• Summary
• Downloads
• Explanatory Notes
• Related Information
• Past Releases

DECEMBER KEY FIGURES

		October 2008	November 2008	December 2008	Nov 08 to Dec 08
		$m	$m	$m	% change
BALANCE ON GOODS AND SERVICES
	Trend estimates	1 506	1 711	1 820	6
	Seasonally adjusted	2 582	979	589	-40
CREDITS (Exports of goods & services)
	Trend estimates	26 310	26 694	26 910	1
	Seasonally adjusted	27 659	26 492	25 681	-3
DEBITS (Imports of goods & services)
	Trend estimates	24 804	24 984	25 091	-
	Seasonally adjusted	25 077	25 513	25 092	-2
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)

Balance on Goods and Services

• The trend estimate of the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $1,820m in December 2008, an increase of $109m on a revised surplus in November 2008.
• In seasonally adjusted terms, the balance on goods and services was a surplus of $589m in December 2008, a decrease of $390m on a revised surplus in November 2008.
• The decrease in the seasonally adjusted surplus was primarily due to the strong fall in non-rural goods credits.

• Seasonally adjusted, goods and services credits fell $811m (3%) to $25,681m. Non-rural goods fell $1,004m (6%), other goods fell $31m (2%) and rural goods rose $174m (7%). Services credits rose $50m (1%).
• The fall in non-rural goods was largely driven by the coal, coke and briquettes component, which fell $679m (11%).

• Seasonally adjusted, goods and services debits fell $421m (2%) to $25,092m. Other goods fell $766m (41%) and intermediate and other merchandise goods fell $623m (7%) while capital goods rose $861m (20%) and consumption goods rose $85m (2%). Services debits rose $22m.
• The fall in other goods was driven by the non-monetary gold component, which fell $668m (45%).

• decreased the November 2008 surplus by $609m.
• increased the deficit on goods and services for 2007-08 by $193m, with:
  • goods and services credits decreasing by $15m.
  • goods and services debits increasing by $178m.