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The twenty imports Australia is best placed to replace.

Australia imported USD 225bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 34bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well, with how concentrated the supply of each is.

USD 20bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
555products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
384products Australia already exports well
14,243public purchases of goods joined to a product family, from AusTender contract notices, Australian Government Department of Finance
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Australia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Australia would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition carries public buyers from AusTender contract notices, Australian Government Department of Finance, 54,905 award notices from 2025-11-02 to 2026-11-01, joined to each product's customs heading through a crosswalk we authored. The buyers are shown as context and do not change the score, because award values in these records include framework ceilings and outliers that would distort it. The regional layer (where the capability sits) is built only where a country publishes regional trade by product, and Australia does not publish it in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: ammonium dihydrogenorthophosphate (monoammonium phosphate) and mixtures thereof with...HS 310540

    Comes fromMorocco 61%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate... (exports USD 227m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 22m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 184m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 1.3bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Morocco supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 1.3bnup 28% on 2022
  2. 2

    Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410

    Comes fromUnited States 62%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 37m; 8 more lines in the heading, USD 9.0bn
    Public buyers in the family548 awards from 16 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); United States supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 1.2bnup 15% on 2022
  3. 3

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to...HS 380893

    Comes fromChina 69%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: containing vitamins or their derivatives, for... (exports USD 82m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 36m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 435m
    Public buyers in the family46 awards from 5 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 879m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 879mdown 18% on 2022
  4. 4

    Tractors: n.e.c. in heading no 8701 (other than tractors of heading no 8709): of an engine power exceeding 130kWHS 870195

    Comes fromUnited States 70%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 1.1bn
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 560m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 560mup 26% on 2022
  5. 5

    Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellersHS 841191

    Comes fromUnited States 74%, 43 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 71m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 922m
    Public buyers in the family483 awards from 9 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 459m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 459mup 50% on 2022
  6. 6

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Comes fromNew Zealand 43%, 83 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 964m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 61m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 336m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); New Zealand supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 336mup 16% on 2022
  7. 7

    Vehicles: break-down lorries, road-sweepers, spraying lorries, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units, and other...HS 870590

    Comes fromUnited States 65%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: parts of the vehicles of heading no. 8709 (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 16m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 243m
    Public buyers in the family705 awards from 18 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 336m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); United States supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 336mup 113% on 2022
  8. 8

    WhiskiesHS 220830

    Comes fromUnited Kingdom 50%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 24m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 338m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 322m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); United Kingdom supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 322mdown 18% on 2022
  9. 9

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120

    Comes fromThailand 46%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 21m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 209m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 299m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Thailand supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 299mdown 15% on 2022
  10. 10

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420

    Comes fromCanada 42%, 25 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 817k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 56m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 285m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Canada supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 285mup 39% on 2022
  11. 11

    Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industriesHS 330210

    Comes fromSingapore 64%, 48 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 48m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 43m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 180m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Singapore supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 180mup 17% on 2022
  12. 12

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate in aqueous or ammoniacal solutionHS 310280

    Comes fromUnited States 90%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 41k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 1.6bn
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 121m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); United States supplies 90 per cent (2).

    USD 121mdown 57% on 2022
  13. 13

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but...HS 870323

    Comes fromJapan 44%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 27m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 17bn
    Public buyers in the family548 awards from 16 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 7.0bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); Japan supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 7.0bndown 9% on 2022
  14. 14

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Comes fromUnited States 46%, 88 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAppliances: worn, carried or implanted in the body, to compensate... (exports USD 732m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 188m; 11 more lines in the heading, USD 1.3bn
    Public buyers in the family109 awards from 10 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Veterans' Affairs

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.6bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); United States supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 1.6bnup 7% on 2022
  15. 15

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Comes fromChina 62%, 106 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 128m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 171m
    Public buyers in the family27 awards from 2 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 932m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 932mup 10% on 2022
  16. 16

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromUnited States 28%, 86 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVitamins: n.e.c. in heading no. 2936, including natural concentrates (exports USD 16m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 404m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 278m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 850m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3).

    USD 850mup 15% on 2022
  17. 17

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromNew Zealand 13%, 81 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 (exports USD 964m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 106m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 298m
    Public buyers in the family1 award from 1 buyer. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 763m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3).

    USD 763mup 12% on 2022
  18. 18

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromChina 79%, 71 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 53m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 1.1bn
    Public buyers in the family599 awards from 30 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 746m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 746mup 15% on 2022
  19. 19

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for oil or gas pipelines (not seamless), longitudinally...HS 730511

    Comes fromIndonesia 71%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone named
    Exports of this lineUSD 70m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 111m
    Public buyers in the family398 awards from 3 buyers. Most frequent: Department of Defence

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 720m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); Indonesia supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 720mfrom USD 4m in 2022
  20. 20

    Reagents: diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on...HS 382219

    Comes fromUnited States 43%, 60 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAlbumins: milk albumin, including concentrates of two or more whey... (exports USD 94m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 65m
    Public buyers in the familynone matched to this product family

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 679m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Australia's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); United States supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 679mdown 68% on 2022

The bill and its path, the sources and their unit values, who exports the line well, the nearest strengths, the public buyers where a country publishes them, and the method. We reply by email. Privacy

One line per customs heading. Products Australia already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 imports USD 1.5bn, exports USD 964m, top source Singapore 27%
  • Trailers and semi-trailers: of the caravan type, for housing or camping imports USD 390m, exports USD 69m, top source China 98%
  • Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral... imports USD 519m, exports USD 219m, top source China 46%
  • Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or... imports USD 113m, exports USD 46m, top source China 36%
  • Rubber: vulcanised, conveyor belts or belting, reinforced only with metal imports USD 38m, exports USD 12m, top source China 95%
  • Medicaments: containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or... imports USD 204m, exports USD 181m, top source France 18%
  • Surveying equipment: parts and accessories for articles of heading no. 9015 imports USD 59m, exports USD 39m, top source United States 28%
  • Cellulose fibre-cement: articles or the like, sheets, panels, tiles and... imports USD 58m, exports USD 41m, top source Thailand 43%
  • Travelling theatres imports USD 17m, exports USD 4m, top source Saudi Arabia 64%
  • Machines: for mixing or kneading mineral substances, excluding concrete mixers... imports USD 24m, exports USD 11m, top source Germany 63%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1755 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Public buyers, context only, never scored: 54,905 award notices from AusTender contract notices, Australian Government Department of Finance, 2025-11-02 to 2026-11-01, of which 16,450 were classified by the buyer as goods and 14,243 joined to a product family through a crosswalk we authored, because no official one exists. Only notices whose code names a specific product group are joined; broad division codes are left out. The join is a family, not an exact line, and the counts are a floor.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-03. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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