Highlights

  • Australia’s seasonally adjusted goods Trade Surplus rises by AUD 2.642 billion to AUD 2.826 billion in September 2026.
  • Goods exports increase AUD 1.090 billion, or 2.3%, to AUD 48.434 billion, supported by mineral fuels and metals.
  • Goods imports decrease AUD 1.551 billion, or 3.3%, to AUD 45.609 billion, reflecting lower gold and aircraft imports.
  • Non-rural exports grow 2.8%, while rural exports rise 3.6% as meat shipments increase in value.

Australia’s goods trade surplus widened to AUD 2.826 billion in September 2026, compared with AUD 184 million in August. The seasonally adjusted balance improved by AUD 2.642 billion as exports increased and imports declined during the month. Goods exports reached AUD 48.434 billion, while imports stood at AUD 45.609 billion. The figures cover trade in goods, not a combined goods-and-services balance, and the month’s improvement reflected movements on both sides of the trade ledger.

Mineral Fuels and Metals Lift Export Value

Goods exports rose AUD 1.090 billion, or 2.3%, from August. Non-rural goods contributed most of the increase, rising AUD 975 million, or 2.8%, to AUD 35.644 billion. Other mineral fuels increased AUD 502 million, or 6.6%, to AUD 8.121 billion. Metals excluding non-monetary gold gained AUD 382 million, or 23.5%, reaching AUD 2.007 billion. Metal ores and minerals exports rose AUD 305 million, or 2.3%, to AUD 13.596 billion, while coal, coke and briquettes decreased AUD 236 million, or 3.5%, to AUD 6.495 billion.

Rural Exports Add Another Contribution

Rural goods exports increased AUD 221 million, or 3.6%, to AUD 6.402 billion. Meat and meat preparations accounted for an increase of AUD 243 million, or 11.3%, reaching AUD 2.396 billion. Cereal grains and cereal preparations fell AUD 88 million, or 7.0%, to AUD 1.164 billion, while wool and sheepskins declined AUD 9 million, or 3.3%. These movements show how a rise in meat export value more than offset lower values in several other rural categories during September.

Gold and Aircraft Imports Move Lower

On the Import side, total goods debits fell AUD 1.551 billion, or 3.3%, to AUD 45.609 billion. Non-monetary gold imports declined AUD 1.096 billion, or 34.7%, from August, reaching AUD 2.059 billion. Capital Goods imports decreased AUD 330 million, or 2.5%, to AUD 12.893 billion; within that category, civil aircraft and confidentialised items fell AUD 359 million, or 33.7%. These reductions were principal contributors to the lower import total.

Consumer Goods Decline as Some Inputs Rise

Consumption goods imports fell AUD 281 million, or 2.2%, to AUD 12.538 billion, including a AUD 142 million decline in non-industrial transport equipment. General merchandise imports decreased AUD 455 million, or 1.0%, overall. In contrast, intermediate and other merchandise goods increased AUD 156 million, or 0.9%, with fuels and lubricants rising AUD 136 million, or 2.3%. Thus, the decline in aggregate imports did not extend uniformly across every goods category.

What the September Reading Establishes

September’s outcome follows a surplus of AUD 1.515 billion in July and AUD 184 million in August. The movement to AUD 2.826 billion reflects a higher monthly export value combined with a reduced import bill. Some individual components, including non-monetary gold, are not seasonally adjusted even though the headline balance is presented on a seasonally adjusted basis. The October 2026 goods trade figures are scheduled for release in December, providing the next monthly comparison.