sales in 2023, securing 6.1% market share
07
Hyundai sold 71,465 vehicles in 2023, up 24.9% year-on-year
08
Passenger car sales fell to 8.6% of market in 2023 with 104,000 units
09
Isuzu Ute was top-selling brand in 2023 with 25,283 D-Max units
10
Tesla Model Y became Australia's top-selling EV with 35,000 units in 2023
11
In 2023, MG topped sales charts with 52,000 units sold, 4.3% share
12
Kia sold 81,787 vehicles in 2023, achieving 6.7% market share growth
13
Mitsubishi sales reached 48,000 units in 2023 driven by Triton ute
14
Light commercial vehicle sales hit 342,000 units in 2023, up 10%
15
Toyota RAV4 was best-seller with 55,000 units in 2023
16
Volkswagen sold 45,000 vehicles in 2023, including 12,000 Tiguan
17
Nissan sales totaled 40,000 units led by Patrol at 5,000
18
Premium brand sales grew 20% to 120,000 units in 2023
19
December 2023 monthly sales peaked at 127,441 units
20
Regional sales outside capitals were 35% of total in 2023
21
Subaru sold 42,000 vehicles in 2023, strong Forester sales
22
GWM sales exploded to 25,000 units in 2023 from EVs
23
Ram trucks sold 10,000 units, top US import 2023
24
SUV sales 496,000 units, 40.8% market share 2023
25
Hiace van led commercials with 14,000 sales 2023
26
BMW sales 25,000 units, 2.1% premium share 2023
27
Mercedes sold 28,000 vehicles including EVs 2023
28
January 2023 sales 89,000 units, EV 6% mix
29
Queensland sales 220,000 vehicles 2023, 18% national
Interpretation
Sales And Market Performance Interpretation
Australia’s auto market strengthened in 2023 with new light vehicle sales rising to 1,216,734 units, while electric vehicles climbed to 88,000 units and the ute or SUV segment led at 838,000, signaling both market growth and a clear shift in what consumers are buying.
Reference
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APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Australia Auto Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-auto-industry-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Australia Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-auto-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Australia Auto Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-auto-industry-statistics.