Australian Industry Index®

The Australian Industry Index® is representative of the modern industrial ecosystem. It brings together the manufacturing, construction, engineering, technology and business services sectors – industries which together account for 36% of the Australian economy.

Recognising the heritage and importance of the Australian PMI® and Australia PCI®, both will continue as sub-indicators available within the Australian Industry Index®, however, there will no longer be separate release dates for these indexes.

The Australian Industry Index® is published on the first working Wednesday of each month (or the following working day if the Wednesday is a national holiday): Australian Industry Index release dates 2026


May 2026: Energy uncertainty weighs on new orders

Key findings

  • The Australian Industry Index® continued to signal weakness in July, holding steady at -29.9 (seasonally adjusted).
  • Pricing indicators stabilised after three months of very high scores driven by energy prices. This reflects recent easing in global energy markets, but sees energy and industrial prices remain at a structurally elevated level.
  • The contraction in activity and new orders stabilised in the month, but the employment indicator fell again. This reflects the lag between the initial impact of the energy crisis and its effects on employment levels.
  • Manufacturing remained weak, with energy-crisis exposed upstream subsectors under the greatest pressure. Construction activity is also subdued due to both energy and consumer spending pressures.
  • Uncertainty – particularly over energy and industrial prices – remains the greatest risk from the crisis. With global energy prices rising again in late July, uncertainty risks are increasing and likely to weigh again in August.

Economic Intelligence newsletter

August 2026

In the August edition of Economic Intelligence we cover:

  • How retirement dynamics are shifting with Australia’s ageing workforce: This research note explores how older employees have become an increasingly important cohort in the labour market.
  • Tracking Australian industry: margin pressures linger despite moderate inflation; elevated fuel costs continue to pressure businesses; weak productivity fuels labour market pressures; lower job mobility constrains labour market efficiency; business insolvencies reflect weak economic conditions and ICT investment surges while other sectors lag.
  • Q&A with AustralianSuper: The Investment Team at AustralianSuper discusses what is driving investment markets, as well as the key trends and themes currently in focus.
  • Economic Forecasts: RBA forecasts suggest economic conditions will remain subdued, driven by slower growth, softer spending and investment, rising unemployment and inflation gradually returning to target by mid-2027.

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Detailed Index Data

Our reports and time series data for the Australian Industry Group Australian Industry Index® are available free of charge to members at any time via email from our economics research team economics@australianindustrygroup.com.au. Our data is available to non-members on an annual subscription basis or a one-off purchase. Our data subscribers receive the report and time series data for the activity index, sector and selected states via email each month.

Email us to find out more about purchasing data

Need help?

The Workplace Advice Line is Australian Industry Group’s national telephone advisory service for members’ on-the-spot workplace-related questions. 

You can also use Adviser Messaging when logged into our website. Click Message Us (at the bottom of each page) for simple queries, with support from our workplace advisers. 

Call the Workplace Advice Line
1300 55 66 77 and press option 1
(Overseas: +61 3 9867 0100).
Email: Send an Email

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Australian Industry Group is the peak membership body for Australian industry, linking you to the insights, services and expertise you need to be successful. As a member of Australian Industry Group, you are part of a powerful, credible and experienced industry community.