Higher over the period
Australia Primary Energy Consumption moved from 5.76 Exajoules in 2015 to 6.02 Exajoules in 2023 (+4.5%), an average of +0.6% a year. The series high was 6.98 Exajoules in 2022 and the low 5.71 Exajoules in 2020.
What Australia Primary Energy Consumption shows
Australia Primary Energy Consumption was 6.02 Exajoules in 2023, down 13.8% on 2022. The Primary Energy Consumption dataset of Australia from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s energy consumption landscape, highlighting total energy demand, consumption patterns, and long-term changes in the overall energy system.
A 18.2% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2022) and low (2020) is 1.27 Exajoules. The sharpest single-year move was +22% in 2022.
Ranks 15 of 37 countries covered
Among the 37 countries in this dataset, Australia ranks 15 for 2023, behind China (170.7 Exajoules) and U.S. (94.28 Exajoules). It accounts for 1% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Australia Primary Energy Consumption by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Exajoules.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Exajoules | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6.02 | −13.8% |
| 2022Peak | 6.98 | +22% |
| 2021 | 5.72 | +0.2% |
| 2020 Trough | 5.71 | −5.6% |
| 2019 | 6.05 | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 5.85 | +1.4% |
| 2017 | 5.77 | −0.2% |
| 2016 | 5.78 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 5.76 | — |
Regional context
How Australia compares in Asia-Pacific
Primary Energy Consumption by country, 2023, Exajoules. Australia is highlighted.
1China170.7
2Japan17.40
3South Korea12.43
4Indonesia10.10
5Australia6.02
6Thailand5.01
7Vietnam4.89
8Malaysia4.81
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries.
The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
About this indicator
Primary Energy Consumption — - Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
Measured in Exajoules (EJ), the dataset represents the total primary energy consumed across the country and serves as an important indicator of energy utilization, economic activity, and infrastructure development.
Australia recorded primary energy consumption of 5.76 EJ in 2015, followed by a slight increase to 5.78 EJ in 2016. Consumption decreased marginally to 5.77 EJ in 2017 before increasing to 5.85 EJ in 2018. In 2019, energy consumption reached 6.05 EJ, reflecting higher energy demand during the period. In 2020, consumption declined to 5.71 EJ due to reduced economic activity and changing energy requirements. Consumption remained stable in 2021 at 5.72 EJ and increased significantly to 6.98 EJ in 2022. In 2023, Australia recorded primary energy consumption of 6.02 EJ, showing a moderation compared with the previous year.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a relatively stable primary energy consumption trend in Australia between 2015 and 2023, with moderate fluctuations throughout the period. The increase in 2022 represents the highest consumption level recorded, while the decline during 2020 highlights the impact of temporary economic disruptions. The overall pattern reflects changes in energy demand, industrial activity, and evolving energy consumption behavior.
The dataset is valuable for analyzing Australia’s energy consumption trends, evaluating long-term demand patterns, and comparing national energy utilization with other economies. It supports research related to energy planning, sustainability strategies, infrastructure assessment, and resource management. Additionally, the data provides important insights for researchers, analysts, and policymakers studying energy efficiency, consumption changes, and the future development of Australia’s energy landscape.
- Indicator
- Primary Energy Consumption
- Country
- Australia
- Region
- Asia-Pacific
- Unit
- Exajoules
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Australia Primary Energy Consumption?
Definition- Primary Energy Consumption refers to the total amount of energy consumed by a country before conversion into secondary energy forms such as electricity, heat, or refined fuels. It represents the consumption of energy from primary sources including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources within a given year. The metric is generally measured in Exajoules (EJ) and provides an overview of a country’s overall energy demand, economic activity, industrial development, and energy system structure. Primary Energy Consumption is an important indicator for evaluating energy usage patterns, resource dependence, energy security, and long-term energy transition trends across countries.
What was Australia Primary Energy Consumption in 2023?
Australia Primary Energy Consumption was 6.02 Exajoules in 2023, down 13.8% on 2022.
How has Australia Primary Energy Consumption changed between 2015 and 2023?
Australia Primary Energy Consumption moved from 5.76 Exajoules in 2015 to 6.02 Exajoules in 2023 (+4.5%), an average of +0.6% a year. The series high was 6.98 Exajoules in 2022 and the low 5.71 Exajoules in 2020.
Which year had the highest and lowest Australia Primary Energy Consumption?
The highest value was 6.98 Exajoules in 2022 and the lowest was 5.71 Exajoules in 2020.
What does the Australia Primary Energy Consumption data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes consumption of primary energy from major energy sources such as coal, crude oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectricity, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and other renewable energy sources. It covers energy used across different sectors, including industrial, residential, commercial, transportation, and power generation activities. The dataset accounts for energy input before transformation into secondary energy products, allowing measurement of total energy demand at the national level. It includes domestically consumed energy and follows standardized calculation methodologies based on energy statistics from national sources and international energy databases, enabling comparison of energy consumption trends among countries. Excluded: The data excludes secondary energy products after conversion, such as electricity and refined petroleum products, when measured separately from their original primary energy inputs. It does not represent only electricity consumption or final energy consumption by end users. The indicator does not directly measure energy efficiency, energy affordability, carbon emissions, or the quality and reliability of energy services. Energy losses occurring during energy transformation, distribution, and transmission are accounted for according to the methodology used but do not represent actual useful energy consumed by consumers. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national statistical reporting, estimation methods, and energy accounting practices.
Where does the Australia Primary Energy Consumption data come from?
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Exajoules.
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