Australia’s manufacturing sector returned to expansion territory in April 2026, as the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI rose to 51.0, up from 49.8 in March. The latest reading, updated on 22 April 2026, signals a shift from marginal contraction to modest growth in factory activity.
A PMI value above 50 indicates an overall improvement in business conditions, suggesting that demand and production in Australia’s manufacturing sector have strengthened after hovering just below the expansion threshold in March. While the move is relatively moderate, it marks a potentially important turning point for the sector’s near‑term momentum.