Australia’s business inventories rose 0.5% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026, rebounding from two consecutive quarterly declines of 0.1% in Q4 and 0.8% in Q3. It marked a return to modest expansion in overall stock levels, suggesting a gradual rebuilding of inventories after a soft end to 2025. By sector, gains were driven by mining (5.8% vs 0.0% in Q4) and electricity, gas, water and waste services (6.1% vs 4.5%). Wholesale trade also returned to growth (1.0% vs -0.1%), while accommodation and food services swung back into expansion (4.3% vs -2.6%). In contrast, manufacturing (-1.3% vs -0.1%) and retail trade contracted further (-1.7% vs -0.5%). On an annual basis, business inventories fell 0.3%. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Business Inventories in Australia increased 0.50 percent in March of 2026 over the previous month. Business Inventories in Australia averaged 0.48 percent from 1985 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 3.60 percent in the third quarter of 2022 and a record low of -2.80 percent in the third quarter of 1986. This page provides - Australia Business Inventories- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Australia Business Inventories - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Business Inventories in Australia increased 0.50 percent in March of 2026 over the previous month. Business Inventories in Australia is expected to be -0.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Business Inventories is projected to trend around 0.30 percent in 2027 and 0.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-02 12:30 AM
Business Inventories QoQ
Q4 -0.1% -0.8% 0.0%
2026-06-02 01:30 AM
Business Inventories QoQ
Q1 0.5% -0.1% -0.2%
2026-08-31 01:30 AM
Business Inventories QoQ
Q2 0.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Building Capital Expenditure -3.80 2.50 percent Mar 2026
Business Inventories 0.50 -0.10 percent Mar 2026
Changes in Inventories 675.00 897.00 AUD Million Mar 2026
Company Gross Profits 132650.00 134455.00 AUD Million Mar 2026
Industrial Production 2.50 2.80 percent Mar 2026
Industrial Production Mom -0.60 1.70 percent Mar 2026
Manufacturing Production 3.20 1.10 percent Mar 2026
Mining Production 3.10 4.00 percent Mar 2026
Plant Machinery Capital Expenditure 18.10 -1.30 percent Mar 2026
Private Capital Expenditure 6.50 0.70 percent Mar 2026


Australia Business Inventories
Business Inventories in Australia measure the quarterly percentage changes in inventories from manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers. Inventories are a key component of gross domestic product. .
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
0.50 -0.10 3.60 -2.80 1985 - 2026 percent Quarterly
SA

News Stream
Australia Business Inventories Rebound in Q1
Australia’s business inventories rose 0.5% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026, rebounding from two consecutive quarterly declines of 0.1% in Q4 and 0.8% in Q3. It marked a return to modest expansion in overall stock levels, suggesting a gradual rebuilding of inventories after a soft end to 2025. By sector, gains were driven by mining (5.8% vs 0.0% in Q4) and electricity, gas, water and waste services (6.1% vs 4.5%). Wholesale trade also returned to growth (1.0% vs -0.1%), while accommodation and food services swung back into expansion (4.3% vs -2.6%). In contrast, manufacturing (-1.3% vs -0.1%) and retail trade contracted further (-1.7% vs -0.5%). On an annual basis, business inventories fell 0.3%.
2026-06-02
Australia Q4 Business Inventories Fall Much Softer
Australia’s business inventories edged down 0.1% qoq in Q4 2025, easing from a marginally revised 0.8% drop in the previous period. It marked a second consecutive quarterly decline, though the pace of contraction slowed notably, suggesting firms may be adjusting stock levels more cautiously amid softer demand and elevated financing costs. By sector, inventories fell for manufacturers (-0.4% vs 0.5% in Q3), retailers (-0.4% vs -1.9%), wholesalers (-0.1% vs 0.2%), and the accommodation and food services sector (-3.0% vs -1.3%). In contrast, stocks rebounded at miners (0.7% vs -4.7%) and rose further at electricity providers (3.7% vs 2.3%), partly reflecting project-related activity and energy demand. On an annual basis, business inventories were flat, following a 0.2% increase in Q3.
2026-03-02
Australia Q3 Business Inventories Fall for First Time in a Year
Australia’s business inventories fell 0.9% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2025, reversing a 0.1% rise in the previous period and marking the first decline since Q3 2024. Stocks dropped notably at miners (-4.8% vs 4.2% in Q2), retailers (-1.6% vs -0.8%), and the accommodation and food services sector (-1.3% vs 0.5%). Meanwhile, inventory growth at electricity providers moderated sharply (1.6% vs 7.3%). Wholesaler stocks were flat after a 1.3% decline in Q2, and manufacturers saw a modest acceleration (0.4% vs 0.2%). On an annual basis, business inventories rose just 0.2%, the slowest increase in six quarters and down from 0.7% in Q2.
2025-12-01