Australia’s trade surplus narrowed to AUD 0.50 billion in August 2026, down from a downwardly revised AUD 1.35 billion in July, and came in well above market expectations for a AUD 2 billion deficit. It was the smallest surplus since May, when the trade balance last recorded a deficit, as export growth lagged behind import growth.
Imports increased 5.8% month-on-month to AUD 46.94 billion, rebounding from a downwardly revised 2.4% decline in July, driven mainly by higher purchases of ADP equipment and non-monetary gold. Exports rose 3.7% month-on-month to AUD 44.38 billion in August, recovering from a revised 3.6% drop in July, supported chiefly by stronger shipments of non-monetary gold and coal, coke, and briquettes.
