An economic impact study of the Port of Fremantle has confirmed the Port as one of Western Australia's significant individual generators of jobs and revenue.

Every ship visit to Fremantle represents an average of 3.3 full time equivalent jobs in direct and flow on terms, according to the study which was carried out by the Bureau of Transport Economics.

The direct and flow on effects of the Port's activity accounted for some 5,700 jobs, representing about 0.8 per cent of total employment in Western Australia.

The annual economic output, taking into account the direct and flow on effects, is estimated at $728 million or 0.9 per cent of Gross State Product.

Total trade handled through the port is valued at $13.7 billion annually.

Results at a Glance

The Bureau of Transport Economics and the Association of Australian Ports and Marine Authorities have been working together to develop a general framework for economic impact studies of Australian ports. The Port of Fremantle was selected as a case study for this project. The study was based on 1998/99 data.

The case study shows that the direct and flow-on effects of the operations of the Port of Fremantle account for the following:

Economic output of $728 million annually

This is the economic output attributable to activities required for the movement of ships, cargo and passengers through the Port of Fremantle. This measure does not include the value of imports and exports or other activities not associated with ship operations and the transport of cargo. As such, economic output is only a partial measure and understates the true economic worth of the Port in terms of total trade facilitation benefits.

Value added of $440 million annually

This represents gross revenue generated by port activities less the cost of intermediate inputs into production and imported goods and services. This is equivalent to 0.9 per cent of Gross State Product.

Household income of $223 million annually

Wages, salaries and other earnings paid to labour (excluding payroll tax).

5,792 jobs (full-time equivalents)

This represents 0.8 percent of total employment in Western Australia.

Payments to government of $125 million annually

Taxes and other payments to government. These payments do not include duties and taxes on imports handled at the Port of Fremantle.

On average, each ship call at the Port of Fremantle results in the following impact including direct and flow-on effects:

• $411,000 of output
• $248,000 of value added
• $126,000 of household income
• 3.3 jobs (full time equivalents)

Visiting naval vessels

Expenditure by crews from visiting US naval vessels in 1998/99 resulted in an estimated additional economic output of $22 million and 193 jobs (full-time equivalents) in Western Australia.