Australian merchandise imports rose 6 per cent or $1.010 billion in February, to $18.032 billion, seasonally adjusted, official national figures show.

Unadjusted, merchandise imports climbed 5 per cent to $16.569 billion from $15.777 billion in January, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics said Monday machinery and transport equipment accounted for the largest proportion of imports in original terms and were valued at A$5.79 billion.

Imports of mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials went up to $2.771 billion in February, from $2.225 billion the previous month. Imports of machinery and transport equipment slid to $5.791 billion, from $5.976 billion the month before.

Monthly trade results for March, which will include seasonally adjusted import and export data, will be released on April 19.