Australia Military Spending
Defense budget and military expenditure data (1950–2027)
Data updated: July 7, 2026
Key Facts (2026 estimate)
Military Expenditure
$37.0 billion
Ranked #17 of 153 countries worldwide
Percent of GDP
2.1%
Ranked #75 of 163 countries by % of GDP
Year-over-Year Change
+5.0%
From $35.3B in 2025
Historical Peak Spending
$38.8 billion
Reached in 2027
Australia Defense Budget Summary
In 2026, Australia is estimated to have spent $37.0 billion on military and defense, representing 2.1% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This budget covers the armed forces including army, navy, and air force expenditures. Australia is the #17 highest military spender in the world by absolute spending.
Compared to the previous year (2025), defense spending increased by 5.0%, from $35.3 billion to $37.0 billion. This change in the military budget reflects growing defense priorities.
The highest percentage of GDP allocated to defense spending was 5.2% in 1952. The historical average military budget is 2.4% of GDP.
Data source: SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Values are in constant 2024 US dollars. Data for 2026 is an estimate based on government budget announcements.
Historical Military Spending
Military Spending (% of GDP)
Military Spending (USD Billions, 2024 prices)
Historical Data
| Year | Percent of GDP | USD (millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 2027(estimate) | 2.20% | $38,790M |
| 2026(estimate) | 2.10% | $37,027M |
| 2025 | 1.92% | $35,264M |
| 2024 | 1.90% | $34,231M |
| 2023 | 1.86% | $33,239M |
| 2022 | 1.88% | $33,625M |
| 2021 | 1.97% | $33,395M |
| 2020 | 2.00% | $31,268M |
| 2019 | 1.87% | $29,810M |
| 2018 | 1.89% | $29,024M |
| 2017 | 2.00% | $29,734M |
| 2016 | 2.08% | $29,787M |
| 2015 | 1.94% | $27,201M |
| 2014 | 1.76% | $24,677M |
| 2013 | 1.63% | $22,737M |
| 2012 | 1.66% | $22,936M |
| 2011 | 1.75% | $23,769M |
| 2010 | 1.85% | $24,103M |
| 2009 | 1.92% | $23,826M |
| 2008 | 1.79% | $22,157M |
| 2007 | 1.81% | $21,377M |
| 2006 | 1.81% | $20,140M |
| 2005 | 1.79% | $19,118M |
| 2004 | 1.82% | $18,473M |
| 2003 | 1.84% | $17,742M |
| 2002 | 1.86% | $17,417M |
| 2001 | 1.86% | $16,699M |
| 2000 | 1.82% | $16,063M |
| 1999 | 1.88% | $16,107M |
| 1998 | 1.87% | $15,356M |
| 1997 | 1.86% | $14,639M |
| 1996 | 1.93% | $14,381M |
| 1995 | 2.02% | $14,560M |
| 1994 | 2.11% | $15,031M |
| 1993 | 2.17% | $14,865M |
| 1992 | 2.16% | $14,322M |
| 1991 | 2.16% | $13,916M |
| 1990 | 2.07% | $13,683M |
| 1989 | 2.05% | $13,616M |
| 1988 | 2.16% | $13,731M |
| 1987 | 2.37% | $14,236M |
| 1986 | 2.54% | $14,737M |
| 1985 | 2.52% | $14,653M |
| 1984 | 2.51% | $13,975M |
| 1983 | 2.52% | $12,962M |
| 1982 | 2.39% | $12,530M |
| 1981 | 2.30% | $11,918M |
| 1980 | 2.25% | $11,162M |
| 1979 | 2.19% | $10,615M |
| 1978 | 2.22% | $10,271M |
| 1977 | 2.25% | $10,159M |
| 1976 | 2.22% | $10,106M |
| 1975 | 2.27% | $9,953M |
| 1974 | 2.26% | $9,795M |
| 1973 | 2.38% | $9,932M |
| 1972 | 2.69% | $10,368M |
| 1971 | 2.76% | $10,364M |
| 1970 | 2.97% | $10,665M |
| 1969 | 3.39% | $11,407M |
| 1968 | 3.84% | $11,800M |
| 1967 | 3.79% | $10,979M |
| 1966 | 3.45% | $9,332M |
| 1965 | 2.95% | $7,669M |
| 1964 | 2.65% | $6,640M |
| 1963 | 2.45% | $5,734M |
| 1962 | 2.36% | $5,100M |
| 1961 | 2.42% | $4,894M |
| 1960 | 2.37% | $4,897M |
| 1959 | 3.10% | $4,978M |
| 1958 | 3.25% | $4,949M |
| 1957 | 3.32% | $4,995M |
| 1956 | 3.67% | $5,204M |
| 1955 | 3.86% | $5,370M |
| 1954 | 3.97% | $5,288M |
| 1953 | 4.80% | $5,895M |
| 1952 | 5.18% | $5,857M |
| 1951 | 3.74% | $4,586M |
| 1950 | 2.88% | $3,193M |