The AUD/USD exchange rate rose to 0.6611 on October 3, 2025, up 0.23% from the previous session. Over the past month, the Australian Dollar has strengthened 1.36%, but it's down by 2.68% over the last 12 months. Australian Dollar - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on October of 2025.

A graphic that displays the dollar performance against other currencies reveals that economic developments had mixed results on currency exchanges. The third quarter of 2023 marked a period of disinflation in the euro area, while China's projected growth was projected to go up. The United States economy was said to have a relatively strong performance in Q3 2023, although growing capital market interest rate and the resumption of student loan repayments might dampen this growth at the end of 2023. A relatively weak Japanese yen Q3 2023 saw pressure from investors towards Japanese authorities on how they would respond to the situation surrounding the Japanese yen. The USD/JPY rate was close to ***, whereas analysts suspected it should be around ** given the country's purchase power parity. The main reason for this disparity is said to be the differences in central bank interest rates between the United States, the euro area, and Japan. Any future aggressive changes from, especially the U.S. Fed might lower those differences. Financial markets responded somewhat disappoint when Japan did not announce major plans to tackle the situation. Potential rent decreases in 2024 Central bank rates peak in 2023, although it is expected that some of these will decline in early 2024. That said, analysts expect overall policies will remain restrictive. For example, the Bank of England's interest rate remained unchanged at **** percent in Q3 2023. It is believed the United Kingdom's central bank will ease its interest rate in 2024 but less than either the U.S. Fed or the European Central Bank. This should be a positive development for the pound compared to either the euro or the dollar.

One United States dollar was worth over ******** Indonesian rupiah in August 2025, the highest value in a comparison of over 50 different currencies worldwide. All countries and territories shown here are based on the Big Mac Index - a measurement of how much a single Big Mac is worth across different areas in the world. This exchange rate comparison reveals a strong position of the dollar in Asia and Latin America. Note, though, that several of the top currencies shown here do not rank among the most traded. The quarterly U.S. dollar exchange rate against the ten biggest forex currencies only contains the Korean won and the Japanese yen.

Industry revenue is expected to have dropped at an annualised 0.6% over the five years through 2024-25, to $12.0 billion. This includes a contraction of 3.4% in 2024-25, corresponding with a slump in sales to mining companies.Distributors have faced divergent trends in the core material handling equipment markets, including collapsing activity in the Mining division since 2022-23 due to a contraction in commodity export prices. A weak performance in the multi-unit apartment construction market over the past five years has constrained sales of high-rise cranes. However, this has been partly offset by buoyant investment in non-residential building and transport infrastructure projects, which have underpinned sales of load-bearing cranes, loading platforms, hoists and forklifts. The industry has derived substantial stimulus from favourable conditions in the transportation and warehousing markets. These markets have fuelled sales of sophisticated materials handling equipment to manoeuvre, transport and store merchandise and bulk commodities. Favourable but volatile conditions in the agriculture, forestry and fishing markets have contributed to solid growth in harvesting, haulage and stock storage equipment sales. Accelerated growth in capital expenditure on machinery and equipment has lifted material handling equipment sales in the industrial and commercial markets. A return to favourable trends in the downstream construction, transport and storage markets will help offset a forecast contraction in sales of material handling products to the Mining division over the five years through 2029-30. Deteriorating global commodity prices and an appreciating Australian dollar are set to drive down mineral and energy exports and limit sales of new handling equipment. Industry revenue is projected to climb at an annualised 1.0% over the five years through 2029-30, to $12.6 billion, generating modest growth in profitability and causing employment to inch upwards.

This table contains 27 series, with data starting from 1981 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 item: Canada) Type of currency (27 items: Australian dollar, monthly average; Brazilian real, monthly average; Chinese renminbi, monthly average; European euro, monthly average; ...).

Operators in the Glass Wool, Stone and Non-Metallic Mineral Product Manufacturing industry have faced mixed trading conditions. The industry's products are mainly used in construction and manufacturing, exposing the industry to volatility in these downstream markets. Lockdowns, trading restrictions and logistical delays constrained demand from crucial downstream markets, disrupting activity in both residential and non-residential building construction. While stimulus packages like the HomeBuilder scheme provided some relief, strong inflation and rising interest rates post-pandemic have since weakened early gains. Overall, industry revenue is expected to have grown at an annualised 3.3% over the five years through 2024-25, to $3.3 billion. This includes an anticipated rise of 1.2% in 2024-25, largely due to recovering demand from downstream construction markets. Various factors have influenced the industry's performance. Demand from manufacturing and mining sectors, which accounts for about one-fifth of sales, have created pocket opportunities. The use of thermal insulation in various industrial applications has been crucial in offsetting some of the losses incurred from reduced demand in other sectors. Although an appreciating Australian dollar has made imports more affordable, Australia’s strong reputation for high-quality goods and a shift towards supporting local manufacturing have enabled local production to gain ground. The industry has weathered the threat of less expensive synthetics, like concrete in place of building stones, through stronger export activities and increased automation, which has reduced wage costs’ share of revenue. Going forwards, easing inflation and potential drops in interest rates are forecast to rejuvenate demand from the residential building market. The shift towards apartment and townhouse construction could further bolster this trend. Non-residential construction activity is also projected to ramp up over the five years through 2029-30, with government capital expenditure set to rise. Even though the Australian dollar is forecast to appreciate, making affordable imports more appealing, the global need for the industry’s products is likely to strengthen export activities, ensuring a competitive edge in international trade and helping improve profitability. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualised 1.7% over the five years through 2029-30, to reach $3.6 billion.

The Men's and Boys' Wear Manufacturing industry faces declining revenue because of intense global competition and the presence of low-cost imports. Overseas manufacturers from China and Bangladesh offer significantly lower production costs, making it difficult for domestic manufacturers to compete. These imports attract budget-conscious consumers with competitive pricing and quality, diminishing domestic manufacturers' market share. Overall, industry revenue is expected to contract at an annualised 4.1% over the five years to 2024-25, to total $258.1 million. This includes an anticipated 2.9% drop in 2024-25, with many manufacturers moving production offshore to stay competitive, driving down employment and industry participation. The growth of ecommerce platforms with affordable international products has also eroded the influence of traditional department stores, compounding the challenges for manufacturers. In the coming years, rising real household disposable income will boost spending on premium men's and boys' clothing as consumers increasingly prioritise quality and sustainability. This shift will benefit manufacturers focusing on high-end, durable products and superior craftsmanship. The trend towards higher-income investment pieces will also drive demand for tailored and custom-made clothing, providing opportunities for small, specialised manufacturers. Meanwhile, demand from clothing retailers is set to climb as they adapt to evolving fashion trends and consumer preferences. Retailers may expand their offerings and seek innovative, sustainable designs, which will drive revenue growth for manufacturers. Although a stronger Australian dollar may cause export costs to swell, it could also enhance profitability by allowing manufacturers to capitalise on premium pricing. An appreciating Australian dollar will encourage the adoption of advanced technologies, like 3D body scanning. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to expand at an annualised 0.8% through the end of 2029-30, to $269.1 million.

The Natural Rubber Product Manufacturing industry has faced considerable volatility in recent years, resulting in a non-insignificant number of manufacturers leaving the industry. Intense competition from low-cost overseas producers and competition from synthetic rubber products has compounded a dramatic drop in demand from the mining and construction sectors, two crucial buyers of natural rubber products. Despite these challenges, the industry maintained a profit margin of 5.9% by focusing on niche product offerings and adopting expanded automated processes, reducing total wages for the industry. Enhanced product quality from imported goods and intense price wars have only intensified the struggle for manufacturers. Revenue has declined at an annualised 4.5% for the five years through 2024-25 to $1.2 billion. This slowing includes an 8.2% drop in 2024-25, primarily because of dampened demand from crucial downstream markets like the manufacturing, mining and construction sectors. The industry will continue to face these same challenges over the preceding five years, although greater demand from the construction and manufacturing sectors will provide moderate relief. Manufacturers that cater to the needs of local companies through the production of custom-moulded natural rubber products have created a competitive advantage by delivering high-quality and unique natural rubber products, particularly for sections of the economy like the Medical and Surgical Equipment Manufacturing industry. This approach has granted them the ability to charge higher prices and mitigate the effects of price competition from imported products. Models forecast revenue to contract and an annualised 0.1% to $1.2 billion for the five years through 2029-30. If current trends continue, demand from the mining sector will slump over this period. An appreciating Australian dollar can pose challenges for domestic manufacturers exporting their products, making them relatively more expensive in international markets. This strengthening of the trade-weighted index may lead to reduced demand and difficulties in maintaining market share abroad, shrinking exports while also making imports more attractive. To counteract these effects, manufacturers can focus on product quality, consider diversifying export destinations and implement efficiency measures to sustain competitiveness despite the stronger currency.

The performance of the Machine Tool Wholesaling industry has aligned with activity trends in the downstream markets of construction, mining and manufacturing. Demand from house construction surged in 2021-22 following low interest rates, boosting sales to the construction market. However, interest rate hikes and building cost increases later in the period curbed activity and revenue, particularly during 2023-24. Robust mining activity, driven by high global commodity prices, contributed to demand for industry goods, although slowdowns in China and falling iron ore prices then dampened sales to mining firms after 2022-23. The recent appreciation of the Australian dollar has supported wholesalers, especially import-focused firms, by lowering relative purchase costs and boosting profitability. Even so, wholesale bypass by large industrial clients, along with declining household discretionary incomes, has constrained growth, leaving traditional wholesalers under pressure to specialise and adapt. Revenue is forecast to climb at an annualised 0.7% over the five years through 2025-26 to total $9.7 billion. This includes an expected 1.3% increase in revenue in 2025-26 as construction activity rebounds. Machine tool wholesalers face a mixed outlook as tariffs and global trade tensions create uncertainty, particularly for imports from the United States and China. However, construction activity is set to pick up, led by government-backed initiatives, interest rate cuts and population growth, pushing up demand and offsetting expected declines in mining-related sales due to easing commodity prices. Advances in technology are set to introduce new products, creating opportunities for wholesalers specialising in distributing innovative machine tools. To remain competitive and counter the threat of wholesale bypass, wholesalers will need to offer value-added services like digital ordering platforms and specialised technical support to ensure they can adapt to evolving buyer preferences. Overall, industrywide revenue is forecast to grow at an annual average rate of 0.9% through the end of 2030-31, to reach an estimated $10.1 billion.

Seed manufacturers are closely connected to the volatile agriculture sector, and demand for seeds can fluctuate greatly from year to year. The past few years have proven this, as weather extremes, including droughts and floods, have intensified these fluctuations across all regions in Australia. However, high rainfall has alleviated drought conditions over the past few years, resulting in an increased number of agriculture firms buying seeds. Still, seed production revenue is expected to have slumped at an annualised 1.4% over the past five years, to $765.1 million. This includes an anticipated 0.6% hike in 2025-26, as weather conditions normalise and farm outputs improve. Farm conditions have a significant impact on seed sales. For instance, during periods of extreme rainfall, crop farmers typically decrease their seed purchases due to the potential for poor yields. However, low rainfall can boost sales of specific seeds. Australia’s cattle count can also influence demand for seeds, especially those used for stockfeed, like hay. A growing number of cattle means cattle farmers require more feed, which cultivates greater purchases from seed producers. Favourable levels of rainfall and a growing cattle herd have kept profit margins largely stable despite growing purchase costs for key inputs like fertiliser. The Seed Production industry encompasses a number of large producers along with numerous small-scale seed cultivators. There are growing concerns among local seed producers regarding the increasing size and influence of the world's top seed companies in Australia. Seed production revenue will weaken at an annualised 1.0% through 2030-31 to reach $726.0 million. Variable weather and climate conditions will continue to slash revenue. Seed producers will adapt by continuing to invest in drought-resistant seeds, but industry consolidation will persist. As the Australian dollar appreciates, import competition will strengthen and limit local producers’ growth prospects. However, rising sales to export markets, particularly for pasture seeds like lucerne, will underpin limited declines for seed producers. Exploring seed varieties like functional seeds or genetically modified seeds also represents a growth avenue for seed producers.

Australia's annual clothing retail industry revenue amounted to over 24.4 billion Australian dollars in 2024, marking a slight rise from the previous year. In 2020, the industry’s revenue dropped by over one billion Australian dollars after increasing steadily between 2015 and 2019. Australia’s clothing retail industry In the 2024 financial year, New South Wales and Victoria were Australia’s leading states in terms of the number of operating clothing retail businesses and also in clothing industry retail revenue. In 2025, trends showed that Australian consumers were increasingly purchasing clothing online, with fashion retail accounting for just over ten percent of online spending in Australia. Australian shopping trends In recent years, Australian shoppers have become increasingly sustainability conscious, as people across the globe strive to reduce their clothing waste and turn away from fast fashion. More Australian consumers are acknowledging the benefits of trading clothing items in the secondhand circular economy, as well as purchasing clothing created from sustainable and ethically sourced materials, even if it means paying more. Nevertheless, the quality, appearance, and style of apparel remain important factors in Australian consumers’ clothing choices.

The Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing industry has undergone structural and operational changes over the past few years. Several companies have ceased or cut down local production because of changing market conditions, and the industry is in the decline phase of its economic life cycle. Various other chemical sectors use basic organic chemical products as raw material inputs to manufacture petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal-care products, coatings, plastics and explosives. Many of these industries, as are upstream petrochemical suppliers, are undergoing structural change, given ongoing cuts to Australia's refining and associated petrochemical capacity. Volatile chemical prices, rationalisation in the global chemical market and intense import competition have influenced the industry. Gas and oil prices have fluctuated, and feedstock prices have hiked up, making it more expensive for many companies to produce basic organic chemicals. While automation and downsizing have allowed larger manufacturers to maintain their profit margins, high purchase costs and a struggle to compete with imports from overseas have cut into industry performance. Overall, revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 4.1% to $1.9 billion over the five years through 2024-25, although this rate is distorted by a very high degree of revenue volatility. This trend includes an anticipated contraction of 9.1% in the wake of the recent collapse of Qenos, a strategically important olefin and polyolefin manufacturer. Given the integrated nature of the broader chemical sector, its demise will have significant ramifications. Conditions will be less volatile in the coming years, while modest demand from the Manufacturing division will also support revenue. Despite these improvements, manufacturers will likely continue to struggle to compete with imports, which are on track to remain high. Simultaneously, an appreciating Australian dollar is set to make Australian basic organic chemical exports less competitive in international markets. Environmental regulations are likely to escalate, and the costs associated with adhering to them are set to weigh on manufacturers, as will growing moves by their customer base to decarbonise their operations. Given these conflicting variables, revenue is set to climb at an annualised 1.1% to $2.0 billion over the five years through 2029-30.

Industry revenue has increased over the past five years, but this is largely because it has risen from the logistic anomaly seen in 2019-20 due to the pandemic and associated lockdowns. Pandemic restrictions dampened manufacturing, initially causing a decrease in capacity and output. Nevertheless, the industry strongly rebounded, as cash-rich consumers who had accrued savings revived demand from economic sectors like food product manufacturing, and industry manufacturers were able to pass on hiked prices for metal inputs to consumers. Fluctuations in aluminium and iron ore prices have been the main drivers behind the industry’s revenue trends. Aluminium prices fell to notable lows in 2019-20, but the world prices for both aluminium and iron ore skyrocketed in 2020-21, incentivising manufacturers to pass on these costs, which spurred revenue growth. Import competition resurged in 2022-23, with the total value of imports surging 15.3%, which forced industry manufacturers to absorb these higher prices to remain competitive. This has lowered revenue over more recent years, including an anticipated 2.1% fall in 2024-25. Overall, revenue is expected to have grown at an annualised 2.6% over the five years through 2024-25 to $2.3 billion. The industry’s profitability has slowly receded from its 2020-21 highs, hitting 6.7% as a share of revenue in 2024-25. Industry profitability has managed to avoid returning to pre-pandemic levels as manufacturers have decreased wages on the back of greater manufacturing efficiencies with automated production lines. However, intense price-based competition has made it difficult for manufacturers to pass lower input costs along the supply chain. Moving forwards, revenue is set to expand as demand from both food processors and beverage manufacturers increases. However, an increase in environmental, social and governance consciousness among consumers will threaten manufacturers’ expansion. Customers will remain polarised, with some opting for low-cost imports or environmentally friendly alternatives like recycled plastics and paperboard products. An appreciating Australian dollar will support continued growth in imports as overseas manufacturers continue to produce low-cost options. Industry revenue is forecast to rise at an annualised 0.5% over the five years through 2029-30 to $2.4 billion.

The Sunscreen and Other Skincare Product Manufacturing industry is part of the wider Cosmetics, Perfume and Toiletries Manufacturing industry. Given the globalised nature of the beauty industry, international developments in cosmetics and beauty care heavily influence manufacturers. This is best evidenced by the fact that imports satisfy 70% of domestic demand. Despite this, domestic skincare manufacturers are making headway in the sunscreen and skincare market. Many local skincare manufacturers are successfully capitalising on growing consumer demand for natural or organic skin care products by leveraging the functional properties of Australian native botanicals. Emerging 'clean beauty' trends and a growing preference for home-grown brands are also working in favour of local skincare manufacturers. In the wake of COVID-19, skincare manufacturers introduced new 'clean' or 'healthy' skincare products, reflecting increased consumer emphasis on hygiene, safety and self-care. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, growth was driven by strong export earnings, although these have since faltered, dragging down the industry's performance. Manufacturers' revenue is expected to contract by 1.6% annualised over the five years to 2024-25 to reach an estimated $762.5 million. In 2024-25, emergent health, wellbeing and beauty trends will contribute to an expected 2.1% revenue growth. The continued shift towards niche and upscale products will benefit sunscreen and other skincare product manufacturers in the coming years. As will the move by downstream consumers to increasingly favour Australian-made specialist brands with an 'authentic' brand story. Consumer trends favouring local niche, organic, vegan or sustainable brands over mass-market global brands will also support the entry of new small-scale skincare manufacturers, driving future revenue growth. However, an appreciation of the Australian dollar is forecast to limit export – and revenue - growth. The transition towards more specialised products will help support average firm profitability over the period. Manufacturers' revenue is forecast to grow by 3.0% annualised over the five years to 2029-30 to reach $883.5 million.

Rising environmental awareness is drastically redefining many industries, with paper bags and other paper product manufacturing taking swift strides. The public sector's push against single-use plastics has catalysed new opportunities for paper product manufacturers. However, the pandemic has resulted in a significant decline in market demand, especially from severely impacted downstream segments like retail and construction. Although demand is slowly creeping back up as restrictions ease, industry revenue has yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, with an annualised decline of 6.6% expected over the five years through 2023-24. This trend includes an anticipated decrease of 2.9% in the current year, to $903.7 million. The industry substantially contracted following the COVID-19 outbreak. However, many small enterprises turned to digital platforms to sell niche and customisable products, benefiting from an online shopping boom during lockdowns. These lockdowns also encouraged many Australians to enter the industry as sole operators producing handmade products. Despite this, industry participation is set to continue contracting over the next few years due to escalating import competition. Increased import activities, driven by lower operational costs overseas, pose a significant threat to domestic manufacturers. Profit margins are expected to expand in 2023-24, largely due to manufacturers incorporating automation into their processes to enhance operational efficiency and reduce wage costs. Nevertheless, ongoing timber pulp shortages due to native forest logging regulations are inflating procurement costs, creating downwards pressure on industry profitability. Industry revenue is projected to rise incrementally over the coming years, with a forecast annualised increase of 0.6% through 2028-29, reaching $931.8 million. Growth trends in key downstream markets like the retail and construction sectors, is set to support this. However, a projected appreciation in the Australian dollar could intensify competition from overseas manufacturers, increasing imports’ price attractiveness and exerting downwards pressure on profit margins. Despite these challenges, the industry retains a promising outlook. Its adaptability and trend of implementing technological advancements are poised to underpin resilience, offering hope for sustained stability and future growth.

Mixed weather, rising import penetration and economic pressures have stifled the Floriculture Production industry's performance. The pandemic, followed by floods across Australia in 2022-23, negatively affected demand and production volumes. Inflationary pressures followed, leading to lower discretionary income, which has reduced spending on industry products. Rising import volumes from countries like Malaysia and Kenya, which offer competing products at lower prices, compound these negative factors. Revenue is expected to slip by an annualised 4.8% over the five years through 2024-25 to $249.5 million. This trend includes an estimated dip of 0.8% in the current year, as intense import competition and lower household discretionary incomes restrict domestic sales. The industry has faced rising input costs. Industry purchases, including fertilisers, mulch and irrigation materials, have seen significant cost increases over the past five years, with a notable surge in 2022-23 because of the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite these challenges and mounting price competition from low-cost imports, industry profitability has remained stable. Growers have mitigated cost pressures by enhancing productivity through automated systems and focusing on high-margin decorative arrangements. Large retailers and supermarkets increasingly dominate the market, opting for direct supply agreements and bypassing traditional wholesale channels, slightly aiding growers' bottom line. Favourable forecast economic conditions are poised to support industry growth over the next five years. This includes rising consumer sentiment and climbing discretionary income resulting from easing inflation. Consumers' preference for non-essential items like traditional flowers will boost spending, particularly through supermarkets and convenience stores that offer competitive prices. This increased spending is set to attract new entrants, fostering industry expansion. This combination of factors is forecast to culminate in annualised growth of 1.2% over the five years through 2029-30 to $265.0 million. A projected appreciation of the Australian dollar will make imports less costly while negatively affecting export competitiveness, slightly constraining growth. However, growing demand for Australian native plants in Asia and support from initiatives like the Export Market Development Grants will help smaller growers navigate export challenges.

The industry is highly fragmented due to the diverse nature of the products, with many firms producing low quantities of specialised products. Downstream markets, like mining and manufacturing, strongly influence the industry's performance. Industry revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 3.3% over the five years through 2023-24 to $2.8 billion. This includes an expected 2.1% decline in the current year due to slow growth in downstream demand stemming from a sharp rise in interest rates.A strong performance in the industry's major market, mining, has contributed to revenue growth over the past five years. Rising capital expenditure by the private sector has supported manufacturers. Imports from manufacturers in nations like China have accounted for a high proportion of domestic demand. They are driving out local producers relying on low domestic production costs to remain profitable. Foreign manufacturing hubs typically have low labour costs and specialise in manufacturing high-quantity, standardised products. Despite rampant import competition, industry enterprise and establishments numbers have risen as domestic manufacturers dominate niche markets, creating bespoke, high-quality products.Industry revenue is forecast to fall at annualised 0.7% over the five years through 2028-29 to $2.7 billion. Mixed demand conditions in key downstream industries, like manufacturing, will likely limit revenue growth. Actual capital expenditure on mining is set to grow over the next five years, which is set to support industry growth. An anticipated appreciation of the Australian dollar over the next five years will likely reduce domestic product competitiveness, constraining export revenue. However, a continued shift towards high-value specialised manufacturing is likely to offset this decline and support an increase in profitability over the period. Import competition is slated to continue threatening industry players as developed countries continue to innovate and produce products on par with domestic manufacturers. This trend is anticipated to be an additional barrier for domestic manufacturers who have pivoted to creating high-value products.

Financial asset investors have benefited from a generally strong domestic sharemarket performance and robust profit margins over the past few years. Typically, industry funds are invested in equities, and industry revenue depends on various sharemarket performances. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing inflationary pressures significantly disrupted both local and global equity markets, which limited industry performance. Yet, total assets have continued to accumulate over recent years, compounding returns for investors, assisted by previously low interest rates. Overall, industry revenue is expected to climb at an annualised 6.2% over the five years through 2024-25, to $176.3 billion. The low-interest rate environment that characterised the trading landscape until recently affected fixed-income assets' performance, which changed the mix of funds held in various industry investment vehicles. More recently, market volatility and cash rate hikes have led to investors increasingly moving to cash management trusts because of their perceived safety as investment instruments. Related elevated interest rates and negative business confidence are set to hurt returns for many investors in 2024-25, particularly investment portfolios geared for higher risk. Despite these pressures, investor incomes are set to swell by 1.7% in the current year off the back of an anticipated strong domestic sharemarket performance, bumped by strong business profit. A falling MSCI world index and negative consumer sentiment have the potential to continue softening investment performance over the coming years. Yet, inflationary pressures and interest rates are set to gradually ease as trading conditions improve. Projected global financial stability and a sluggish appreciation of the Australian dollar may set the stage for a resurgence in overseas investment in Australian markets, yet continued changes implemented by the FIRB may limit the willingness of overseas investors to spend domestically. The influence of superannuation funds over the industry may continue to rise, drawing funds from retail investors, yet they themselves are a large market. For this reason, continued increases to the Superannuation Guarantee Scheme are likely to boost assets at the disposal of pension funds. Overall, financial asset investor incomes are projected to continue growing at an annualised 3.2% through 2029-30, to total $206.6 billion.

The Sleepwear, Underwear and Infant Clothing Manufacturing industry faces significant shifts influenced by domestic and international factors. Recent fashion and economic trends have revealed a substantial change in market dynamics. Imports have risen because of the increasing availability of low-cost products and the appreciation of the Australian dollar, which has made overseas goods more affordable. High imports have pressured local manufacturers to adjust their pricing strategies to stay competitive, resulting in decreased industry participation and reduced market share for domestic manufacturers. Department stores are experiencing diminished demand for sleepwear, underwear and infant apparel because consumers gravitate towards specialty and online retailers that offer a broader range of unique and personalised options. Overall, industry revenue is expected to shrink by an annualised 5.9% over the five years through 2024-25 to $212.7 million. This includes an anticipated 3.6% in 2024-25, as higher operating costs and competition from international brands constrain the ability of manufacturers to compete effectively. Manufacturers are poised for significant changes driven by evolving consumer preferences and market conditions in the coming years. A projected rise in real household disposable income will boost demand for premium and high-quality apparel, benefiting all product segments, including shapewear and sleepwear garments. Increased interest in fashion and diverse styles will drive growth in the clothing retail sector, supporting higher sales and profitability. As manufacturers continue to invest in digital platforms and ecommerce strategies, they will capitalise on the expanding online shopping trend, enhancing their direct-to-consumer sales channels. This shift will enable manufacturers to access broader markets with lower start-up costs and improve their competitive edge. Overall, industry revenue is forecast to expand at an annualised rate of 0.3%, totalling $215.6 million by 2029-30, with opportunities for growth through premium offerings and technological advancements in retail.

Dramatic changes in downstream demand have resulted in an equally turbulent time for the Conveyor and Crane Manufacturing industry. Growing demand for unit-handling conveyors and expansion in downstream building construction firms has driven revenue to expand by an annualised 0.5% through the end of 2023-24, reaching $2.7 billion.However, declining demand from mining and construction markets has contributed to revenue dropping by 9.8% in 2023-24. Profitability has also fallen substantially recently, with rising input costs and increasing depreciation expenses.Imported cranes and conveyors are occupying a growing share of domestic demand. These items come from foreign manufacturers operating in countries with much larger economies of scale and lower labour and energy costs, allowing them to manufacture and sell cranes and conveyors at a price below what Australian-based manufacturers can. To compete with imports, local producers must attempt to differentiate themselves. One such method is developing products catering to the Australian market and conditions. Companies prioritising expanding facilities close to critical mining industries have built relationships with major mining companies and offer these clients tailored crane and conveyor solutions.Conveyor and crane manufacturing revenue is forecast to total $2.6 billion in 2028-29, representing an annualised contraction of 0.7%. This lower revenue will likely stem from a reduction in demand from the Mining division over the next few years, along with a projected appreciation of the Australian dollar, which will incentivise more imports into the market. However, a forecast rally in demand from other markets, like transport and warehousing, construction and manufacturing, is set to mitigate these declines somewhat.