Fashion choices ripple through Australia—from designers and retail teams to the workers who process and manufacture textiles. In 2022, the sector added AUD 28.4 billion to national GDP (1.2%) and employed 312,000 people. We also connect these economic and jobs figures to online apparel growth and trade flows, then assess sustainability performance such as recycling and emissions targets.
Key Takeaways
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Australian fashion is shifting fast online and toward ethical spending, with sustainability driving demand and jobs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Trends21 stats
01
62% of Australian fashion consumers prefer sustainable brands in 2023
02
Online shopping for apparel rose to 45% of total purchases in 2023
03
78% of millennials prioritize ethical fashion in purchases
04
Average annual spend on clothing per capita AUD 850 in 2022
05
Activewear purchases increased 22% among women aged 25-34 in 2023
06
55% of consumers buy second-hand clothing at least once a year
07
Preference for local brands rose to 41% in 2023 from 32% in 2020
08
Fast fashion market share dropped to 28% due to sustainability concerns
09
67% of Gen Z shoppers use social media for fashion discovery
10
Luxury goods spending per affluent consumer AUD 2,500 annually
11
Streetwear demand highest in ages 18-24 at 72% ownership rate
12
49% of consumers returned online fashion purchases in 2023
13
Organic cotton apparel preferred by 38% of buyers
14
Men's fashion spend grew 9% focusing on athleisure
15
81% influenced by influencer marketing in fashion buys
16
Regional consumers spend 15% more on workwear post-COVID
17
52% avoid brands without transparency in supply chains
18
Kids' sustainable clothing demand up 30% in 2023
19
44% of shoppers use buy-now-pay-later for fashion
20
Vintage fashion appeal highest at 65% among 18-24 year olds
21
71% prioritize comfort over style post-pandemic
Interpretation
Consumer Trends Interpretation
Australian consumer trends are clearly shifting toward more responsible and digital shopping, with 62% preferring sustainable brands in 2023 and online apparel purchases reaching 45% of all purchases that same year.
02 · Category
Economic Contribution30 stats
01
The Australian fashion industry contributed AUD 28.4 billion to the national GDP in 2022, representing 1.2% of total GDP
02
Apparel retailing in Australia generated AUD 15.6 billion in revenue in 2023
03
The value of Australian fashion exports reached AUD 1.1 billion in 2021-22
04
Online fashion sales accounted for 25% of total apparel retail revenue in Australia in 2023
05
The Australian textile, clothing and footwear sector had a gross value added of AUD 5.2 billion in 2020-21
06
Fashion manufacturing output declined by 4.5% year-on-year in 2022 to AUD 2.8 billion
07
Luxury fashion market in Australia grew by 8.2% to AUD 4.1 billion in 2023
08
Total employment income in Australian apparel retailing was AUD 4.3 billion in 2023
09
The fashion industry's indirect economic multiplier effect supports an additional AUD 10 billion in related sectors
10
Streetwear segment revenue in Australia hit AUD 1.2 billion in 2022
11
Activewear market size reached AUD 3.5 billion in 2023, growing 12% annually
12
Footwear manufacturing contributed AUD 450 million to GDP in 2021
13
Designer fashion wholesale turnover was AUD 800 million in 2022
14
Second-hand fashion market valued at AUD 1.8 billion in 2023
15
Total fashion retail sales volume increased 5.1% to 1.2 billion units in 2023
16
Men's apparel segment generated AUD 6.2 billion in 2022
17
Women's clothing market size was AUD 9.1 billion in 2023
18
Children's apparel revenue reached AUD 2.4 billion in 2022
19
Underwear and lingerie sector turnover AUD 1.1 billion in 2023
20
Accessories market (bags, jewelry) valued at AUD 3.2 billion in 2022
21
Fashion e-commerce penetration rate stood at 32% in 2023
22
Independent fashion boutiques generated AUD 2.5 billion in 2022
23
Department store fashion sales declined 3.2% to AUD 4.8 billion in 2023
24
Fast fashion imports cost AUD 12.3 billion in 2022
25
Local manufacturing value added AUD 1.5 billion in 2023
26
Fashion week's economic impact AUD 50 million annually in Sydney
27
Tourism fashion spending by visitors AUD 2.1 billion in 2022
28
Corporate uniform market size AUD 900 million in 2023
29
Vintage fashion sales grew 15% to AUD 750 million in 2023
30
15.6 billion AUD in apparel retail revenue in 2023 (Australia)
Interpretation
Economic Contribution Interpretation
In economic contribution terms, the Australian fashion industry delivered AUD 28.4 billion to GDP in 2022, and while apparel retail brought in AUD 15.6 billion in 2023 with online sales taking 25%, fashion manufacturing output fell 4.5% year on year in 2022 to AUD 2.8 billion, showing growth in consumption alongside pressure on production.
report visual · Projection
Apparel retail revenue in Australia (2018–2023)
Apparel retail revenue rose over time in Australia, with 2023 as the leader and a clear upward direction across the period.
14 AUD (billion)
Start
+2.19%
CAGR · 5y
15.6 AUD (billion)
Projected
20182023
source-verifiedibisworld.com2023
03 · Category
Employment Statistics23 stats
01
The Australian fashion industry employed 312,000 people directly in 2022
02
Apparel retailing provided jobs for 145,000 workers in 2023
03
Textile manufacturing workforce numbered 25,000 in 2021-22
04
Fashion designers and buyers total 18,500 employed in 2023
05
Retail sales assistants in fashion stores: 95,000 full-time equivalents in 2022
06
Clothing manufacturing jobs declined by 2.1% to 12,300 in 2023
07
Footwear industry employed 4,200 people in 2022
08
Sustainability roles in fashion grew 28% to 2,500 positions in 2023
09
Online fashion retail added 15,000 jobs since 2020
10
Melbourne fashion district employs 45,000 in design and production
11
Women's clothing retail workforce: 68,000 in 2023
12
Indigenous fashion artisans number 1,200 employed full-time
13
Logistics and supply chain roles in fashion: 35,000 in 2022
14
Part-time fashion retail workers: 120,000 across Australia in 2023
15
Export-oriented fashion firms employ 8,500 specialists
16
Digital marketing roles in fashion brands: 4,200 in 2023
17
Apprenticeships in fashion manufacturing: 1,800 active in 2022
18
High-end designer studios employ 2,100 creatives in Sydney
19
Garment alteration and tailoring jobs: 6,500 nationwide
20
E-commerce fashion platforms staff 12,000 in operations
21
Fashion event staffing peaks at 5,000 per major show
22
Uniform manufacturing employs 3,200 workers
23
Second-hand fashion stores employ 9,000 staff in 2023
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Employment in Australia’s fashion sector shows clear pressure and reshaping, with apparel retailing employing 145,000 in 2023 while clothing manufacturing jobs fell 2.1% to 12,300 in the same year.
More related reading
04 · Category
International Trade20 stats
01
Fashion exports to Asia totaled AUD 650 million in 2022
02
Imports of apparel reached AUD 12.5 billion in 2022-23
03
China supplied 65% of Australia's fashion imports in 2023
04
US fashion exports to Australia grew 11% to AUD 180 million
05
EU trade agreement boosted apparel imports by 7% in 2023
06
Footwear imports valued at AUD 3.2 billion, mainly from Vietnam
07
Australian wool exports for fashion: AUD 3.8 billion in 2022
08
FTA with UK increased fashion trade by AUD 50 million
09
Bangladesh apparel imports: AUD 1.4 billion in 2023
10
Luxury exports to Middle East rose 15% to AUD 120 million
11
Digital trade platforms facilitated AUD 400 million in fashion exports
12
India as sourcing partner: 12% of total imports at AUD 1.5 billion
13
Tariff reductions under CPTPP saved AUD 30 million in fashion trade
14
New Zealand fashion trade bilateral AUD 250 million
15
Protective clothing exports to mining sector AUD 200 million
16
E-commerce imports of fashion grew 20% to AUD 4.1 billion
17
Sustainable fashion exports certified: AUD 300 million in 2023
18
Indonesia imports surged 18% to AUD 900 million
19
High-end Australian designers exported AUD 150 million to Europe
20
Trade deficit in apparel widened to AUD 11.4 billion in 2022
Interpretation
International Trade Interpretation
Australia’s fashion trade is increasingly import dependent, with apparel imports hitting AUD 12.5 billion in 2022–23 and China supplying 65% in 2023 while trade with key partners like the US reaching AUD 180 million after an 11% growth underscores shifting global sourcing under international trade.
05 · Category
Sustainability Initiatives20 stats
01
92% of Australian fashion brands have sustainability goals in 2023
02
Fashion industry recycled 45,000 tonnes of textiles in 2022
03
68% reduction target in emissions by 2030 for major brands
04
Use of recycled polyester in apparel reached 22% in 2023
05
Water usage in Australian fashion production down 18% since 2018
06
75% of brands adopted circular economy principles by 2023
07
Organic fibre usage increased to 12% of total fibres in 2022
08
Textile waste diverted from landfill: 60% in major cities
09
40 brands certified carbon neutral under Climate Active in 2023
10
Microplastic shedding from synthetics reduced by 25% via innovations
11
Sustainable packaging used by 85% of online fashion retailers
12
Indigenous sustainable fibres incorporated in 15% of collections
13
Energy from renewables in factories: 55% average in 2023
14
Take-back programs implemented by 62% of retailers
15
Biodiversity impact assessments done by 35% of supply chains
16
Vegan leather alternatives used in 28% of accessories
17
Scope 3 emissions reporting by 50% of large fashion firms
18
Repair services offered by 40% of high-street stores
19
Low-impact dyes adopted by 45% of manufacturers
20
Zero-waste pattern cutting in 30% of designer brands
Interpretation
Sustainability Initiatives Interpretation
Australia’s sustainability initiatives in fashion are accelerating quickly, with 92% of brands setting sustainability goals in 2023 and 75% already adopting circular economy principles while recycled textile use reached 45,000 tonnes in 2022.
Reference
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APA
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Australia Fashion Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-fashion-industry-statistics
MLA
Rachel Svensson. "Australia Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-fashion-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Australia Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-fashion-industry-statistics.