Exclusive: Men are spearheading a groundswell movement of buying Australian Made goods – and they are outperforming their female counterparts, it can be revealed.

A year on from our Back Australia campaign, a new survey shows tangible behavioural changes in product selection, with 66 per cent of us buying Aussie products regularly.

Twenty-three per cent always choose Australian Made whenever possible, according to the research, and 43 per cent achieve it most of the time.

And the Growth Intelligence Centre’s data found two thirds of us are prepared to pay up to 20 per cent more for the green and gold, despite many struggling with the cost of living.

Australian Made chief executive officer Ben Lazzaro said there were only positive impacts from purchasing Australian made products.

“When you buy Australian products, not only are you getting products made to some of the highest standards, whether they be quality or safety, you’re also creating jobs,” he said.

“You’re pumping money back into the economy. You’re ensuring that we have … manufacturing capability.”

Australian Retail Council chief executive officer Chris Rodwell said buying Australian made was supporting manufacturers, shops, suppliers and communities.

“Those purchases help retailers pay staff, keep the doors open and give them the confidence to keep stocking Australian made products,” he said.

“Retail is a major contributor to the Australian economy and our living standards. Whether a retailer is Australian or overseas owned, its investment and employment here is vitally important.”

Country of origin labelling remains an issue, however, with the GIC survey finding only 37 per cent of Australians think it is easy to decipher.

A further 83 per cent of respondents believe product sourcing and manufacturing labelling should be more explicit.

QUT professor and retail expert Gary Mortimer said the intention to buy Australian made didn’t always translate into actually buying Australian made, sometimes because the product was not available.

“So I want to buy an Australian-made car, but we don’t make Australian-made vehicles any longer,” he said.

“Or I want to buy an Australian-made outfit, but we don’t have a textiles industry in Australia any longer.

“So sometimes we have these great intentions to buy Australian, but sometimes the product simply is not available, and sometimes it’s a financial barrier.”

Plumber Adam Farrell is among the 72 per cent of men outperforming women (61 per cent) in purchasing Australian Made.

The 36-year-old wants to support local businesses and support his country.

“Support those that are having a crack like myself as a business owner as well,” Mr Farrell, from Sydney, said.

“Put back into your own country and support local, essentially. And also, the quality seems to be pretty good.”

Luke Filipovic, 33, said he wasn’t surprised men were more likely to buy Australian made than women and said he bought Australian made to support domestic industry.

“We try and support locals as much as we possibly can, but obviously, if we keep it in Australia, we’re keeping Australian jobs,” he said.

“The less that we have to send overseas, the better.”

This article is part of Back Australia – a series supported by Harvey Norman, News24, Ampol, Bunnings, Qantas, AAMI, Journey Beyond and Gippsland Critical Minerals.