From the copper-rich earth powering our world to wind farms harnessing the boundless outback skies, South Australia's industries are not just thriving—they're building a future as dynamic as the statistics are staggering.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022-23, South Australia's mining sector produced 460,000 tonnes of copper concentrate
- Olympic Dam mine in South Australia produced 152,000 tonnes of uranium oxide in 2022
- South Australia's iron ore production reached 11.2 million tonnes in 2022-23
- In 2022-23, South Australia's advanced manufacturing sector output reached $8.7 billion
- The defence industry in South Australia employed 26,000 people in 2023
- ASC Pty Ltd delivered 3 Hunter class frigates construction contracts worth $35 billion in 2022
- In 2022-23, South Australia's agriculture sector produced 1.2 million tonnes of barley
- SA wine grape crush totalled 650,000 tonnes in 2023 vintage
- Sheep flock in South Australia numbered 11.5 million head in 2022
- In 2023, South Australia's renewable energy capacity reached 7,800 MW
- SA generated 70% of its electricity from renewables in 2022-23
- Hornsdale Power Reserve battery stored 150 MW/193.5 MWh as of 2023 expansion
- In 2022-23, South Australia's tourism industry contributed $5.6 billion to GSP
- SA welcomed 7.2 million visitors in 2022-23
- International visitor spend in SA reached $1.1 billion in 2023 FY
South Australia's industry thrives through strong mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
Advanced Manufacturing and Defence
- In 2022-23, South Australia's advanced manufacturing sector output reached $8.7 billion
- The defence industry in South Australia employed 26,000 people in 2023
- ASC Pty Ltd delivered 3 Hunter class frigates construction contracts worth $35 billion in 2022
- South Australia's manufacturing GSP contribution was 7.2% in 2022-23
- Over 400 defence supply chain companies operate in South Australia as of 2023
- The AUKUS submarine program will create 7,000 direct jobs in SA manufacturing by 2030
- South Australia's automotive sector remanufactured 50,000 components in 2022
- Manufacturing exports from SA totalled $4.2 billion in 2022-23
- BAE Systems Australia in SA produces components for 20 MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones annually
- The SA medical devices manufacturing sector generated $1.1 billion in revenue in 2022
- Defence SA's industry programs supported 1,200 SMEs in manufacturing in 2023
- South Australia's space industry manufacturing output was $500 million in 2022-23
- ElectraNet's manufacturing partners produced 2,000 km of transmission cables in SA in 2022
- The steel fabrication sector in SA manufactured 150,000 tonnes of structural steel in 2022-23
- SA's precision engineering firms supplied $300 million to defence primes in 2022
- Manufacturing R&D expenditure in SA was $450 million in 2021-22
- 15% growth in SA defence manufacturing jobs from 2021 to 2023
- SA produced 1.2 million wine barrels' worth of oak staves in manufacturing in 2022
- The bakery manufacturing industry in SA outputted 250,000 tonnes of products in 2022-23
- SA's chemical manufacturing sector produced 500,000 tonnes of industrial chemicals in 2022
- Plastics manufacturing in SA reached 120,000 tonnes production in 2022-23
- SA furniture manufacturing exports were $80 million in 2022
- The SA electronics manufacturing sector assembled 100,000 circuit boards in 2023
Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Interpretation
While South Australia's economy is literally fortified by billions in defence contracts and fleets of high-tech drones, it also hums along producing the wine barrels, bread, and furniture that prove a state can simultaneously build frigates and a damn good charcuterie board.
Food and Agribusiness
- In 2022-23, South Australia's agriculture sector produced 1.2 million tonnes of barley
- SA wine grape crush totalled 650,000 tonnes in 2023 vintage
- Sheep flock in South Australia numbered 11.5 million head in 2022
- SA almond production reached 45,000 tonnes in 2022-23 season
- Value of SA seafood catch was $220 million in 2022-23
- 850,000 tonnes of wheat harvested in SA in 2022-23
- SA dairy herd produced 1.1 billion litres of milk in 2022-23
- Citrus production in SA totalled 120,000 tonnes in 2022-23
- SA olive oil production was 2.5 million litres in 2023
- 3.2 million tonnes of canola crushed in SA facilities in 2022-23
- SA beef cattle numbers stood at 850,000 head in 2022
- Premium food exports from SA reached $1.5 billion in 2022-23
- 15,000 hectares under wine grapes in SA's Barossa Valley in 2023
- SA honey production totalled 5,000 tonnes in 2022
- Potato production in SA was 180,000 tonnes in 2022-23
- SA goat meat production contributed 10,000 tonnes in 2022
- 400,000 tonnes of lentils produced in SA in 2022-23
- SA aquaculture farmed 12,000 tonnes of southern rock lobster in 2022-23
- Vegetable exports from SA were $150 million in 2022
- SA piggery industry produced 120,000 tonnes of pork in 2022-23
- 2.5 million dozen eggs produced annually in SA farms in 2022
- SA cherry production hit 8,000 tonnes in 2023 season
- Horticulture gross value in SA was $1.2 billion in 2022-23
- SA merino wool clip was 25,000 tonnes in 2022
- 550,000 tonnes of oats grown in SA in 2022-23
- Food processing employment in SA agriculture sector was 25,000 jobs in 2023
- SA pistachio orchards produced 1,500 tonnes in 2022-23
Food and Agribusiness Interpretation
It’s clear South Australia doesn’t just farm food, it carefully curates a very sophisticated picnic for the planet, complete with wine, cheese, lobster, and a wool blanket for dessert.
Mining and Resources
- In 2022-23, South Australia's mining sector produced 460,000 tonnes of copper concentrate
- Olympic Dam mine in South Australia produced 152,000 tonnes of uranium oxide in 2022
- South Australia's iron ore production reached 11.2 million tonnes in 2022-23
- The value of gold production in South Australia was $285 million in 2022-23
- South Australia exported $4.8 billion worth of minerals in 2022-23, primarily copper and uranium
- Carrapateena copper-gold mine produced 55,000 tonnes of copper equivalent in its first full year 2022
- South Australia's gypsum production was 1.1 million tonnes in 2022-23
- The Prominent Hill mine contributed 120,000 ounces of gold in 2022
- South Australia's mining industry employed 28,000 people in 2023
- Exports of South Australian uranium reached $1.2 billion in 2022-23
- The mining sector accounted for 12.5% of South Australia's Gross State Product in 2022-23
- South Australia produced 620,000 tonnes of zinc concentrates in 2022-23 from the Rosebery mine operations linkage
- Over 500 exploration tenements were active in South Australia in 2023
- The value of opal production in South Australia was $15 million in 2022
- South Australia's salt production totalled 900,000 tonnes in 2022-23
- Copper cathode production in SA reached 180,000 tonnes in 2022
- The mining industry invested $2.1 billion in capital expenditure in South Australia in 2022-23
- South Australia has 1.2 million tonnes of rare earth oxides reserves at Koppamurra
- 45 new mining leases were granted in South Australia in 2022-23
- The Challenger gold mine produced 65,000 ounces in 2022
- South Australia's mineral processing facilities handled 15 million tonnes of ore in 2022-23
- Exports to China from SA mining sector were $2.5 billion in 2022
- The Ennuin gold project produced initial 20,000 ounces in 2023 ramp-up
- South Australia's lithium exploration investments totalled $150 million in 2022
- 12,000 tonnes of nickel concentrates produced in SA in 2022-23
- The mining workforce in SA had a 4.5% increase in employment from 2021 to 2022
- South Australia's critical minerals projects number 25 active in 2023
- Value added by mining to SA economy was $15.4 billion in 2021-22
- 320,000 tonnes of lead produced in SA mines in 2022-23
- South Australia's mining royalties generated $450 million for the state in 2022-23
Mining and Resources Interpretation
South Australia isn't just digging in the dirt; with billions in exports, thousands employed, and metals ranging from the essential copper to the critical rare earths, it's the state's serious, shiny backbone cleverly powering its economy and the world's future.
Renewable Energy
- In 2023, South Australia's renewable energy capacity reached 7,800 MW
- SA generated 70% of its electricity from renewables in 2022-23
- Hornsdale Power Reserve battery stored 150 MW/193.5 MWh as of 2023 expansion
- SA wind farms produced 5,500 GWh in 2022-23
- Solar PV installations in SA totalled 2.5 GW rooftop capacity in 2023
- The Lincoln Gap Wind Farm generated 1.4 million MWh annually
- SA hydrogen projects under development total 11 with 2.5 GW electrolyser capacity
- 1,200 MW of new solar farms commissioned in SA since 2020
- SA's grid-scale battery storage reached 600 MW/1,000 MWh in 2023
- Exports of SA renewable electricity via interconnectors hit 2 TWh in 2022-23
- Tailem Bend Solar Farm produces 250 MW with 830,000 panels
- SA geothermal exploration wells drilled total 12 since 2002
- 45% of SA households have solar panels as of 2023
- The Whyalla Green Hydrogen project plans 1.25 GW electrolysers
- SA pumped hydro storage potential is 3 GW at Cultana
- Wind turbine manufacturing in SA supported 500 jobs in 2023
- SA achieved 100% renewable generation for 100+ days in 2023
- 300 MW of community batteries installed across SA by 2023
- SA green hydrogen exports targeted at $10 billion by 2030
- Snowtown Wind Farms combined output 1,000 MW capacity
- SA solar thermal projects under feasibility total 200 MW
- 20% reduction in renewable LCOE in SA from 2020-2023
- SA wave energy test sites generated 1 GWh pilot data by 2023
- 650 MW new wind capacity approved in SA in 2023
- SA's VPP aggregated 50 MW residential solar in Hornsdale
- Bioenergy from SA waste totals 50 MW potential
- SA electrolyser manufacturing hub produces 100 MW modules annually
- 8,000 MW renewable pipeline in SA development queue 2023
Renewable Energy Interpretation
While one might think South Australia is quietly sipping a responsible glass of chardonnay, it's actually gulping lightning from its sky and wind to become a global green energy powerhouse that's storing sunshine for a rainy day and betting its future on hydrogen.
Tourism and Hospitality
- In 2022-23, South Australia's tourism industry contributed $5.6 billion to GSP
- SA welcomed 7.2 million visitors in 2022-23
- International visitor spend in SA reached $1.1 billion in 2023 FY
- Adelaide's hotel occupancy rate averaged 72% in 2023
- SA wine tourism generated $2.2 billion in 2022
- 1.5 million domestic overnight visitors to Flinders Ranges in 2022-23
- SA accommodation sector employed 28,000 people in 2023
- Cruise ship passengers in Adelaide totalled 120,000 in 2022-23 season
- Barossa Valley cellar door sales were $450 million in 2023
- SA adventure tourism activities booked 500,000 participants in 2022
- Kangaroo Island tourism recovery reached 85% pre-COVID levels in 2023
- 2.8 million visitor nights in Adelaide CBD in 2022-23
- SA food and beverage tourism spend $1.8 billion annually
- Eco-tourism operators in SA numbered 350 in 2023
- Airlie Beach equivalent day trips from SA tourism 4 million in 2022
- SA festivals attracted 1.2 million attendees in 2023
- Hotel room nights sold in SA totalled 8.5 million in 2022-23
- 25% growth in SA indigenous tourism experiences booked 2022-23
- Coober Pedy opal tourism generated $50 million spend in 2022
- SA aviation tourism arrivals 3.5 million passengers in 2023
- Hospitality venues in SA totalled 5,200 cafes and restaurants in 2023
- Glamping sites in SA increased to 150 sites hosting 200,000 guests in 2022
- SA events tourism ROI was $12 for every $1 invested in 2023
- 650,000 visitors to Adelaide Oval events annually
- Road trip tourism in SA covered 15 million km driven by visitors in 2022-23
- SA luxury accommodation occupancy 65% with ADR $350/night in 2023
- Cultural tourism sites in SA saw 2.1 million visits in 2022-23
- SA short-term rental listings totalled 12,000 Airbnb equivalents in 2023
Tourism and Hospitality Interpretation
While South Australia's tourism sector is clearly uncorking a triumphant vintage of economic prosperity—from bustling festivals and adventurous outback road trips to gourmet feasts and luxury glamping—its real success lies in masterfully transforming every visitor's curiosity into a measurable contribution, proving that the state is far more than just a pretty glass of Shiraz.
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