Australia’s net exports returned to positive territory in the second quarter of 2026, offering modest support to overall economic growth after acting as a significant drag earlier in the year. According to data updated on 1 September 2026, net exports contributed 0.1% to growth in the second quarter, compared with a negative contribution of -0.8% in the first quarter of 2026.
The shift from a sizeable negative to a slight positive contribution indicates an improved balance between exports and imports over the period. While the latest figure is modest, the turnaround suggests external trade is no longer weighing as heavily on Australia’s quarterly performance as it did at the start of the year. Investors and policymakers will be watching subsequent releases to see whether this recovery in net exports can be sustained in the coming quarters.
