From billion-dollar GDP contributions to shifting consumer trends, the Australian fashion industry is a dynamic economic powerhouse worth examining beyond the runway.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Australian fashion industry contributed AUD 28.4 billion to the national GDP, accounting for 1.2% of total GDP
- The apparel manufacturing segment alone generated AUD 1.2 billion in revenue in FY2023, down 3.5% from the previous year due to import competition
- Fashion retail sales reached AUD 27.1 billion in 2022-23, with online sales comprising 22.4% of total sales
- The industry employed 250,000 people directly in 2023, representing 2.1% of total employment
- Fashion retail sector provided 180,000 jobs in FY2023, with 45% part-time roles
- Apparel manufacturing jobs numbered 15,000 in 2023, down 12% over five years
- 78% of consumers aged 18-34 purchased fashion online in 2023 survey
- Sustainable fashion preference rose to 67% among Australians in 2023, up from 52% in 2021
- Average annual fashion spend per capita AUD 1,250 in 2023
- Fashion exports totaled AUD 1.1 billion in FY2023, up 5.2% YoY
- Imports of apparel reached AUD 12.4 billion in 2023, 85% from Asia
- Key export markets: USA AUD 250 million, UK AUD 180 million in 2023
- 47% of fashion brands used sustainable materials in collections 2023
- Industry water usage totaled 1.2 billion litres in FY2023
- 35% reduction in carbon emissions targeted by 2030, 12% achieved by 2023
The Australian fashion industry contributes billions to GDP while navigating shifts in consumer trends and sustainability demands.
Consumer Behaviour
178% of consumers aged 18-34 purchased fashion online in 2023 survey
Verified2Sustainable fashion preference rose to 67% among Australians in 2023, up from 52% in 2021
Verified3Average annual fashion spend per capita AUD 1,250 in 2023
Verified441% of shoppers bought fast fashion in past month per 2023 survey
Directional5Online fashion purchases averaged 4.2 per consumer yearly in 2023
Single source655% of women prioritized price over brand in 2023 buying decisions
Verified7Gen Z (born 1997-2012) spent 32% more on athleisure in 2023
Verified829% returned online fashion purchases in 2023, average return rate
Verified9Brand loyalty in fashion dropped to 38% in 2023 from 45% in 2020
Directional1064% influenced by social media in fashion buys per 2023 poll
Single source11Average basket size for fashion e-commerce AUD 85 in 2023
Verified1252% of consumers shopped sales/discounts monthly in 2023
Verified13Vegan/leather alternative preference 23% in 2023 survey
Verified14Mobile app usage for fashion shopping 48% in 2023
Directional15Impulse buys accounted for 37% of fashion purchases in 2023
Single source1671% read reviews before buying fashion online 2023
Verified17Seasonal purchases peaked at 60% in spring 2023
Verified18Loyalty program participation 49% among fashion shoppers 2023
Verified19Size inclusivity influenced 34% of purchases in 2023
Directional20Subscription box fashion users grew 18% to 120,000 in 2023
Single source2139% of men increased fashion spending post-2022
Verified2276% of fashion waste recycled by consumers in 2023 self-report
Verified2368% of Australians aged 25-44 owned fast fashion items in 2023
VerifiedConsumer Behaviour Interpretation
Australian youth are digitally savvy and idealistically shopping for a sustainable future, yet their online carts are still filled with fast fashion impulse buys, revealing a telling and expensive disconnect between aspiration and action.
Economic Impact
1In 2023, the Australian fashion industry contributed AUD 28.4 billion to the national GDP, accounting for 1.2% of total GDP
Verified2The apparel manufacturing segment alone generated AUD 1.2 billion in revenue in FY2023, down 3.5% from the previous year due to import competition
Verified3Fashion retail sales reached AUD 27.1 billion in 2022-23, with online sales comprising 22.4% of total sales
Verified4The luxury fashion segment grew by 7.8% YoY in 2023, valued at AUD 4.3 billion, driven by high-net-worth individuals
Directional5Total industry revenue for clothing retailing was AUD 25.6 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 2.1% over the past five years
Single source6Footwear retailing contributed AUD 4.8 billion to the economy in FY2023, facing 1.9% decline due to e-commerce shifts
Verified7The Australian fashion market size was estimated at AUD 32.5 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 3.4% CAGR to 2028
Verified8Textile manufacturing revenue stood at AUD 2.1 billion in 2023, with a 4.2% annual decline over five years
Verified9Fast fashion segment sales hit AUD 12.3 billion in 2023, representing 43% of total apparel retail
Directional10Independent fashion brands generated AUD 3.7 billion in 2022, up 5.6% from 2021
Single source11The industry paid AUD 15.2 billion in wages and salaries in 2023, supporting economic multipliers
Verified12Fashion e-commerce revenue reached AUD 6.1 billion in 2023, with 28% growth rate
Verified13Second-hand fashion market valued at AUD 1.8 billion in 2023, growing 15% YoY
Verified14Sportswear segment revenue was AUD 5.4 billion in FY2023, up 6.2%
Directional15Bridal wear market size AUD 1.2 billion in 2023, stable post-COVID
Single source16Children's apparel retail hit AUD 3.9 billion in 2023, CAGR 2.8% over five years
Verified17Menswear segment valued at AUD 7.2 billion in 2023, growing 3.1%
Verified18Womenswear dominated with AUD 14.5 billion in 2023, 52% market share
Verified19Lingerie and underwear market AUD 1.1 billion in FY2023, up 4.5%
Directional20Accessories fashion revenue AUD 2.7 billion in 2023, 5.8% growth
Single source21Total fashion industry taxes paid AUD 2.9 billion in 2023
Verified22Revenue per employee in fashion retail averaged AUD 245,000 in 2023
Verified23Profit margins in apparel manufacturing averaged 3.2% in FY2023
Verified24Cost of goods sold for fashion retail was 65.4% of revenue in 2023
Directional25Marketing expenses for fashion brands averaged 8.1% of revenue in 2023
Single sourceEconomic Impact Interpretation
The Australian fashion industry is a tale of two wardrobes: while the luxury and second-hand sectors are thriving (thanks, high-net-worth individuals and eco-savvy shoppers), our local manufacturers are getting squeezed tighter than a pair of last season’s fast-fashion jeans.
Employment
1The industry employed 250,000 people directly in 2023, representing 2.1% of total employment
Verified2Fashion retail sector provided 180,000 jobs in FY2023, with 45% part-time roles
Verified3Apparel manufacturing jobs numbered 15,000 in 2023, down 12% over five years
Verified4Women comprised 72% of the fashion workforce in 2023
Directional5Average weekly earnings in fashion retail were AUD 1,250 in 2023
Single source6Youth employment (15-24) in fashion was 28,000 jobs in 2023, 11% of sector total
Verified7Full-time fashion jobs averaged 38.5 hours/week in 2023
Verified8Turnover rate in fashion retail stood at 22.4% in 2023
Verified9Indigenous employment in fashion reached 2,500 jobs in 2023, up 8%
Directional10Casual workers made up 55% of fashion retail staff in FY2023
Single source11Manufacturing roles declined by 1,200 in 2023 due to automation
Verified12Designers and buyers numbered 12,000 in 2023, 5% growth
Verified13Retail sales assistants in fashion: 95,000 jobs in 2023
Verified14Managers in fashion sector: 25,000 positions in 2023
Directional15Apprenticeships in fashion manufacturing: 1,800 active in 2023
Single source16Unemployment rate in fashion industry was 4.8% in Q4 2023
Verified17Migrant workers comprised 18% of fashion workforce in 2023
Verified18Overtime hours averaged 2.3 per week in fashion retail 2023
Verified19Job vacancies in fashion retail: 15,200 in Nov 2023
Directional20Underemployment in sector at 9.2% in 2023
Single source2162% of fashion workers had vocational qualifications in 2023
Verified2245-54 age group largest in fashion employment at 28% share in 2023
Verified23Regional fashion jobs: 45,000 outside major cities in 2023
VerifiedEmployment Interpretation
Australia's fashion industry is a quarter-million-person-strong tapestry where the vibrant threads of retail (heavily stitched with part-time, casual, and youthful labor) are trying to cover the bare patch of a shrinking manufacturing base, all while being deftly held together by a predominantly female workforce whose pockets aren't quite as full as the racks they stock.
Sustainability
147% of fashion brands used sustainable materials in collections 2023
Verified2Industry water usage totaled 1.2 billion litres in FY2023
Verified335% reduction in carbon emissions targeted by 2030, 12% achieved by 2023
Verified462% of consumers demanded eco-labels on clothing in 2023 survey
Directional5Textile waste generated 140,000 tonnes annually in Australia 2023
Single source6Recycled content in new garments averaged 15% across brands 2023
Verified728% of production used organic cotton in 2023, up from 18% 2020
Verified8Microplastic shedding from synthetics: 500 tonnes/year from laundry 2023
Verified9Zero-waste pattern cutting adopted by 22% of designers 2023
Directional10Energy consumption in manufacturing down 18% since 2018 to 2023
Single source1175% of major brands committed to net-zero by 2050 in 2023
Verified12Chemical pollution from dyeing reduced 25% industry-wide 2023
Verified13Circular economy initiatives covered 40% of market value 2023
Verified14Biodiversity impact: 15% of brands assessed supply chains 2023
Directional15Repair services utilized by 31% of consumers in 2023
Single source16Biodegradable packaging used by 56% of retailers 2023
Verified17Scope 3 emissions reporting by 48% of listed fashion firms 2023
Verified18Upcycled fashion sales grew 22% to AUD 450 million 2023
Verified19Water recycling in factories reached 65% efficiency 2023 average
DirectionalSustainability Interpretation
While the industry deserves half-credit for good intentions on the sustainable materials front, it’s clear the road to actual eco-credentials is paved with consumer demand for labels, a mountain of textile waste, and a dishearteningly small pile of recycled content in our actual closets.
Trade and International
1Fashion exports totaled AUD 1.1 billion in FY2023, up 5.2% YoY
Verified2Imports of apparel reached AUD 12.4 billion in 2023, 85% from Asia
Verified3Key export markets: USA AUD 250 million, UK AUD 180 million in 2023
Verified4Footwear exports grew 9.1% to AUD 320 million in FY2023
Directional5China was top import source at AUD 4.2 billion for apparel 2023
Single source6Trade surplus in textiles negative AUD 10.3 billion in 2023
Verified7EU fashion imports AUD 1.8 billion, up 7% in 2023
Verified8Australian brands exported to 45 countries in 2023
Verified9Duty-free apparel imports valued AUD 8.9 billion under FTAs 2023
Directional10Knitwear exports AUD 150 million, primarily to Japan 2023
Single source11Import tariffs averaged 5.2% on non-FTA apparel in 2023
Verified12Online cross-border fashion imports AUD 2.1 billion in 2023
Verified13Vietnam supplied 22% of apparel imports AUD 2.7 billion 2023
Verified14Export growth to ASEAN countries 12% at AUD 400 million 2023
Directional15Luxury fashion imports from Italy AUD 450 million in 2023
Single source16Domestic content in exports averaged 65% for apparel 2023
Verified17Bangladesh imports AUD 1.5 billion, 12% of total apparel 2023
Verified18Trade fairs generated AUD 50 million in export deals 2023
Verified19India as emerging export market AUD 80 million growth 2023
Directional20Second-hand fashion exports AUD 120 million to Asia 2023
Single source2192% of fashion production offshored in 2023, imports dominant
VerifiedTrade and International Interpretation
The Australian fashion industry has become a world-class designer and marketer of its own identity, but it stubbornly insists on wearing clothes made almost entirely by its overseas neighbours.
Sources & References
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