Australia's nominal resources and energy export revenue is forecast to increase from $403 billion in 2025-26 to $422 billion in 2026-27, according to the September Resources and Energy Quarterly.
The new estimate is $6 billion higher than the forecast published in June. The report also warns that the outlook is unusually uncertain because conflict in the Middle East continues to affect energy trade, shipping routes and damaged facilities.
Iron ore is expected to remain Australia's largest export by volume, although greater global supply and weaker steel demand could pressure prices. Gold revenue is forecast to ease after reaching a peak of $70 billion in the last financial year.
Lithium export earnings are projected to rise from $10 billion in 2025-26 to $17 billion in 2026-27, while lower-volume critical minerals are forecast to grow from $5.5 billion to $8 billion by 2030-31.
Source: Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Image disclosure: This is an AI-generated conceptual editorial illustration. It is not a photograph of a specific mine, port, company or shipment.
