Economic Activities in Australia: Sector Breakdown

Key Economic Insights: The economy of Australia generates an estimated GDP of $1.80 trillion ($65,130 per capita) supporting a population of 27.2 million. Productive output is anchored by 67.5% services, 23.9% industry and manufacturing, and 2.3% agriculture and natural resource extraction. Key merchandise exports include coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, and wheat.

Australia, with a population of approximately 27.2 million (ABS, December 2025), is ranked 54th in the world by population size. Located in Oceania, it covers a total area of 7,741,220 square kilometers, ranking 6th globally.

In 2024 Australia had a GDP of approximately $1.752 trillion USD (World Bank, 2024), ranking 12th globally. The GDP per capita in Australia is approximately $65,130 USD (World Bank, 2025). Australia’s economy is diverse, with strong sectors in mining, agriculture, and services, contributing to its stable economic growth and high standard of living for its citizens.

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Australia Economic Structure & Sector Analysis

Economic Dimension	Figure	Authoritative Source
GDP & Macro Output	Nominal GDP: $1.80 trillion \| Per Capita: $65,130	World Bank WDI / IMF
Sector Breakdown	Services: 67.5% \| Industry: 23.9% \| Agriculture: 2.3%	World Bank National Accounts
Trade & Commodities	Top Exports: coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, and wheat	UN Comtrade / OEC
Demographics & Labor	Population: 27.2 million	ILO / UN Population Division

Primary activities (agriculture, forestry, fishing): approximately 2.3% of GDP (World Bank, 2025).
Secondary activities (industry, including construction): approximately 23.9% of GDP (World Bank, 2025).
Tertiary activities (services): approximately 67.5% of GDP (World Bank, 2025).

Australia economy by sector

Share of GDP, 2025, compared with the world average

Services make up the largest part of the economy, at 67.5% of GDP in 2025. Agriculture’s share is below the world average of 4.1%, and industry’s share is close to the world’s 25.4%. Data: World Bank, World Development Indicators (value added by sector, % of GDP). The three shares do not add up to exactly 100% because GDP also includes taxes on products minus subsidies.

Primary Sector of Australia

With 47.26% of the land dedicated to agriculture, the country produces a variety of crops and animal products. The main agricultural products include wheat, sugarcane, barley, milk, rapeseed, cotton, sorghum, beef, oats, and chicken.

Agriculture contributes approximately 2.3% to the GDP (World Bank, 2025), but it provides employment and sustains rural communities. The sector’s significance lies in the production of a wide range of high-quality products, ensuring food security and export opportunities.

Australia’s diverse geology provides a rich array of natural resources, driving its primary sector. With vast reserves of coal, iron ore, uranium, opals, and more, the country dominates global markets. Notably, it leads in coal exports, opal supply, uranium reserves, and LNG exports, shaping its strong economy.Australia’s oil production of around 334,448 barrels per day ranks it 20th globally. With reserves of 1,193,000,000 barrels, it holds 0.15% of the world’s oil reserves.Australia’s gas production industry produced 147,200 million m³ in 2020, making it the 7th largest producer in the world.

Secondary Sector of Australia

In Australia, the main industrial products include industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, and steel. These goods are manufactured for domestic consumption and export, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.In 2023, Australia’s manufacturing sector contributed only 8.33% to the country’s total exports, indicating its relatively minor role in the economy compared to other sectors.

Tertiary sector of Australia

Sydney harbour and CBD illustrating Australia's tertiary service sector

The tertiary sector in Australia encompasses a wide range of services where individuals provide expertise and time to enhance productivity and meet various needs. This sector involves intangible goods such as advice, attention, and expertise, catering to both consumer and business demands. Key tertiary activities in Australia include healthcare and medical care, education and training, banking and finance, tourism and hospitality, transportation and logistics, and communication and information exchange.In particular, Australia’s tourism industry is a major contributor to its economy, with annual international visitor arrivals reaching approximately 7.63 million in 2024 (ABS, 2024), representing ongoing recovery toward the pre-pandemic peak of 8.71 million in 2019. Sydney’s Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef are among the most popular attractions, drawing visitors from around the globe to experience Australia’s natural wonders and cultural heritage.Another example of tertiary economic activity is the mobile cellular economic sector, with over 28 million subscriptions, supporting technological growth by enhancing connectivity, encouraging innovation, and enabling digital services.

Military Activities and Economic Sectors of Australia

It involves the primary sector through resource extraction for military use. The secondary sector includes the manufacturing of military equipment. The tertiary sector provides services, while the quaternary sector focuses on military research and development. Lastly, the quinary sector deals with high-level decision-making and strategy in the military.

In 2024, Australia’s military expenditure was approximately $33,820 million USD, which is approximately 1.9% of the country’s GDP (SIPRI, 2024). The active military force consists of 58,600 personnel.

Biggest company in Australia

Which is the biggest company in Australia? The biggest company by revenue is BHP Group, with annual revenue of approximately $51.3 billion USD (FY2025) and a market capitalization of approximately $231.8 billion USD (June 2026). BHP operates in the materials industry, focusing on mining and resources, and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. BHP was founded in 1885 and is a leading firm in the primary economic sector.

International Trade of Australia

Import Activities of Australia

Australia’s import activities are of high importance, with total goods imports in 2024 reaching approximately $370 billion USD (ABS, 2024), accounting for approximately 21.1% of the country’s GDP.Australia’s import activities are diverse, with major partners like China, US, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. Key import commodities include refined petroleum, cars, garments, trucks, and plastic products.

Exports Activities of Australia

Australia’s total goods exports in 2024 were approximately $377 billion USD, accounting for approximately 21.5% of its GDP (ABS, 2024). This indicates a significant contribution to the country’s economy, with Australia maintaining a goods trade surplus.Australia’s export activities are significant, with China being the largest partner at 29%, followed by Japan at 19% and South Korea at 10%. Key export commodities include coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, and wheat.

Australia economy challenges in 2025

Australia’s economy is shifting towards green energy. Despite a strong economy, it grapples with balancing mining and sustainability goals. The “Future Made in Australia” program aims to drive investments in renewable energy, but the transition poses hurdles in maintaining trade partnerships and economic stability.

Sources

Last updated: October 2026

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Economic Activities in Australia: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary