Australia’s business sentiment showed a modest improvement at the start of 2026, with the NAB Business Confidence index rising to 3 in January from 2 in December 2025. The latest reading, updated on 10 February 2026, suggests that corporate optimism is firming, albeit slowly.
The incremental uptick indicates that Australian businesses are becoming slightly more positive about trading conditions and the economic outlook compared with the end of last year. While the index remains at relatively low, single-digit levels, the move higher from December’s reading points to a gradual recovery in confidence rather than a sharp shift in sentiment.
Investors and policymakers will be watching subsequent monthly releases closely to see whether January’s rise develops into a more sustained trend, which could support business investment and hiring decisions through 2026.
