Biggest Industries by Revenue in Australia in 2023

1. State Government Administration in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $274.1B

The State Government Administration industry is made up of the eight state and territory governments across Australia. Under the Australian Constitution, state and territory governments are responsible for everything that is not a Federal Government responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, schools, hospitals, roads and railways. This report includes all actions that state and territory governments undertake. As a result, it double counts key information with other industries in Australia. For example, teachers employed in government schools in Australia are included as employees in both the State Government Administration industry and the Government Schools industry. State and territory... Learn More

2. Professional Services in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $263.2B

The Professional Services subdivision provides various professional, scientific and technical services to a range of markets. The subdivision's performance is largely linked to overall economic conditions, which often determine business confidence and capital expenditure. Over the past five years, greater business profit, rising capital expenditure by the public sector and mostly positive business confidence have supported subdivision demand. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted several industries in the Professional Services subdivision, weighing on its performance. In particular, demand for architectural services, and surveying and mapping services fell over the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, as many construction projects were delayed... Learn More

3. Consumer Goods Retailing in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $208.0B

The Consumer Goods Retailing subdivision has been subject to volatile retail conditions over the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic uncertainty and restricted trading for extended periods in several Australian states. However, the pandemic has also prevented many consumers from spending money on hospitality and travel, allowing greater income to be spent on consumer goods. As a result, subdivision revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 2.4% over the five years through 2022-23, to $220.4 billion. This result includes an expected 7.8% decline in the current year, as easing COVID-19 restrictions increase competition for consumer spending... Learn More

4. Finance in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $185.1B

The Finance sector's operating environment has characterised by record low interest rates and market turbulence over most of the past five years. A strong residential property market supported by housing price growth and high numbers of house transfers have supported the incomes of many lenders. Yet, volatile business confidence and inflationary pressures have limited growth in capital expenditure from the private sector and overall demand from commercial clients. Competition from neobanks and other fintech disruptors has spurred some larger financial firms to invest in new capabilities in the online space. Overall, sector revenue is expected to decline at an... Learn More

5. Health Services in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $171.8B

The Health Services subdivision includes a range of health services and facilities. General hospitals are the subdivision's largest revenue driver, accounting over half of Australia's health services revenue. General practitioners (GPs), clinical specialists and dentists also represent significant revenue streams for the subdivision. Australia's growing and ageing population has supported demand for health services over the past five years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited subdivision expansion, as health services have redirected resources to contain the virus. Consequently, subdivision revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 2.2% over the five years through 2022-23, to $197.8 billion. The industry's growth... Learn More

6. Superannuation Funds in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $167.3B

Australia's superannuation system underpins the nation's retirement income system. Three pillars make up the pension system: a means-tested age pension, compulsory super contributions and voluntary savings. From July 2022, the Superannuation Guarantee scheme requires employers to contribute an amount equal to 10.5% of an employee's income to the employee's choice of superannuation fund. This system has supported the Superannuation Funds industry over the past five years, which is expected to be one of the largest pension systems in the world.

Revenue is expected to fall at an annualised 10.6% over the five years through 2022-23, to $127.9 billion. This includes growth... Learn More

7. Iron Ore Mining in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $165.7B

Iron ore miners have benefited from major increases in iron ore prices, and modest growth in production volumes over the past five years. Iron ore revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 8.1% over the five years through 2022-23, to total an estimated $124.1 billion. Strong demand from China and disruptions to iron ore producers in Brazil prior to, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, sent iron ore prices soaring. Iron ore prices are projected to fall in 2022-23, prompting iron ore revenue to drop an estimated 16.2% over the year.

Over the past decade, strong economic growth in China has... Learn More

8. Coal Mining in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $156.9B

Coal is a key input in steelmaking and energy generation. Although coal deposits are found all over the world, Australia is one of the world's lowest cost producers and a major coal exporter. Domestic reserves exceed domestic demand, are high grade and economical to access. As a result, exports account for a large share of coal mining revenue. Imports are negligible, as local production is higher than domestic demand for coal. Black coal mining accounts for most activity, with some brown coal used domestically for electricity generation in Victoria.

Coal mining revenue is expected to grow at an annualised 14.6% over... Learn More

9. Supermarkets and Grocery Stores in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $124.9B

The Supermarkets and Grocery Stores industry is one of the most fiercely competitive industries in Australia. The continued expansion of Aldi and Costco has forced the two established industry giants, Woolworths and Coles, to remain price competitive. To differentiate themselves from low-cost supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths have increasingly focused on improving customers' shopping experience through store refurbishments and increased online shopping capabilities. These supermarket giants are increasingly relying on loyalty programs and promotions rather than discounts. Coles and Woolworths have also displayed a lot of interest in data analytics, have strengthened their relationships with analytics firms and taken a lot... Learn More

10. National and Regional Commercial Banks in Australia

Revenue for 2023: $121.3B

Banks are grappling with a transition from years of loose monetary policy to tighter financial conditions. Soaring inflation has prompted an RBA pivot, in the face of surging energy, housing and food prices. The RBA has aggressively hiked the cash rate since May 2022. Prior to this, banks cashed in on high residential housing prices, with low interest rates and government schemes encouraging strong mortgage uptake over the course of the pandemic. APRA also eased the interest rate buffer in 2019, before raising it in 2021. Although a subdued cash rate cut banks' interest incomes, it was more than offset... Learn More