Australia’s goods imports soared 14.1% month-over-month to a record peak of AUD 45.77 billion in March 2026, reversing a downwardly revised 2.7% decline in the previous month amid a solid rebound in domestic demand. Purchases of capital goods jumped 36.8% to AUD 12.68 billion, driven by a 204.4% spike in ADP equipment amid rising enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and its infrastructure, alongside gains in capital goods n.e.s. (16.9%) and machinery and industrial equipment (3.6%). Arrivals of intermediate and other merchandise goods rose 8.5% to AUD 17.93 billion, driven mainly by a 53.6% surge in fuels and lubricants amid higher prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, consumption goods imports grew 1.2%, lifted by higher arrivals of non-industrial transport equipment (3.8%), textiles, clothing and footwear (2.4%), and consumption goods n.e.s. (1.4%). Separately, non-monetary gold imports climbed 35.0% to AUD 2.62 billion.