From its billion-dollar export growth to its surging embrace of sustainability, Australia's fashion industry is a dynamic powerhouse, weaving a vibrant economic and cultural fabric worth over $28 billion to the nation.
Key Takeaways
- The Australian fashion industry contributed AUD 28.4 billion to the national GDP in 2022, representing 1.2% of total GDP
- Apparel retailing in Australia generated AUD 15.6 billion in revenue in 2023
- The value of Australian fashion exports reached AUD 1.1 billion in 2021-22
- The Australian fashion industry employed 312,000 people directly in 2022
- Apparel retailing provided jobs for 145,000 workers in 2023
- Textile manufacturing workforce numbered 25,000 in 2021-22
- 62% of Australian fashion consumers prefer sustainable brands in 2023
- Online shopping for apparel rose to 45% of total purchases in 2023
- 78% of millennials prioritize ethical fashion in purchases
- 92% of Australian fashion brands have sustainability goals in 2023
- Fashion industry recycled 45,000 tonnes of textiles in 2022
- 68% reduction target in emissions by 2030 for major brands
- Fashion exports to Asia totaled AUD 650 million in 2022
- Imports of apparel reached AUD 12.5 billion in 2022-23
- China supplied 65% of Australia's fashion imports in 2023
Australia's fashion industry is a major economic force, valued at billions and embracing sustainability.
Consumer Trends
- 62% of Australian fashion consumers prefer sustainable brands in 2023
- Online shopping for apparel rose to 45% of total purchases in 2023
- 78% of millennials prioritize ethical fashion in purchases
- Average annual spend on clothing per capita AUD 850 in 2022
- Activewear purchases increased 22% among women aged 25-34 in 2023
- 55% of consumers buy second-hand clothing at least once a year
- Preference for local brands rose to 41% in 2023 from 32% in 2020
- Fast fashion market share dropped to 28% due to sustainability concerns
- 67% of Gen Z shoppers use social media for fashion discovery
- Luxury goods spending per affluent consumer AUD 2,500 annually
- Streetwear demand highest in ages 18-24 at 72% ownership rate
- 49% of consumers returned online fashion purchases in 2023
- Organic cotton apparel preferred by 38% of buyers
- Men's fashion spend grew 9% focusing on athleisure
- 81% influenced by influencer marketing in fashion buys
- Regional consumers spend 15% more on workwear post-COVID
- 52% avoid brands without transparency in supply chains
- Kids' sustainable clothing demand up 30% in 2023
- 44% of shoppers use buy-now-pay-later for fashion
- Vintage fashion appeal highest at 65% among 18-24 year olds
- 71% prioritize comfort over style post-pandemic
Consumer Trends Interpretation
The Australian fashion consumer is now a savvy creature who, while lounging in ethically sourced activewear discovered on TikTok and bought with Afterpay, is strategically dethroning fast fashion by demanding transparency, championing local and second-hand gems, and proving that comfort and conscience are the new, non-negotiable luxury.
Economic Contribution
- The Australian fashion industry contributed AUD 28.4 billion to the national GDP in 2022, representing 1.2% of total GDP
- Apparel retailing in Australia generated AUD 15.6 billion in revenue in 2023
- The value of Australian fashion exports reached AUD 1.1 billion in 2021-22
- Online fashion sales accounted for 25% of total apparel retail revenue in Australia in 2023
- The Australian textile, clothing and footwear sector had a gross value added of AUD 5.2 billion in 2020-21
- Fashion manufacturing output declined by 4.5% year-on-year in 2022 to AUD 2.8 billion
- Luxury fashion market in Australia grew by 8.2% to AUD 4.1 billion in 2023
- Total employment income in Australian apparel retailing was AUD 4.3 billion in 2023
- The fashion industry's indirect economic multiplier effect supports an additional AUD 10 billion in related sectors
- Streetwear segment revenue in Australia hit AUD 1.2 billion in 2022
- Activewear market size reached AUD 3.5 billion in 2023, growing 12% annually
- Footwear manufacturing contributed AUD 450 million to GDP in 2021
- Designer fashion wholesale turnover was AUD 800 million in 2022
- Second-hand fashion market valued at AUD 1.8 billion in 2023
- Total fashion retail sales volume increased 5.1% to 1.2 billion units in 2023
- Men's apparel segment generated AUD 6.2 billion in 2022
- Women's clothing market size was AUD 9.1 billion in 2023
- Children's apparel revenue reached AUD 2.4 billion in 2022
- Underwear and lingerie sector turnover AUD 1.1 billion in 2023
- Accessories market (bags, jewelry) valued at AUD 3.2 billion in 2022
- Fashion e-commerce penetration rate stood at 32% in 2023
- Independent fashion boutiques generated AUD 2.5 billion in 2022
- Department store fashion sales declined 3.2% to AUD 4.8 billion in 2023
- Fast fashion imports cost AUD 12.3 billion in 2022
- Local manufacturing value added AUD 1.5 billion in 2023
- Fashion week's economic impact AUD 50 million annually in Sydney
- Tourism fashion spending by visitors AUD 2.1 billion in 2022
- Corporate uniform market size AUD 900 million in 2023
- Vintage fashion sales grew 15% to AUD 750 million in 2023
Economic Contribution Interpretation
While it may be drowning in a sea of fast fashion imports, Australia's style sector is a surprisingly resilient and multi-faceted economic engine, stitching together everything from a booming resale market and cozy activewear to the aspirational power of luxury handbags, proving that even when local manufacturing struggles, the nation's wardrobe is still a multi-billion dollar business.
Employment Statistics
- The Australian fashion industry employed 312,000 people directly in 2022
- Apparel retailing provided jobs for 145,000 workers in 2023
- Textile manufacturing workforce numbered 25,000 in 2021-22
- Fashion designers and buyers total 18,500 employed in 2023
- Retail sales assistants in fashion stores: 95,000 full-time equivalents in 2022
- Clothing manufacturing jobs declined by 2.1% to 12,300 in 2023
- Footwear industry employed 4,200 people in 2022
- Sustainability roles in fashion grew 28% to 2,500 positions in 2023
- Online fashion retail added 15,000 jobs since 2020
- Melbourne fashion district employs 45,000 in design and production
- Women's clothing retail workforce: 68,000 in 2023
- Indigenous fashion artisans number 1,200 employed full-time
- Logistics and supply chain roles in fashion: 35,000 in 2022
- Part-time fashion retail workers: 120,000 across Australia in 2023
- Export-oriented fashion firms employ 8,500 specialists
- Digital marketing roles in fashion brands: 4,200 in 2023
- Apprenticeships in fashion manufacturing: 1,800 active in 2022
- High-end designer studios employ 2,100 creatives in Sydney
- Garment alteration and tailoring jobs: 6,500 nationwide
- E-commerce fashion platforms staff 12,000 in operations
- Fashion event staffing peaks at 5,000 per major show
- Uniform manufacturing employs 3,200 workers
- Second-hand fashion stores employ 9,000 staff in 2023
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While the face of Australian fashion is largely a savvy retail army, its heart now beats strongest in logistics warehouses and digital storefronts, even as its soul is stitched together by a dwindling but resilient number of makers and a growing circle of sustainable and artisanal craftspeople.
International Trade
- Fashion exports to Asia totaled AUD 650 million in 2022
- Imports of apparel reached AUD 12.5 billion in 2022-23
- China supplied 65% of Australia's fashion imports in 2023
- US fashion exports to Australia grew 11% to AUD 180 million
- EU trade agreement boosted apparel imports by 7% in 2023
- Footwear imports valued at AUD 3.2 billion, mainly from Vietnam
- Australian wool exports for fashion: AUD 3.8 billion in 2022
- FTA with UK increased fashion trade by AUD 50 million
- Bangladesh apparel imports: AUD 1.4 billion in 2023
- Luxury exports to Middle East rose 15% to AUD 120 million
- Digital trade platforms facilitated AUD 400 million in fashion exports
- India as sourcing partner: 12% of total imports at AUD 1.5 billion
- Tariff reductions under CPTPP saved AUD 30 million in fashion trade
- New Zealand fashion trade bilateral AUD 250 million
- Protective clothing exports to mining sector AUD 200 million
- E-commerce imports of fashion grew 20% to AUD 4.1 billion
- Sustainable fashion exports certified: AUD 300 million in 2023
- Indonesia imports surged 18% to AUD 900 million
- High-end Australian designers exported AUD 150 million to Europe
- Trade deficit in apparel widened to AUD 11.4 billion in 2022
International Trade Interpretation
While Australia's fashion industry proudly exports its unique style and wool in billions, it's currently trying on a massive, imported trade deficit for size—and it’s not a good look.
Sustainability Initiatives
- 92% of Australian fashion brands have sustainability goals in 2023
- Fashion industry recycled 45,000 tonnes of textiles in 2022
- 68% reduction target in emissions by 2030 for major brands
- Use of recycled polyester in apparel reached 22% in 2023
- Water usage in Australian fashion production down 18% since 2018
- 75% of brands adopted circular economy principles by 2023
- Organic fibre usage increased to 12% of total fibres in 2022
- Textile waste diverted from landfill: 60% in major cities
- 40 brands certified carbon neutral under Climate Active in 2023
- Microplastic shedding from synthetics reduced by 25% via innovations
- Sustainable packaging used by 85% of online fashion retailers
- Indigenous sustainable fibres incorporated in 15% of collections
- Energy from renewables in factories: 55% average in 2023
- Take-back programs implemented by 62% of retailers
- Biodiversity impact assessments done by 35% of supply chains
- Vegan leather alternatives used in 28% of accessories
- Scope 3 emissions reporting by 50% of large fashion firms
- Repair services offered by 40% of high-street stores
- Low-impact dyes adopted by 45% of manufacturers
- Zero-waste pattern cutting in 30% of designer brands
Sustainability Initiatives Interpretation
The Australian fashion industry is strutting toward a greener future with admirable, if slightly chaotic, energy—setting grand targets, recycling tonnes of old threads, and patching up its environmental footprint one innovative but imperfect percentage point at a time.
Sources & References
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