Australia posted a merchandise trade deficit of A$2.906 billion in November, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday.
That beat forecasts for a shortfall of A$2.970 billion following the upwardly revised A$3.247 billion deficit in October (originally -A$3.305 billion).
Exports were up A$160 Million or 1.0 percent on month to A$26.764 billion.
Rural goods climbed A$554 million (15 percent). Non-monetary gold fell A$216 million (15 percent) and non-rural goods dipped A$214 million (1 percent).
Net exports of goods under merchanting remained steady at A$14 million. Services credits added A$35 million (1 percent).
Imports sank A$182 million or 1.0 percent to A$29.670 billion.
Intermediate and other merchandise goods shed A$165 million (2 percent) and non-monetary gold tumbled A$157 million (36 percent).
Capital goods added A$67 million (1 percent) and consumption goods collected A$63 million (1 percent). Services debits gained A$9 million.
Also on Thursday, the ABS said that the total number of building approvals issued is Australia skidded a seasonally adjusted 12.7 percent on month in November, coming in at 17,124.
That was well shy of forecasts for a decline of 3.0 percent on month following the downwardly revised 3.3 percent increase in October (originally 3.9 percent).
On a yearly basis, approvals tumbled 8.4 percent - also missing expectations for an increase of 3.9 percent following the upwardly revised 12.6 percent spike in the previous month (originally 12.3 percent).
The seasonally adjusted estimate of the value of total building approved fell 5.0 percent in November following a rise of 6.4 percent in the previous month.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.