Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of natural resources. The country has been blessed with high-quality agricultural products, including beef, wool, and minerals, such as iron ore, coal, and natural gas. The region has been developing strong trade relationships with many countries, including those in the Asia-Pacific. Australia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $1.83 trillion in 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Exports are a significant part of Australia's economic contribution, recorded 24.71% in 2024. When iron ore accounts for 20% of total exports, other products, such as wheat and liquefied natural gas, also appear in the top list. The region is one of the fastest-growing, excelling in global trade by exchanging educational services, tourism, agricultural goods, and natural resources with partners worldwide.
Australia is a key exporter to the Asia-Pacific region, as there is still room for development in some countries that demand more food, energy, and a skilled workforce. Australia’s strategic location, abundant resources, and robust economy have made it one of the most trusted business partners.
Australia has been exporting agricultural products and gold to global markets. However, the dominant country’s exports are still iron ore and other resources. Australia is self-sufficient in gold, making it 4% of total exports. Due to rapid development in China, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, Australia has been a major exporter of iron to countries building advanced infrastructure.
Apart from iron, Australia has been exporting energy sources such as coal, which account for 12% of the country’s total exports. Australia is the second-largest producer and exporter of coal in the world, and has exported nearly 390 million tonnes to global markets. The region also exports 5% of natural gas, making it one of the largest producers and exporters of liquified gas. Although crude oil production has declined in recent years, it accounts for up to 3% of the country’s total exports.
Australia has been a highly diverse region in choosing export partners, making it a long-term economic partner in the global landscape. Australia has been building trade relationships with countries that do not share strong cultural ties, making them more open to global challenges and pitfalls.
The following are Australia's largest exported products globally:
In 2025, Australia was the global mining leader, a major player, and a quick adopter of sustainable technologies. It is one of Australia's leading exports. The country has 36% of the world’s Lead reserves, 29.4% of its manganese, and 29% of its iron ore. It also has vast reserves of zinc, gold, cobalt, silver, and bauxite, making it the most resource-rich nation in the world. Australia’s iron ore production is expected to grow by 1.4% in 2025, followed by a 2.8% CAGR during the forecast period of 2025-2030 to reach 1,108.7 million tonnes (mt).
Australia's gold exports are expected to rise by 12 billion AUD (nearly 7.9 billion USD) to 60 billion AUD in the current financial year ending in June 2026, as the country exports more gold at higher prices. Whereas, iron ore is expected to remain Australia’s largest earner, accounting for around a quarter of all resource and energy commodity earnings over the next two years. Iron ore prices for the current financial year are expected to be $87 a ton. For 2026-2027, the department raised its forecast by $1 to $83 a ton.
Agricultural products such as meat, beef, livestock, wheat, barley, and wool are Australia's main exports and the biggest contributors to the export economy. In 2024, Australia exported beef and veal (12.3 m AUD) with a 17.3% share, wheat (9.8 m AUD) with a 13.8% share, dairy (3.3 m AUD) with a 4.7% share, and barley (3.3 m AUD) with a 4.6% share. Australia has always exported more agricultural and food products than it imports, accounting for over 70% of its total exports.
Australia’s current automotive industry is valued at 37.1 billion US dollars. It has contributed 2.9% to the country’s economy in 2025. If we take a close look, we can see that Australia’s exports are around 3.8 billion US dollars, including car parts, car components, and specialized vehicles. Thailand has emerged as our biggest automotive trading partner, followed by Japan and South Korea. These relationships have strengthened through various trade agreements, with automotive exports to ASEAN countries increasing by 23% in the past three years.
The automotive trade deficit sits at about $27 billion, as Australia imports significantly more vehicles than it exports. However, specialized areas like mining equipment vehicles generate over $400 million in export revenue annually.
The following are the biggest trading partners of Australia:
China is Australia’s largest and most important export destination. Australian exports to China were US$102.63 billion during 2024. Australia mainly exports iron ore, coal, natural gas (LNG), and gold to China, which are essential for China’s construction, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Agricultural exports such as barley, beef, wool, and wine also play an important role. Despite occasional trade tensions, China continues to rely heavily on Australian raw materials for their quality, scale, and reliability. China remains a key market driving Australia's mining, energy, and agricultural export growth.
Japan is one of Australia’s longest-standing and most stable export partners. Australian exports to Japan were US$30.62 billion during 2024. The trade relationship is heavily focused on energy and raw materials. Australia supplies Japan with large volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal, and iron ore, supporting Japan’s energy security and industrial production. In addition to minerals, Australia exports beef, wheat, and other food products to meet Japan’s demand for high-quality imports. This relationship is supported by strong trade agreements and decades of cooperation, making Japan a reliable and consistent destination for Australian exports.
South Korea is a major export destination for Australia’s energy and mineral resources. Australian exports to South Korea are dominated by coal, liquefied natural gas (LNG), iron ore, and aluminum. These resources are critical for South Korea’s power generation, steel manufacturing, and industrial sectors. Australia also exports agricultural products such as beef and wheat to the Korean market. The strong demand for reliable energy supplies has strengthened trade ties between the two countries, positioning Australia as a trusted supplier of essential raw materials.
The United States is a key trade partner for Australia, exporting AUD 2.28B to the United States in 2025. With a strong focus on two-way trade. Australia exports gold, beef, wine, medical products, and professional services to the USA market. Services exports, including education, tourism, and financial services, play a significant role in Australia’s trade with the United States. While the trade relationship is diversified rather than resource-heavy, it is highly valuable due to strong economic ties, advanced industries, and long-term cooperation in technology, defense, and innovation-related exports.
India is an increasingly important export market for Australia, driven by rapid economic growth and rising energy needs. Australia exports large volumes of coal to India, supporting electricity generation and industrial development. Agricultural products such as lentils, wool, and edible oils are also key exports. In addition, education services represent a growing export sector, with many Indian students choosing Australia for higher education. As trade ties strengthen, India is expected to become an even more significant destination for Australian energy, food, and service exports.
ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand, represent a growing export market for Australia. Australian exports to this region include coal, LNG, iron ore, agricultural products, and education services. Indonesia and Vietnam import energy and food products, while Singapore serves as a major hub for refined fuels, services, and high-value trade. Strong regional agreements and geographic proximity support increasing trade volumes. ASEAN markets are important for Australia’s export diversification strategy, offering long-term growth opportunities beyond traditional partners.
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are friendly arrangements between nations that help increase international trade harmony by reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. Australia also has trade agreements with several target countries, such as:
China-Australia FTA
Japan-Australia EPA
Australia-US FTA
RCEP
When it comes to the emerging export market and opportunities, we have seen trade between Australia and Southeast Asia grow. Many countries are in the development phase, including Thailand, Singapore, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others, in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, green technology, and other sectors, making them a dream and versatile destination for Australian products.
Globally, people are opting for more energy-efficient options for daily use, such as electric cars, bikes, solar panels, and renewable energy sources. Australia has always been self-sufficient in the production of coal and other energy sources. This shift in trends and people’s preferences has increased demand for resources from Australia, making it an emerging market. Businesses are seeking real-time information and trade data through platforms such as TradeYao to invest in Australia, one of the most lucrative markets in the world.
Australia is one of the largest exporters of iron, coal, gold, and agricultural products to the global market. In this blog, we have discussed insights into Australia's key exports and how it has always been a leading player, with diversification in its trade partners globally. The Australian region is abundant in natural resources, such as coal, natural gas, and crude oil, making it one of the best destinations for business. We mentioned Australia's top trading partners while discussing the top exported products globally.
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