From billion-dollar GDP contributions to shifting consumer trends, the Australian fashion industry is a dynamic economic powerhouse worth examining beyond the runway, as outlined by the fashion stylists collaborating with Rawshot AI.
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.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Behaviour23 stats
01
78% of consumers aged 18-34 purchased fashion online in 2023 survey
02
Sustainable fashion preference rose to 67% among Australians in 2023, up from 52% in 2021
03
Average annual fashion spend per capita AUD 1,250 in 2023
04
41% of shoppers bought fast fashion in past month per 2023 survey
05
Online fashion purchases averaged 4.2 per consumer yearly in 2023
06
55% of women prioritized price over brand in 2023 buying decisions
07
Gen Z (born 1997-2012) spent 32% more on athleisure in 2023
08
29% returned online fashion purchases in 2023, average return rate
09
Brand loyalty in fashion dropped to 38% in 2023 from 45% in 2020
10
64% influenced by social media in fashion buys per 2023 poll
11
Average basket size for fashion e-commerce AUD 85 in 2023
12
52% of consumers shopped sales/discounts monthly in 2023
13
Vegan/leather alternative preference 23% in 2023 survey
14
Mobile app usage for fashion shopping 48% in 2023
15
Impulse buys accounted for 37% of fashion purchases in 2023
16
71% read reviews before buying fashion online 2023
17
Seasonal purchases peaked at 60% in spring 2023
18
Loyalty program participation 49% among fashion shoppers 2023
19
Size inclusivity influenced 34% of purchases in 2023
20
Subscription box fashion users grew 18% to 120,000 in 2023
21
39% of men increased fashion spending post-2022
22
76% of fashion waste recycled by consumers in 2023 self-report
23
68% of Australians aged 25-44 owned fast fashion items in 2023
Interpretation
Consumer 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.
report visual · Key figures
Australian fashion: online & sustainable shopper signals (2023)
Online purchasing is widespread while sustainability interest is rising—two headline indicators of consumer direction.
78%
78% of consumers aged 18-34 purchased fashion online in 2023 survey
67%
Sustainable fashion preference rose to 67% among Australians in 2023, up from 52% in 2021
64%
64% influenced by social media in fashion buys per 2023 poll
71%
71% read reviews before buying fashion online 2023
02 · Category
Economic Impact25 stats
01
In 2023, the Australian fashion industry contributed AUD 28.4 billion to the national GDP, accounting for 1.2% of total GDP
02
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
03
Fashion retail sales reached AUD 27.1 billion in 2022-23, with online sales comprising 22.4% of total sales
04
The luxury fashion segment grew by 7.8% YoY in 2023, valued at AUD 4.3 billion, driven by high-net-worth individuals
05
Total industry revenue for clothing retailing was AUD 25.6 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 2.1% over the past five years
06
Footwear retailing contributed AUD 4.8 billion to the economy in FY2023, facing 1.9% decline due to e-commerce shifts
07
The Australian fashion market size was estimated at AUD 32.5 billion in 2023, projected to grow at 3.4% CAGR to 2028
08
Textile manufacturing revenue stood at AUD 2.1 billion in 2023, with a 4.2% annual decline over five years
09
Fast fashion segment sales hit AUD 12.3 billion in 2023, representing 43% of total apparel retail
10
Independent fashion brands generated AUD 3.7 billion in 2022, up 5.6% from 2021
11
The industry paid AUD 15.2 billion in wages and salaries in 2023, supporting economic multipliers
12
Fashion e-commerce revenue reached AUD 6.1 billion in 2023, with 28% growth rate
13
Second-hand fashion market valued at AUD 1.8 billion in 2023, growing 15% YoY
14
Sportswear segment revenue was AUD 5.4 billion in FY2023, up 6.2%
15
Bridal wear market size AUD 1.2 billion in 2023, stable post-COVID
16
Children's apparel retail hit AUD 3.9 billion in 2023, CAGR 2.8% over five years
17
Menswear segment valued at AUD 7.2 billion in 2023, growing 3.1%
18
Womenswear dominated with AUD 14.5 billion in 2023, 52% market share
19
Lingerie and underwear market AUD 1.1 billion in FY2023, up 4.5%
20
Accessories fashion revenue AUD 2.7 billion in 2023, 5.8% growth
21
Total fashion industry taxes paid AUD 2.9 billion in 2023
22
Revenue per employee in fashion retail averaged AUD 245,000 in 2023
23
Profit margins in apparel manufacturing averaged 3.2% in FY2023
24
Cost of goods sold for fashion retail was 65.4% of revenue in 2023
25
Marketing expenses for fashion brands averaged 8.1% of revenue in 2023
Interpretation
Economic 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.
03 · Category
Employment23 stats
01
The industry employed 250,000 people directly in 2023, representing 2.1% of total employment
02
Fashion retail sector provided 180,000 jobs in FY2023, with 45% part-time roles
03
Apparel manufacturing jobs numbered 15,000 in 2023, down 12% over five years
04
Women comprised 72% of the fashion workforce in 2023
05
Average weekly earnings in fashion retail were AUD 1,250 in 2023
06
Youth employment (15-24) in fashion was 28,000 jobs in 2023, 11% of sector total
07
Full-time fashion jobs averaged 38.5 hours/week in 2023
08
Turnover rate in fashion retail stood at 22.4% in 2023
09
Indigenous employment in fashion reached 2,500 jobs in 2023, up 8%
10
Casual workers made up 55% of fashion retail staff in FY2023
11
Manufacturing roles declined by 1,200 in 2023 due to automation
12
Designers and buyers numbered 12,000 in 2023, 5% growth
13
Retail sales assistants in fashion: 95,000 jobs in 2023
14
Managers in fashion sector: 25,000 positions in 2023
15
Apprenticeships in fashion manufacturing: 1,800 active in 2023
16
Unemployment rate in fashion industry was 4.8% in Q4 2023
17
Migrant workers comprised 18% of fashion workforce in 2023
18
Overtime hours averaged 2.3 per week in fashion retail 2023
19
Job vacancies in fashion retail: 15,200 in Nov 2023
20
Underemployment in sector at 9.2% in 2023
21
62% of fashion workers had vocational qualifications in 2023
22
45-54 age group largest in fashion employment at 28% share in 2023
23
Regional fashion jobs: 45,000 outside major cities in 2023
Interpretation
Employment 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sustainability19 stats
01
47% of fashion brands used sustainable materials in collections 2023
02
Industry water usage totaled 1.2 billion litres in FY2023
03
35% reduction in carbon emissions targeted by 2030, 12% achieved by 2023
04
62% of consumers demanded eco-labels on clothing in 2023 survey
05
Textile waste generated 140,000 tonnes annually in Australia 2023
06
Recycled content in new garments averaged 15% across brands 2023
07
28% of production used organic cotton in 2023, up from 18% 2020
08
Microplastic shedding from synthetics: 500 tonnes/year from laundry 2023
09
Zero-waste pattern cutting adopted by 22% of designers 2023
10
Energy consumption in manufacturing down 18% since 2018 to 2023
11
75% of major brands committed to net-zero by 2050 in 2023
12
Chemical pollution from dyeing reduced 25% industry-wide 2023
13
Circular economy initiatives covered 40% of market value 2023
14
Biodiversity impact: 15% of brands assessed supply chains 2023
15
Repair services utilized by 31% of consumers in 2023
16
Biodegradable packaging used by 56% of retailers 2023
17
Scope 3 emissions reporting by 48% of listed fashion firms 2023
18
Upcycled fashion sales grew 22% to AUD 450 million 2023
19
Water recycling in factories reached 65% efficiency 2023 average
Interpretation
Sustainability 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.
05 · Category
Trade and International21 stats
01
Fashion exports totaled AUD 1.1 billion in FY2023, up 5.2% YoY
02
Imports of apparel reached AUD 12.4 billion in 2023, 85% from Asia
03
Key export markets: USA AUD 250 million, UK AUD 180 million in 2023
04
Footwear exports grew 9.1% to AUD 320 million in FY2023
05
China was top import source at AUD 4.2 billion for apparel 2023
06
Trade surplus in textiles negative AUD 10.3 billion in 2023
07
EU fashion imports AUD 1.8 billion, up 7% in 2023
08
Australian brands exported to 45 countries in 2023
09
Duty-free apparel imports valued AUD 8.9 billion under FTAs 2023
10
Knitwear exports AUD 150 million, primarily to Japan 2023
11
Import tariffs averaged 5.2% on non-FTA apparel in 2023
12
Online cross-border fashion imports AUD 2.1 billion in 2023
13
Vietnam supplied 22% of apparel imports AUD 2.7 billion 2023
14
Export growth to ASEAN countries 12% at AUD 400 million 2023
15
Luxury fashion imports from Italy AUD 450 million in 2023
16
Domestic content in exports averaged 65% for apparel 2023
17
Bangladesh imports AUD 1.5 billion, 12% of total apparel 2023
18
Trade fairs generated AUD 50 million in export deals 2023
19
India as emerging export market AUD 80 million growth 2023
20
Second-hand fashion exports AUD 120 million to Asia 2023
21
92% of fashion production offshored in 2023, imports dominant
Interpretation
Trade 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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Australian Fashion Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australian-fashion-industry-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Australian Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australian-fashion-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Australian Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australian-fashion-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
59 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
shopify.comethicalconsumer.org.au