International Trade: Supplementary Information, Calendar Year

Due to a large decrease in Travel, states with significant exports of Travel services experienced related year on year decreases to their total export value.

The largest decreases in total services exports were Victoria, down $4,263m (22%), and New South Wales, down $3,872m (12%).

New South Wales accounted for 49% of all services exports in 2021 (up from 46% in 2020), followed by Victoria which accounted for 26% (down from 28% in 2020).

China continued to be Australia's largest country of export and accounted for 15% of services exports (down from 17% in 2020).

The top five countries of export for services were China, United States of America, Asia, nes, India and United Kingdom. Together these countries accounted for 51% of the total exports value.

As with exports, states with significant imports of Travel services experienced related year on year decreases to their total import value.

The largest decreases in total services imports were Queensland, down $1,128m (17%), and Western Australia, down $1,076m (20%).

New South Wales was the only state to show a year on year increase to their total import value, up $685m (2%). This was driven by increases in Transport freight and Other business services.

New South Wales accounted for 53% of all services imports in 2021 (up from 49% in 2020), followed by Victoria which remained steady accounting for 22%.

United States of America continued to be Australia's largest country of import and accounted for 17% of services imports (down from 19% in 2020).

The top five countries of import for services were United States of America, United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany and Hong Kong. Together these countries accounted for 49% of the total imports value.

Due to Other personal travel being at historically low levels, Travel service exports were predominantly driven by and comprised of Education-related travel. 

The largest decreases in Travel service exports were New South Wales, down $5,151m (38%), and Victoria, down $4,868m (41%).

New South Wales accounted for 37% of all Travel service exports in 2021 (up from 36% in 2020), followed by Victoria which accounted for 31% (down from 32% in 2020), with the two states hosting the largest numbers of international students.

China continued to be Australia's largest country of export for Travel services and accounted for 20% of Travel exports (down from 23% in 2020).

Despite New South Wales value of Other personal travel exports decreasing 89% in 2021, it’s proportion of total Other personal travel exports increased from 34% in 2020 to 44% in 2021. In contrast, Victoria’s proportion of Other personal travel exports decreased from  25% to 21% and Western Australia decreased from 12% to 6%.

The changes in proportions of Other personal travel exports in 2021 were a result of:

• the trans-Tasman travel bubble with New Zealand
• state specific COVID-19 outbreaks and subsequent lockdowns
• borders opening to specific visa holders and citizens on 1 November 2021.

New Zealand was Australia's largest country of export for Other personal travel services and accounted for 28% of Other personal travel exports (up from 9% in 2020). The increase in the proportion of Other personal travel service exports to New Zealand was due to the trans-Tasman travel bubble.

While the international student population in Australia declined further in 2021, the number studying outside of the country continued to increase (captured as a service in Other personal, cultural and recreational services).

The largest increases in Personal, cultural and recreational service exports were Victoria up $818m (40%), and New South Wales, up $490m (25%).

Victoria accounted for 43% of all Personal, cultural and recreational service exports in 2021 (up from 41% in 2020), followed by New South Wales which accounted for 36% (down from 38% in 2020).

China continued to be Australia's largest country of export for Personal, cultural and recreational services and accounted for 50% of Personal, cultural and recreational exports (up from 49% in 2020).

The largest decreases in Travel service imports were New South Wales, down $2,548m (76%), and Victoria, down $2,377m (92%).

Despite a decrease in New South Wales’ Travel service imports, its proportion of total Travel service imports increased from 34% in 2020 to 63% in 2021. In contrast, Victoria’s proportion of Travel imports decreased from 26% to 16% and Western Australia’s decreased from 13% to 5%.

New Zealand was the largest country of import for Travel services and accounted for 36% of Travel imports (up from 11% in 2020). The increase in the proportion of Travel service imports from New Zealand was due to the trans-Tasman travel bubble.

Due to Transport passenger being at historically low levels, Transport services were predominantly driven by and comprised of Transport freight. 

The largest increases in Transport services were Victoria, up $1,805m (46%), and New South Wales, up $1,697m (33%).

New South Wales accounted for 37% of all Transport service imports in 2021 (down from 38% in 2020), followed by Victoria which accounted for 31% (up from 30% in 2020).

Germany was the largest country of import for Transport services, increasing $1,055m (72%) and accounted for 14% of Transport imports (up from 11% in 2020).

Supply chain disruptions resulted in unprecedented shipping costs in 2021. The limited number of passenger flights, coupled with increased global demand for physical goods led to record high Transport freight values.

New South Wales accounted for 36% of all Transport freight service imports in 2021 (down from 38% in 2020), followed by Victoria which accounted for 32% (up from 30% in 2020).

The United Kingdom withdrew from the EU on 31 January 2020. However, there was a transition period until the end of the 2020 calendar year where all trade agreements and other membership benefits were maintained. The EU figures in the data downloads prior to 2021 represent EU 28 (including United Kingdom), while the 2021 figure represents EU 27 (excluding United Kingdom).

Costa Rica became a member of OECD on 25 May 2021. The OECD figures in the data downloads prior to 2021 represent OECD 37 (excluding Costa Rica), while the 2021 figure represents OECD 38 (including Costa Rica).

This publication includes historical revisions which are also included in the Australian System of National Accounts, 2020-21, released in October 2021, and the September 2021 issue of Balance of Payments and International Investment Position released in November 2021.

25/08/2022 - Titles of Tables 3 to 9 have been updated with the correct reference period (calendar year).

The ABS would like to thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) who have provided funding and support for this publication.

This release previously used catalogue number 5368.0.55.004.