Lyla Lindsey
Western Australia's economy is largely based on primary products from industries such as mining, agriculture, and horticulture. The state has abundant natural resources, making it a global hub for the resources sector, with strengths in mining, oil and gas, and new energies. The main industries in Western Australia include mining, agriculture, fishing, and tourism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mining | Coal, tin, mineral sands, bauxite, petroleum, natural gas, lithium |
| Agriculture | Wheat, barley, grains, meat, animals (sheep, cattle), wool, lupines, oilseeds, dairy, fruit, and vegetables |
| Horticulture | Grapes, tropical fruit |
| Forestry | Jarrah, karri, pine, eucalyptus, sandalwood |
| Fishing | Western rock lobsters, prawns, crabs, shark, tuna, scallops, abalones, Australian salmon, herring |
| Food and Beverage | Cheese, processed meats, olive oil, honey, preserves, dips, bush and indigenous foods, craft beer, gin, spirits, kombucha, wine |
| Tourism | Worth approximately A$6 billion in 2012 |
| Health and Medical Life Sciences | Artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, environmental restoration, advanced manufacturing |
| Energy | Oil, gas, LNG, electricity generation |
| Education | International education |
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![The Western Australian Industrial Gazette. Volume 1-2 1921 1921 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Western Australia has a strong mining industry
Iron ore is the most important commodity in Western Australia, accounting for 60% of sales in the state's mineral and petroleum industry in 2019-20. The state's iron ore exports were valued at $78.2 billion in 2018-19, with the bulk going to China (82%) and Japan (7.9%). The petroleum sector, consisting of oil and gas, is the second most important, making up 22% of the overall value.
Gold is the third most important commodity in the state, valued at $16 billion in 2019-20, making up 9.2% of the overall value. Alumina, nickel, and base metals (copper, lead, and zinc) followed in order of importance, each achieving a value of over $1 billion. Other major commodities include lithium, mineral sands, salt, coal, cobalt, rare earths, and diamonds.
Western Australia has some of the world's largest reserves of minerals used in the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminium, vanadium, rare earth metals, and graphite. The state is also committed to assisting the development of the potash and minerals in brine industry.
The mining and petroleum industry in Western Australia directly employed an average of 135,001 people in 2019-20, with the largest employers being the iron ore and gold sectors.
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It is a global leader in animal exports
Western Australia is a global leader in animal exports. The state's vast size, extensive coastline, varied landscapes, and diverse climate zones enable the production of a broad range of products. The main form of agriculture is extensive grain and sheep farming in the southwestern region. The major products are wheat, barley, and other grains; meat and animals (especially sheep and cattle); wool; and, increasingly, crops such as lupines and oilseeds.
The state's livestock industries contributed 26% of the state’s agriculture, fisheries, and forestry production, worth approximately $2 billion in 2011/12. Western Australia is a world leader in live exports, super-fine wool production, and dryland sheep and grain systems. The state's cattle and sheep systems are focused on export markets in Asia and the Middle East.
There is a high level of overseas demand for imports of live animals from Western Australia, driven mainly by Southeast Asia's feedlots and Middle Eastern countries. Cultural and religious traditions and a lack of storage and refrigeration facilities in these countries favour live animals over imports of processed meat. Approximately 50% of Australia's live cattle exports come from Western Australia.
Western Australia's food and beverage industry is highly innovative and adopts technology to improve productivity, increase quality, extend product shelf life, and improve supply chains and product traceability. The state produces some of the finest, most sought-after, and ecologically sustainable seafood in the world, including western rock lobster, prawns, abalone, octopus, and seaweed.
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![Notes on the Forests and Forest Products and Industries of Western Australia (1920) [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61FbOFgXaEL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
WA has a thriving tourism industry
Western Australia has a thriving tourism industry, with the state government actively promoting it as an extraordinary holiday destination. The industry is a vital part of the state's economy, supporting over 120,000 jobs and generating billions in visitor spending each year. Tourism WA, the state government agency responsible for tourism promotion, focuses on marketing the state and attracting major sporting, cultural, and business events.
Western Australia offers a diverse range of tourism experiences, from its vibrant cities like Perth and Fremantle to its natural attractions, including its extensive coastline, varied landscapes, and diverse climate zones. The state's five tourism regions provide unique experiences, such as the Margaret River wine region, the ancient Kimberley region with its diamond mines, and the pristine beaches and marine life of the west coast.
The state's Indigenous heritage is also a significant drawcard for tourists, with Aboriginal peoples acknowledged as the traditional custodians of Western Australia. Tourism Western Australia celebrates the diversity of Aboriginal West Australians and honours their continuing connection to Country, culture, and community. The state's tourism industry recognises the invaluable contributions of First Nations peoples in shaping Western Australia as a premier destination.
Tourism businesses in Western Australia play a crucial role in the industry's success, with over 31,000 tourism businesses operating in the state. These businesses range from small hospitality providers to global airlines, showcasing the diversity of the industry. The state government's WAVES 2033 initiative sets an ambitious goal to grow visitor spending to $25 billion per annum by 2033, further emphasising the importance of tourism to the state's economy.
Western Australia's tourism industry is well-positioned to cater to the growing global demand for premium, sustainably produced products. The state's food and beverage industry is highly innovative, adopting technology to improve productivity and quality. With its unique cultural offerings, natural attractions, and vibrant cities, Western Australia continues to be a sought-after destination for travellers from around the world, contributing significantly to the state's economic growth and development.
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WA has a strong primary industry sector
Western Australia has a strong primary industry sector, with a focus on agriculture, mining, and fishing. The state's economy is largely based on unprocessed primary products, including mining, agriculture (including pastoralism), horticulture, and, to a lesser extent, forestry and fishing.
Western Australia's varied landscapes and diverse climate zones enable the production of a broad range of agricultural products. The state's food and beverage industry is highly innovative, adopting technology to improve productivity, quality, and supply chain efficiency. Western Australia is a world leader in animal exports and produces premium-grade fresh meat products, including beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and goat. The state also produces some of Australia's highest-quality dairy products and has nine wine regions, including the world-renowned Margaret River and the Swan Valley, the oldest wine-growing region.
The state has a significant fishing industry, with products for local consumption and export, including Western Rock Lobsters, prawns, crabs, shark, tuna, scallops, abalones, Australian salmon, and herring. Western Australia is also a global centre for the resources sector, with expertise in mining, oil, and gas. The state is the world's largest lithium producer and has the largest reserves of battery minerals. Coal mined near Collie is used to generate most of Western Australia's electricity, and natural gas is exported and piped domestically for industrial use and power generation.
Western Australia also has a thriving tourism industry, with approximately 7,000,000 overnight visitors to the state in 2012, contributing approximately A$6 billion to the economy. The state's diverse landscapes, coastline, and climate zones attract visitors from intrastate, interstate, and overseas.
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WA is a centre of scientific and technological innovation
Western Australia is a thriving state with a diverse range of industries. WA is a centre of scientific and technological innovation, particularly in the health and medical life sciences sectors. Perth, the state's capital, is renowned for its expertise in these fields and is a hub for world-leading medical research facilities and universities. The WA Life Sciences precinct is one of the government's Innovation Hubs, fostering connections and skill-building within the innovation community. The Murdoch Health & Knowledge Precinct is also currently being developed in Perth, which will bring together health research, medical care, and higher education.
The state has a history of delivering world-first innovations such as spray-on skin, and its health and medical industries continue to flourish with the support of innovative communities and research institutes. WA is also a leader in artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, environmental restoration, and advanced manufacturing.
In addition to its strengths in health and medical sciences, WA is a global leader in the resources sector, with expertise in mining, oil and gas, and new energies. The state is home to the first two mines in the world to use fully remote-controlled trucks, guided from an operations centre in Perth. WA is also the world's largest lithium producer and has the largest reserves of battery minerals. The state's abundant natural resources have attracted many multinational companies, such as Shell, Chevron, and Rio Tinto, to establish major offices in WA.
WA's primary industries, including agriculture and food production, also showcase its innovation and technological capabilities. The state's food and beverage industry adopts technology to improve productivity, quality, and supply chain efficiency. With strong links to research and development, WA's primary industries are well-positioned to meet the growing global demand for sustainably and ethically produced premium products.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia's economy is largely based on unprocessed primary products from mining, agriculture, and horticulture, and to a lesser extent, forestry and fishing. Western Australia is a global centre for the resources sector, with expertise in mining, oil and gas, and new energies.
Western Australia's primary industries include seafood, dairy, fruit, vegetables, meat, livestock, aquaculture, grains, pulses, oilseeds, honey, processed foods, wines, and beverages.
Western Australia is the world's largest lithium producer and has the largest reserves of battery minerals. Coal is mined near Collie and is used to generate most of Western Australia's electricity. Tin and mineral sands are also quarried and processed in the region.
![The Italian Confectioner, Or, Complete Economy of Desserts : According to the Most Modern and Approved Practice. / by G.A. Jarrin, Confectioner, New Bond Street. 1829 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
