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Online Car Classifieds in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)

Kathrina Gonzales Kathrina Gonzales Melbourne, Australia Last Updated: November 2023 ANZSIC OD4085

Revenue

$480.5m

2023-24

$480.5m

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

1,286

Businesses

28

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Online Car Classifieds in Australia industry analysis

Revenue for the Online Car Classifieds industry has been volatile in recent years but has grown overall. As the economy deteriorated during the pandemic, new passenger vehicle sales diminished, negatively affecting credit availability and constraining demand for online car classifieds. The pandemic caused revenue to plummet in 2019-20, as restrictions on movement and gatherings hurt demand for motor vehicles and their accompanying classified ads. However, online car classifieds sellers have benefited from rising demand for online services, with online classifieds websites replacing newspapers as the main resource for private car listings. Revenue is expected to have climbed at an annualised 0.1% over the five years through 2023-24 to an estimated $480.5 million. This includes anticipated growth of 9.2% in the current year as surging car sales revenue supports greater demand for online car classifieds and industry profitability.

Trends and Insights

  • Consistent growth in the number of motor vehicles supports revenue growth for online car classifieds. Growing population numbers are boosting the number of vehicles on the road.
  • Private sellers' share of the market is burgeoning. More private sellers are cutting out dealerships and directly advertising their cars online.
  • Centres of technological activity draw more online car classifieds providers. Establishments gravitate towards the metropolitan hubs of Sydney and Melbourne.
  • User experience and website presentation determine consumers’ choices. Those who buy and sell cars online look to the best websites with the best user experiences.
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Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2013-2028
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Industry Overview

Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $480.5m in 2023.

Trends and Insights

A digital shift and population growth propel online car classifieds revenue

  • Online car classifieds providers are expecting to gain revenue in 2023-24 as more individuals access the internet, enhancing consumer activity and driving demand for automotive advertisements in the digital space.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Online Car Classifieds in Australia
Revenue (2013-2028)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Improved efficiencies and acquisitions will boost major providers' profit margins

  • Carsales.com's ongoing dominance will ensure that consolidation activity continues within the industry for years to come, supporting profit margin growth.

Biggest companies in the Online Car Classifieds in Australia

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
carsales.com
349.9
Gumtree AU
53.6
Nine Entertainment Co
9.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Online Car Classifieds in Australia
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Premium listings, Standard listings and Display advertising. Premium listings is the largest segment of the Online Car Classifieds in Australia.

Trends and Insights

Standard listings have gained ground as display advertising wanes

  • Most paid advertising on car classifieds websites is for standard listings. These listings normally include a picture and description of the vehicle and the seller's contact details.
  • More insights available in the full report

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Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Motor Vehicle Dealers in Australia
  • Automotive Industry in Australia
  • Internet Publishing and Broadcasting in Australia

International industries

  • Online Car Dealers in the US

View all industries in Australia

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The industry retails automobiles online to consumers and businesses and also provides services to aid in automobile purchases. Automobiles sold include passenger cars, trucks and sports utility vehicles. Some online car classified providers offer their customers trade-in, car financing and car selling services.

What's included in this industry?

Premium listingsStandard listingsDisplay advertising

Companies

carsales.comGumtree AUNine Entertainment Co

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

WEB TRAFFICDISPLAY ADVERTISINGFEDERAL CHAMBER OF AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES

Industry Code

ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 5700 - Online Car Classifieds in Australia

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Consistent growth in the number of motor vehicles supports revenue growth for online car classifieds. Growing population numbers are boosting the number of vehicles on the ro...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
  • Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Private sellers' share of the market is burgeoning. More private sellers are cutting out dealerships and directly advertising their cars online.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2023
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2023
  • Major market segmentation in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Centres of technological activity draw more online car classifieds providers. Establishments gravitate towards the metropolitan hubs of Sydney and Melbourne.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2023

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

User experience and website presentation determine consumers’ choices. Those who buy and sell cars online look to the best websites with the best user experiences.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Carsales.com continues to dominate the Online Car Classifieds industry. The company enjoys almost 75% of the market share and is set to continue its dominance.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
  • Overview of carsales.com's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Gumtree AU's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of Nine Entertainment Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for carsales.com, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Gumtree AU, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nine Entertainment Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Online car classifieds are moderately regulated. Online car classified providers are still accountable to the Australian Consumer Law and the advertising code of ethics.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Revenue growth is boosting profit margins. Online car classifieds providers have endured tough years, but the highs have outstripped the lows, aiding profitability.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • Average Wage (2013-2028)
  • Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
  • IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
  • Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
  • Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2013-2028)
  • IVA (2013-2028)
  • Establishments (2013-2028)
  • Enterprises (2013-2028)
  • Employment (2013-2028)
  • Exports (2013-2028)
  • Imports (2013-2028)
  • Wages (2013-2028)

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Australia include:

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Australian Securities & Investments Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia in 2024?

The market size of the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia is $480.5m in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Online Car Classifieds in Australia industry in 2023?

There are 28 businesses in the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2018 and 2023.

Has the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2018 and 2023.

What is the forecast growth of the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Online Car Classifieds market in Australia?

The biggest companies operating in the Online Car Classifieds market in Australia are carsales.com, Gumtree AU and Nine Entertainment Co

What does the Online Car Classifieds in Australia include?

Premium listings and Standard listings are part of the Online Car Classifieds industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Online Car Classifieds in Australia?

The company holding the most market share in Australia is carsales.com.

How competitive is the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Online Car Classifieds industry in Australia.