Australia's automotive sector is shifting rapidly. New vehicle sales surpassed 1.2 million units last year, yet the market is splitting between record SUV sales and surging electric vehicle adoption. This article presents the key statistics defining this transition.
Key Takeaways
- The automotive industry contributed AUD 37 billion to GDP in 2022.
- The Australian automotive sector directly employed 50,000 workers in 2022.
- Vehicle exports from Australia totaled 14,200 units in 2022.
- In FY2022, Australian automotive manufacturing turnover was AUD 28.4 billion.
- In 2023, total new motor vehicle sales in Australia reached 1,216,735 units, marking a 14.8% increase from 2022.
Australian automotive sales remained resilient in 2024, supported by steady demand and improving vehicle supply.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact and Investments21 stats
01
The automotive industry contributed AUD 37 billion to GDP in 2022.
02
Total economic multiplier effect 2.5x direct output.
03
Government support via tax incentives AUD 1 billion since 2017.
04
R&D tax incentive claimed AUD 300m by auto firms yearly.
05
Investment in battery manufacturing AUD 2 billion by 2024.
06
CATL-Geely JV AUD 1 billion gigafactory announced 2024.
07
Export revenue supports 10,000 jobs indirectly.
08
Retail sales contribution AUD 100 billion annually.
09
Aftermarket industry value AUD 15 billion in 2023.
10
Fuel excise tax from autos AUD 12 billion yearly.
11
Road user charges for diesels AUD 2 billion.
12
EV rebate scheme cost government AUD 400m in 2023.
13
Infrastructure spend on EV chargers AUD 500m committed.
14
Local content procurement AUD 5 billion yearly.
15
Tourism boost from RV sales AUD 3 billion.
16
Insurance premiums from vehicles AUD 20 billion.
17
Financing for vehicle purchases AUD 50 billion loans outstanding.
18
Carbon emissions from autos 80 MtCO2e annually.
19
Transition to zero emissions projected AUD 100b investment.
20
Supply chain spend AUD 25 billion domestically.
21
SMEs represent 90% of auto businesses.
Interpretation
Economic Impact and Investments Interpretation
The Australian automotive industry isn't just about cars; it’s a massive economic engine that, while currently fueled by petrol and tax revenue, is shifting gears towards a battery-powered future at a cost of billions, proving the road to progress is paved with both innovation and significant public investment.
02 · Category
Employment and Workforce25 stats
01
The Australian automotive sector directly employed 50,000 workers in 2022.
02
Indirect employment supported by auto industry totals 200,000 jobs.
03
Average wage in automotive manufacturing AUD 85,000 per annum 2022.
04
40% of auto workers hold vocational qualifications.
05
Female participation in auto sector at 25% in 2023.
06
Youth employment (under 25) 15% of workforce.
07
Skilled migration filled 5,000 auto jobs in 2022.
08
Apprenticeships in auto mechanics 10,000 active in 2023.
09
Unemployment rate in manufacturing 4.5% in 2023.
10
Auto electricians jobs grew 10% to 15,000 in 2022.
11
Panel beaters employment 8,000 nationwide 2023.
12
Diesel mechanics 12,000 employed in 2023.
13
Training expenditure AUD 200 million annually in sector.
14
Job vacancies in auto repair 20,000 in 2023.
15
Victoria employs 40% of national auto workforce.
16
NSW hosts 25% of automotive service jobs.
17
Queensland auto jobs 15% of total.
18
Automation displaced 10,000 jobs since 2017.
19
Upskilling programs trained 5,000 workers in EV tech 2023.
20
Labour productivity in auto services AUD 120k per worker.
21
Union membership 30% in manufacturing.
22
Injury rate 5 per 100 workers in auto.
23
Part-time workers 20% of auto employment.
24
Migrant workers 35% of skilled trades.
25
EV technician certifications issued 2,000 in 2023.
Interpretation
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
While Australia's automotive industry runs like a well-oiled machine, employing 250,000 people directly and indirectly with solid wages, it's in the shop for a major tune-up, urgently needing more skilled hands—especially among women and youth—to fill 20,000 vacancies and retool a workforce where automation has taken its toll and the electric future is already rolling into the bay.
03 · Category
Exports and Imports22 stats
01
Vehicle exports from Australia totaled 14,200 units in 2022.
02
Automotive exports value reached AUD 5.1 billion in 2022.
03
Top export destination USA with 40% of vehicle exports.
04
Component exports to Japan AUD 1.2 billion in 2022.
05
Vehicle imports dominated by Japan at 35% share in 2023.
06
Total vehicle imports 1.2 million units in 2023.
07
Thailand imports grew 25% to 150k vehicles in 2023.
08
Used vehicle exports to NZ 20,000 units annually.
09
Engine exports value AUD 800 million in 2022.
10
Parts exports to ASEAN AUD 900m in 2022.
11
Import tariff on vehicles 5% under WTO.
12
EV imports 90,000 units in 2023, 90% from China.
13
Trade deficit in vehicles AUD 45 billion in 2022.
14
Component trade surplus AUD 1.5 billion annually.
15
Exports to UK post-Brexit up 10% in 2023.
16
Imports from Germany 80k luxury vehicles yearly.
17
Korean imports 200k vehicles in 2023.
18
Body parts imports AUD 2 billion annually.
19
Free Trade Agreement with Japan boosted exports 15%.
20
India auto parts imports AUD 500m growing 20%.
21
Export growth in aftermarket parts 8% YoY.
22
Vehicle import value AUD 50 billion in 2022.
Interpretation
Exports and Imports Interpretation
Though Australia's automotive industry seems to be building a successful export identity as a specialist in high-value components and engines, the colossal trade deficit reveals a nation that has largely become a showroom for imported vehicles, buying nearly a hundred times more cars than it sells while cleverly shipping the vital organs that keep them running.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production and Manufacturing27 stats
01
In FY2022, Australian automotive manufacturing turnover was AUD 28.4 billion.
02
Motor vehicle body, trailer, caravan manufacturing employed 12,500 in 2022.
03
Automotive component manufacturing output valued at AUD 4.5 billion in 2022.
04
Number of automotive manufacturing businesses in Australia was 1,200 in 2023.
05
Production of motor vehicle parts fell 5% to AUD 3.8 billion in 2022.
06
Trailer manufacturing output reached AUD 2.1 billion in 2022.
07
Local content in Australian vehicles dropped to 30% by 2017 closure.
08
Victoria hosted 60% of automotive component manufacturers pre-2017.
09
Annual production capacity post-closure shifted to 500k components.
10
In 2021, 15,000 motor vehicles were manufactured domestically (specialty).
11
Automotive stamping, pressing output AUD 500 million in 2022.
12
Engine and turbine manufacturing turnover AUD 1.2 billion in 2022.
13
Electrical equipment for vehicles produced AUD 800 million worth in 2022.
14
Plastic parts for autos output AUD 1.5 billion in 2022.
15
Steel fabrication for vehicles AUD 2.3 billion in 2022.
16
Post-2017, 250 firms remain in component production.
17
Investment in advanced manufacturing reached AUD 100 million in 2023.
18
Robot density in auto sector 150 per 10k workers.
19
R&D spend in auto manufacturing AUD 500 million annually.
20
Battery production pilot plants output 1 GWh capacity planned 2024.
21
3D printing in prototypes saved 20% costs in 2023 trials.
22
Hydrogen vehicle prototypes numbered 50 in 2023.
23
Local EV component production at 10% of market in 2023.
24
Forging and casting output for autos AUD 400m in 2022.
25
Heat treatment services turnover AUD 300m for autos.
26
Automotive manufacturing productivity grew 2% YoY 2022.
27
Number of apprentices in auto manufacturing 2,500 in 2023.
Interpretation
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
For an industry that shed its skin after 2017, leaving a leaner but more innovative core, the Australian automotive sector is now a surprisingly muscular AUD 28.4 billion chameleon, cleverly adapting from mass car assembly into a high-value, specialized, and occasionally futuristic ecosystem of parts, trailers, and niche vehicles.
Reference
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APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Australia Automotive Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-automotive-industry-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Australia Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-automotive-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Australia Automotive Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-automotive-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
33 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level