Australian National Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product

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Quarterly estimates of key economic flows in Australia, including gross domestic product (GDP), consumption, investment, income and saving

Reference period
December 2020
Released
3/03/2021

Key statistics

  • The Australian economy rose 3.1% in seasonally adjusted chain volume measures
  • Through the year GDP fell 1.1%
  • The terms of trade rose 4.7%
  • Household saving ratio decreased to 12.0% from 18.7%

Economic overview

Unless otherwise stated all figures are in seasonally adjusted, chain volume measures.

The reference year for chain volume measures is 2018-19.

For more information about the changes in this issue, please see revisions and changes on this page.

December key figures, percentage changes (a)

 Sep 19 to Dec 19Dec 19 to Mar 20Mar 20 to Jun 20Jun 20 to Sep 20Sep 20 to Dec 20Dec 19 to Dec 20
Chain volume GDP and related measures (b)
 GDP0.4-0.3-7.03.43.1-1.1
 GDP per capita (c)0.1-0.6-7.23.33.0-1.8
 Gross value added market sector (d)0.2-0.6-7.93.23.4-2.3
 Real net national disposable income-0.5-0.2-7.35.24.92.1
Productivity
 GDP per hour worked0.20.63.4-1.4-2.5
 Real unit labour costs1.2-0.6-8.9-0.96.9-4.1
Prices
 GDP chain price index (original)-1.21.0-0.3-0.11.72.4
 Terms of trade-4.50.40.81.34.77.4
Current price measures
 GDP-0.20.3-7.54.04.20.6
 Household saving ratio5.37.922.018.712.0na

na not available
a. Change on preceding quarter, except for the last column which shows the change between the current quarter and the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Excludes Household saving ratio.
b. Reference year for chain volume measures and real income measures is 2018-19.
c. Population estimates are as published in the National, state and territory population (cat. no. 3101.0) and ABS projections.
d. ANZSIC divisions A to N, R and S. See Glossary - Market sector.
 

Australian economy rose 3.1% in December quarter

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose 3.1% this quarter as COVID-19 related restrictions continued to ease. This follows a 3.4% rise in the September quarter 2020. The continuation in the recovery is reflected in through the year results, which improved from -3.7% to -1.1% in the December quarter.

Strong growth in the terms of trade

The terms of trade rose 4.7% this quarter off the back of higher export prices, particularly for iron ore. The strength in the terms of trade contributed to a 4.2% increase in nominal GDP, the strongest rise since September quarter 1983.

Private demand continues to recover

Domestic final demand contributed 3.2 percentage points to GDP growth. Household final consumption expenditure contributed 2.3 percentage points as constraints on households and businesses continued to lift. Private investment contributed a further 0.7 percentage points to growth.

Household spending rises

Spending by households rose 4.3% this quarter, but remained 2.7% down through the year. 

Spending on goods rose 2.8% for the quarter and is up 6.2% through the year. Purchase of vehicles rose a record 31.8%, reflecting elevated household disposable income and shifting spending patterns with continued limitations on some expenditure items such as international travel. 

Spending on services rose 5.2%. This reflects a partial recovery with spending down 7.8% through the year. Recreation and culture, hotels, cafes and restaurants and health all continued to rebound as movement and trading restrictions eased.

Victoria records the strongest increase in household spending

Household spending by Victorians increased 10.4% as strict lockdown restrictions were lifted. The level of spending remains weak at 7.2% below its pre-COVID level.

Household spending for the rest of Australia, excluding Victoria, rose 2.3% in the quarter. 

Household saving ratio remains at a high level

The household saving to income ratio declined to 12.0% from 18.7% last quarter, remaining at elevated levels. Falls in gross disposable income and increases in household consumption both contributed to the decline in saving. 

Gross disposable income fell 3.1% in the quarter, but remained strong through the year (up 4.8%). The quarterly fall reflected a decline in government support payments.

Private investment records strongest rise since September quarter 2017

Private investment rose 3.9% for the quarter. Both housing and business investment increased, supported by government initiatives and improvements in conditions.

Ownership transfer costs (15.2%) and dwelling investment (4.1%) both contributed to the increase in housing activity. The rise in business investment was driven by a 8.9% increase in machinery and equipment.

Bumper harvest leads to a record rise in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing gross value added (GVA)

GVA rose 2.7% this quarter, with rises in 17 out of the 19 industries. Favourable weather conditions contributed to a large grain harvest, which is reflected in a 26.8% increase in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing GVA. The impacts of this flowed through the supply chain, including in Wholesale Trade (up 3.6%) and Transport, Postal and Warehousing (up 6.1%). The increase in agricultural production was also reflected in a 23.5% increase in rural exports.

Accommodation and Food Services, Administrative and Support Services and Arts and Recreation Services, industries that were heavily impacted by the pandemic, continued to rebound this quarter as restrictions eased. Despite this, the activity in all three industries remains well below pre-pandemic levels.

Compensation of employees (COE) rises with underlying activity

COE rose 1.5% this quarter as employment and hours worked increased. Private sector COE continues to recover after being strongly impacted during the onset of the pandemic, rising 1.4% for the quarter. Public sector COE grew 1.8% for the quarter to be 6.7% higher through the year.

a. Contributions may not be additive due to rounding.

Operating surplus declines following reductions in government support for business

Gross operating surplus plus gross mixed income (GOSMI) fell 5.7%, driven by non-mining industries as support payments from government declined.

Mining operating surplus partly offset the fall, rising 8.3%. The strong growth this quarter reflects rising iron ore prices and increased demand for Australia's LNG.

Expenditure

 % Change% Change% points contribution
to growth in GDP
Sep 20 to
Dec 20
Dec 19 to
Dec 20
Sep 20 to Dec 20
Final consumption expenditure   
 General government0.87.40.2
 Households4.3-2.72.3
 Total final consumption expenditure3.2-0.12.4
Gross fixed capital formation   
 Private   
  Dwellings4.10.60.2
  Ownership transfer costs15.215.30.2
  Non-dwelling construction-1.9-6.2-0.1
  Machinery and equipment8.9-4.30.3
  Cultivated biological resources-20.7-
  Intellectual property products1.4-5.4-
 Public2.51.80.1
 Total gross fixed capital formation3.6-0.90.8
Changes in inventoriesnana-0.1
Gross national expenditure3.2-0.33.1
Exports of goods and services3.8-11.70.8
Imports of goods and services4.9-9.6-0.9
Statistical discrepancy (E)nana0.1
Gross domestic product3.1-1.13.1

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
na not available

Final consumption expenditure (FCE) 3.2%

Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) 3.6%

Changes in inventories

Exports and imports of goods and services

Income

Income estimates are in seasonally adjusted current prices

 % Change% Change% points contribution
to growth in GDP
Sep 20 to
Dec 20
Dec 19 to
Dec 20
Sep 20 to Dec 20
Compensation of employees1.52.00.7
Gross operating surplus   
 Private non-financial corporations-7.511.7-1.9
 Other(a)1.32.90.2
Gross mixed income-12.713.6-1.3
Taxes less subsidies on production and imports727.5-44.26.6
Statistical discrepancy (I)nana-0.1
Gross domestic product4.20.64.2

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
na not available
a. Includes Public non-financial corporations, Financial corporations, General government and Dwellings owned by persons.

 

Compensation of employees (COE) 1.5%

Gross operating surplus (GOS) -4.0%

Taxes less subsidies on production and imports 727.5%

Production

 % Change% Change% points contribution to growth in GDP
Sep 20 to Dec 20Dec 19 to Dec 20Sep 20 to Dec 20
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing26.820.00.5
Mining-1.0-3.6-0.1
Manufacturing1.2-2.00.1
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services-0.9-2.8-
Construction0.3-5.2-
Wholesale Trade3.64.30.1
Retail Trade3.76.30.2
Accommodation and Food Services7.9-13.20.2
Transport, Postal and Warehousing6.1-16.80.2
Information Media and Telecommunications5.22.10.1
Financial and Insurance Services0.42.9-
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services7.4-3.80.2
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services4.71.90.3
Administrative and Support Services9.4-14.00.3
Public Administration and Safety0.85.5-
Education and Training0.20.8-
Health Care and Social Assistance2.22.40.2
Arts and Recreation Services8.4-8.20.1
Other Services9.9-7.20.2
Ownership of dwellings0.41.7-
Taxes less subsidies on products8.6-1.20.5
Statistical discrepancy (P)nana-
Gross domestic product3.1-1.13.1

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
na not available

 

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 26.8%

Mining -1.0%

Manufacturing 1.2%

Wholesale Trade 3.6%

Accommodation and Food Services 7.9%

Transport, Postal and Warehousing 6.1%

Information Media and Telecommunications 5.2%

Financial and Insurance Services 0.4%

Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 7.4%

Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 4.7%

Administrative and Support Services 9.4%

Health Care and Social Assistance 2.2%

Arts and Recreation Services 8.4%

Other Services 9.9%

State and territory final demand

 Percentage change from Sep 20 to Dec 20
NSWVic.QldSAWATas.NTACTAust.(a)
Final consumption expenditure         
 General government1.50.8-1.20.14.42.1-0.3-1.40.8
 Households3.110.42.30.90.32.45.24.24.3
Gross fixed capital formation         
 Private4.25.14.9-1.51.58.414.14.83.9
 Public2.21.54.16.11.35.7-0.70.82.5
State final demand2.96.82.00.61.53.34.11.33.3

- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
a. Australia estimates relate to Domestic final demand.

 

Quarterly volume measures, seasonally adjusted

The image is a map of Australia by state/territory showing quarterly volume measures.
The image is a map of Australia by state/territory showing quarterly volume measures; New South Wales' state final demand increased 2.9% for the quarter. Victoria's state final demand increased 6.8% for the quarter. Queensland's state final demand increased 2.0% for the quarter. South Australia's state final demand increased 0.6% for the quarter. Western Australia's state final demand increased 1.5% for the quarter. Tasmania's state final demand increased 3.3% for the quarter. Northern Territory's state final demand increased 4.1% for the quarter. Australian Capital Territory's state final demand increased 1.3% for the quarter.

New South Wales 2.9%

Victoria 6.8%

Queensland 2.0%

South Australia 0.6%

Western Australia 1.5%

Tasmania 3.3%

Northern Territory 4.1%

Australian Capital Territory 1.3%

Key tables

Key national accounts aggregates

Analytical expenditure aggregates

Expenditure aggregates

Expenditure on GDP

Household final consumption expenditure

Industry gross value added

Income from GDP

State final demand

Related releases

Australian System of National Accounts (cat. no. 5204.0)

The 2019-20 issue of the Australian System of National Accounts was released on 30 October 2020. This publication provides detailed, annual estimates of Australia's national accounts. These include expenditure, income and production estimates of gross domestic product (GDP), productivity estimates, sectorial accounts (for households, financial and non-financial corporations, general government and the rest of the world), and additional aggregates dissected by industry.

Australian National Accounts: Supply Use Tables (cat. no. 5217.0)

The 2018-19 issue of Australian National Accounts: Supply Use Tables was released on 30 October 2020. The Supply Use tables were introduced in the annual National Accounts in 1998 as an integral part of the annual compilation of the Australian System of National Accounts. They are used to ensure Gross Domestic Product is balanced for all three approaches (production, expenditure and income) and provide the annual benchmarks from which the quarterly estimates are compiled.

Read more

Revisions and changes

Revisions in this issue

There are revisions in this issue due to the incorporation of more up-to-date data and concurrent seasonal adjustment. 

Suspension of trend estimates

Due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy, trend estimates for all series in the National Accounts have been suspended from June 2019 (inclusive). In the short term, this measurement will be significantly affected by changes to regular patterns in economic activity. If trend estimates were to be calculated without fully accounting for this unusual event, they would likely provide a misleading view of the underlying trend in the economy. 

Changes in the seasonal adjustment process

Series with significant and prolonged impacts from COVID-19 will use forward seasonal factors to produce seasonally adjusted estimates instead of the standard concurrent seasonal factors method. The forward factors approach is better suited to managing large movements at the end of a series and will ensure that large movements do not have a disproportionate influence on the seasonal factors.

Data downloads

Time series spreadsheets

Data files

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 5206.0.
 

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