Australia’s business sentiment deteriorated further in September, with the NAB Business Confidence index slipping to -13 from -8 in August 2026, underscoring growing pessimism across the corporate sector. The latest reading, updated on 13 October 2026, signals that more firms now report worsening conditions than improving ones.
The deepening negative sentiment suggests rising caution among Australian businesses, which may weigh on hiring, investment, and expansion plans in the months ahead. While the data does not detail sector-specific performance, the continued move further below zero points to broad-based concern over the economic outlook as companies navigate an increasingly challenging environment.
