Australia Government net lending/borrowing in Australia

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -2.4% 2027: -2.1% 2028: -1.9% 2029: -1.7% 2030: -1.5% 2031: -1.4%
0.7 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV
Period% of GDP
Jan 1999 0.7
Jan 1998 -0.2
Jan 1997 -0.5
Jan 1996 -1.5
Jan 1995 -2.6
Jan 1994 -3.8
Jan 1993 -4.7
Jan 1992 -4.7
Jan 1991 -2.8
Jan 1990 -0.2

About this indicator

Source
International Monetary Fund
Frequency
Annual
Release
Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.
What it is
The government deficit is the shortfall in Australia's public accounts when spending exceeds revenue over a financial year (July to June). It is usually shown as a share of GDP, with the Commonwealth's underlying cash balance the headline measure.
How it's calculated
It is the gap between government revenue and spending, released by the Australian Treasury and the ABS under Government Finance Statistics. The balance is expressed against GDP, distinguishing the cash balance from the accrual-based fiscal balance.
Market implications
The deficit drives the government's borrowing needs and the debt path, and is watched by rating agencies assessing Australia's AAA status. A wider-than-expected shortfall can lift bond issuance and weigh on market sentiment.
Limitations
It is a low-frequency figure prone to revision and sensitive to commodity cycles, which swing Australian revenues sharply. The headline balance should be read apart from the primary balance, which strips out interest, and from the cyclical component.