Australia’s goods imports surged 5.8% month-over-month to a new high of AUD 46.94 billion in August 2026, reversing a marginally revised 2.4% decline in the previous month. The solid upturn was driven primarily by stronger capital goods imports and a sharp rise in non-monetary gold purchases. Purchases of capital goods jumped 22.3% to AUD 13.21 billion, boosted by ADP equipment (79.3%), civil aircraft and confidentialised items (29.8%), telecommunication equipment (12.0%), and machinery and industrial equipment (2.4%). Imports of non-monetary gold also soared 91.1% to AUD 3.16 billion. In contrast, imports of intermediate and other merchandise goods fell 2.2% to AUD 17.81 billion, dragged down by lower purchases of fuels and lubricants (-5.0%) and processed industrial supplies n.e.s. (-3.7%). Consumption goods imports also declined 7.0% to AUD 12.76 billion, weighed down by non-industrial transport equipment (-21.2%) and consumption goods n.e.s. (-3.5%).