Australia’s Trade by State and Territory

A new trade publication which reflects Australia’s diversity as a trading nation was today released by the Australian Government Minister for Trade, Warren Truss.

Australia’s Trade by State and Territory, 2005-06 provides a comprehensive statistical analysis of each state and territory’s trade in goods by commodity, level of processing and by partner country. Services trade for each state and territory is also analysed.

Mr Truss said all states and territories contributed to Australia’s 17 per cent rise in exports to $196 billion in 2005-06.

“Western Australia was the number one export state with exports increasing 21 per cent to $51.3 billion in the last financial year. Western Australia accounted for 26 per cent of Australian exports of goods and services in 2005-06. Queensland’s total exports were up 28 per cent to $42.5 billion,” Mr Truss said.

“Mineral and fuel exports contributed nearly half of exports from Western Australia and Queensland in 2005‑06 - with these exports rising 52 per cent to $18.1 billion and 35 per cent to $25.3 billion respectively.”

Merchandise exports rose 23 per cent to $47.7 billion in Western Australia in the past financial year. Exports of primary products jumped 30 per cent to $29.7 billion and minerals exports increased strongly – up 57 per cent to $14.7 billion, mainly due to higher world commodity prices.

Queensland’s largest export markets in 2005-06 were: Japan ($9.8 billion); the Republic of Korea ($4.0 billion); India ($2.9 billion); China ($2.8 billion); and Taiwan ($2.0 billion).

“An increased demand from these economies upon the resources sector has driven export growth for the markets – with coal remaining a principal export commodity.”

Mr Truss said New South Wales exports grew 11 per cent to $44.3 billion, with major exports including coal, aluminium, copper ores, medicaments and refined petroleum. New South Wales exports included for more than a third of Australia’s services exports - valued at $17.4 billion.

“Victoria’s exports rose five per cent to $29.1 billion in 2005-06, with a third of export revenue coming from manufactured goods including motor vehicles and parts, aluminium, and medicaments. Rural exports such as dairy products, wool, meat and wine also contributed strongly.

“Exports from South Australia rose 18 per cent to $10.7 billion in 2005-06 and included wine, motor vehicles, copper, wheat and lead. Tasmanian exports increased nine per cent to $3.2 billion and included zinc, aluminium, wood chips, copper ores, and beef.”

Mr Truss said exports from the Northern Territory rose 14 per cent to $3.4 billion in 2005-06. In the ACT, exports (dominated by services) rose 7 per cent to $912 million.

Australia’s Trade by State and Territory, 2005-06 is one of a series of statistical publications released each year by DFAT. For further information, call 02 6261 3114, or email statssection@dfat.gov.au. The analysis and summary tables from publications, and an order form, are available at: www.dfat.gov.au/publications/statistics.html.

Media Inquiries: Minister Truss' office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555