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


March 2026: Initial impacts of energy crisis hit industry

Key findings

  • The Australian Industry Index® fell by 19.9 points to -23.6 in March, the steepest recorded monthly fall in the series.
  • Initial impacts from the energy crisis are now being reported by industry, with sharp falls across the activity, employment, input price and new orders indicators.
  • Manufacturers reported initial impacts from fuel and freight pricing pressures, with food especially affected.
  • Construction reported a sharp decline in new orders due to increased uncertainty, alongside anticipated cost pressures as fuel and materials prices begin to rise.
  • These issues are expected to spread to industrial materials in coming months as fuel disruptions move through supply chains.

Economic Intelligence newsletter

March 2025

In the March edition of Economic Intelligence we cover:

  • Ensuring the sustainability of Australia’s care industry: Our research note explores how declining productivity sits at the core of Australia’s care‑industry challenges, intensifying financial, investment and funding pressures and underscoring the need to restore productivity growth for long‑term sustainability.
  • Tracking Australian industry: GDP was lifted by restocking and government spending; investment growth was supported by datacentres; wage gains continuing to lag behind inflation; economy remains dependant on non-market sectors; tightening profit margins putting pressure on investment and employment and household spending boosted mainly by services
  • Economic Forecasts: The IMF forecasts Australia’s economy to grow only modestly in 2026 and 2027, with inflation likely to remain stubbornly high.

Detailed Index Data

Our reports and time series data for the Ai 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

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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.