Economy

The major branches of trades in Australia are mining and agriculture. The primary export commodities are coal, gold, meat, wool (merino wool amounts are almost a third of the world wool production), aluminium, iron ore, wheat, machinery and transport equipment. The export partners are divided as follows: developing countries 45.6%, Japan 19.7%, ASEAN 13.3%, EU 11.7%, US 9.7% (in 2001).

The mining industry is one of the most important branches of trade

The size of some agricultural machines is really impressing

Import commodities are primarily machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products. The import partners are divided in developing countries 31.7%, EU 21.6%, US 18.9%, ASEAN 14.8% and Japan 13.0% (in 2001).

The labor force - by occupation: services 73%, industry 22%, agriculture 5% (1997 est.)

In 2002 the unemployment rate was 6,3 %.

Source: CIA Factbook, 2003