Electricity, gas, water and waste services recorded the largest percentage fall in business turnover in January, according to monthly figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Robert Ewing, ABS head of business indicators, said: "Cooler than usual weather and falling wholesale energy prices, due to lower coal and gas prices, contributed to a 10.1 per cent decrease in turnover for the industry.
"Despite this most recent fall, the sector's turnover remains 9.1 per cent higher than the same time last year," Mr Ewing said.
Information media and telecommunications recorded the next largest monthly fall in turnover (-1.9 per cent), followed by Accommodation and food services (-1.7 per cent).
Turnover for the Transport, postal and warehousing industry fell by 1.4 per cent, due to weaker turnover for businesses providing logistics, freight and shipping services. This was partially offset by continued strength in air travel services turnover.
Businesses classified to the "Other services" industry rose 4.5 per cent, regaining most of December's 5.7 per cent fall. Mining increased by 3.3 per cent driven by iron ore and lithium miners.
All 13 selected industries recorded year-on-year increases, led by Accommodation and food services (+27.2 per cent), Mining (+26.3 per cent) and Administration and support services (+22.8 per cent).
| December 2022 to January 2023 (%) | January 2022 to January 2023 (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Other services | 4.5 | 19.2 |
| Mining | 3.3 | 26.3 |
| Retail trade | 1.8 | 11.5 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1.0 | 10.8 |
| Manufacturing | 0.6 | 19.9 |
| Administrative and support services | 0.5 | 22.8 |
| Wholesale trade | -0.7 | 6.0 |
| Arts and recreation services | -1.1 | 22.3 |
| Construction | -1.4 | 15.2 |
| Transport, postal and warehousing | -1.4 | 22.1 |
| Accommodation and food services | -1.7 | 27.2 |
| Information media and telecommunications | -1.9 | 9.8 |
| Electricity, gas, water and waste services | -10.1 | 9.1 |
