Turnover rises in accommodation and food services

However, construction turnover fell (-8.9 per cent) amid supply and weather issues according to latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Branko Vitas, head of the business indicators branch, said turnover for accommodation and food services continued to recover in April, rising for the third consecutive month. April saw the continued easing of COVID-19 restrictions and more people travelling, dining out and holding family gatherings over the holiday period.

The Monthly Business Turnover Indicator found turnover increased in nine of the 13 selected industries in April 2022 (seasonally adjusted).

Construction saw the largest percentage fall across the industries, decreasing by 8.9 per cent in April. Turnover generally fell for residential building businesses, as material and labour supply issues, as well as higher-than-average rainfall, resulted in slower progress on construction projects. 

Of the 13 industries, 12 recorded year-on-year increases in business turnover, with mining (40.3 per cent) and transport, postal and warehousing (32.6 per cent) seeing the largest rises. The recovery in airline activity, especially over the three months to April 2022, has driven the strength in turnover for the transport, postal and warehousing industry.