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The proliferation of digital technologies and easy internet access has fundamentally transformed online retail, giving rise to global expansion of e-commerce. Generation Z, a cohort distinguished by advanced digital literacy and extensive engagement with online platforms, is considered as a critical market segment by online retailers. Despite the prominence of Generation Z in shaping digital consumption, studies examining the determinants of their online purchasing behaviour in the Australian context remains sparse. This study adopts an exploratory quantitative approach to identify latent constructs influencing Generation Z’s online shopping decisions. Data was obtained utilizing convenience sampling strategy through a self-administered online survey of 62 Generation Z consumers aged 19 to 29 years. Exploratory Factor Analysis using Principal Axis Factoring and Varimax rotation revealed six underlying dimensions influencing online buying behaviour of Generation Z in Australia. The identified factors are Inflation, Perceived Value & Convenience, Artificial Intelligence, Perceived Risk, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability. Inflation emerged as the most salient determinant, indicating economic concerns as the topmost priority for Generation Z while shopping online. Artificial Intelligence and Perceived Risk also had notable influence, indicating the influence of both technology and security motivators when shopping online. In addition, the results show that for Generation Z, ethical considerations are important but less influential in shaping immediate online buying decisions. These findings suggest that Generation Z’s buying behaviour is shaped by a blend of pragmatic, technological, and value-driven factors and hence this study reveals Generation Z’s complex behaviour with online shopping. The findings offer practical insights for e-commerce businesses and digital marketers in Australia, enabling more targeted and ethically aligned engagement strategies. Results need cautious interpretation as small sample size and convenience sampling may affect the generalizability.