This guide looks at a number of key economic indicators to provide an overview of what has been happening in Australia's manufacturing industry.

Introduction

As with many other Western countries, the relative importance of the manufacturing industry in Australia has been declining. Its contribution to total Australian output is less than half what it was four decades ago. This Quick Guide, which draws on the Manufacturing performance report, a monthly report produced by the Department of Industry, looks at a number of key economic indicators to provide an overview of what has been happening in the industry.