Australia’s natural resources span iron ore, coal and natural gas, the base of its exports. Its coal output reached 550 million tonnes in 2024 (fifth in the world), it produced 398,000 barrels of oil a day, and it ranks seventh worldwide in natural gas. Which natural resources in Australia stand out most, and where do they sit in the global rankings?
Australia is a country of vast territorial extent with a great diversity of natural resources. Its geography includes a wide variety of ecosystems, from tropical forests to deserts and coral reefs. Its biodiversity is also unique, with a great many endemic species.
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In economic terms, Australia is a major exporter of natural resources such as iron ore, coal and natural gas. Managing and conserving Australia’s natural resources is essential to maintaining its biodiversity and a sustainable economy.
Which natural resources stand out in Australia, and where do they rank in the world? What is the country’s natural wealth? Which mineral resources are available, and how does it sit in the global rankings? How diverse are the birds, reptiles, mammals, fish, amphibians and plants in Australia? How is land used, and how is biodiversity protected in Australia?
Key fact: Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials or energy sources provided by or found on Earth that are useful to humans. Every product we manufacture is made up of natural resources.
- Renewable natural resources: these can be restored by natural processes faster than the rate at which they are consumed. Examples include solar radiation, wind, hydroelectric power, water when used properly, and plant and animal life.
- Non-renewable natural resources: once extracted, these are depleted and cannot regenerate. Examples include hydrocarbons, metals and minerals.
Examples of Australia’s main natural resources
Australia in figures: environmental indicators
The most recent official figures available on Australia’s environmental condition.
| Forest cover | 17,4 % of the territory2023 |
|---|---|
| Protected land area | 22,0 % of the territory2025 |
| Annual change in forest area | stable (2018–2023) |
| Renewable fresh water per capita | 18,909 m³ per year2022 |
| Threatened species | 1.115 mammals, birds, fish and plants2022 |
| Agricultural area | 47,2 % of the territory2023 |
| Resource | Reserves / Production | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | 398,000 barrels/day (2024); 32nd worldwide | EIA 2024 |
| Natural gas | 147,200 million ft³/year; 7th worldwide | EIA |
| Coal | 550 million t (2024); 5th worldwide | EIA |
| Aluminum | 1,580 thousand t (2019); 6th worldwide | USGS 2019 |
| Coal reserves | 159,634 million t (2016); 14% of world total | EIA |
Oil and gas resources in Australia
Australia produced 398,000 barrels of oil per day in 2024 according to the EIA, placing it 32nd in the world ranking for oil production. It also holds oil reserves of 1,193,000,000 barrels as of 2022, placing it thirty-second in the global ranking of oil reserves.
Although Australia is not known as one of the world’s principal oil-producing regions, its natural resources have given the country a significant presence in the global oil industry.
Australia has abundant natural gas resources, giving it annual output of 147,200 million cubic feet. The country sits seventh (7th) in the world ranking of natural gas producers. These natural resources are an important source of income for the Australian economy.
Examples of Australia’s mineral resources
Australia is one of the world’s leading producers of coal worldwide. In 2024 its output reached 550 million tonnes, placing it fifth in the global coal production ranking. It also holds a great volume of coal reserves, totaling 159,634,329,600 tonnes as of 2016, or 14.00% of the world’s reserves of this resource. The main coal-producing region in Australia is the Bowen Basin, in the state of Queensland.
In 2019, production of aluminum in Australia reached 1,580 thousand tonnes, placing it sixth in the global production ranking for this resource. The main aluminum-producing region in Australia is Queensland, home to most of its bauxite mines, the raw material for aluminum production. The aluminum industry is one of Australia’s most important, generating jobs and contributing significantly to the economy.
In 2024, production of copper in Australia reached approximately 800,000 tonnes, keeping it among the world’s leading producers (USGS MCS 2025). The main copper-producing region in Australia is Mount Isa, in the state of Queensland. That region is known for its large deposits of copper, lead, zinc and silver, making it one of the country’s most important mining areas.
In 2024, production of iron ore ore in Australia reached 976 million tonnes, keeping it first in the world ranking and supplying 36.8% of global production (USGS MCS 2025). The main iron-ore-producing region in Australia is the Pilbara, in the state of Western Australia, home to some of the largest iron ore mines in the world.
In 2024, production of silver in Australia reached 1,000 tonnes, placing it ninth in the global production ranking for this resource (USGS MCS 2025). The main silver-producing region in Australia is Broken Hill, in the state of New South Wales. That region is known for its silver, lead and zinc deposits, and has been an important source of mineral resources since the late nineteenth century.
Australia is the world’s tenth-largest producer of platinum with output of 170 kilograms in 2019; the metal is obtained mainly as a by-product of nickel mining in Western Australia.
Australia is the third-largest producer of gold in the world, with output of 284 tonnes in 2024, behind China (380 t) and Russia (330 t) (USGS MCS 2025). The country holds gold reserves of 9,800 tonnes. Its main mine is the Super Pit, at Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
Australia is also the largest lithium producer in the world, a mineral critical to electric-vehicle batteries; its main deposits are in Western Australia, such as the Greenbushes mine (USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025).
Water resources of Australia
Australia held a freshwater reserve of 492 km³ as of 2020, placing it eighteenth (18th) in the global ranking of water reserves. The country has a great many rivers and lakes, the main ones being the Murray and Darling rivers, along with Lake Eyre, the largest lake in Australia.
These water resources are of great importance to agriculture and industry, as well as to human consumption and the conservation of biodiversity.
Average rainfall and soils of Australia
Australia has average annual rainfall of 534 mm, placing it one hundred and twenty-second (122nd) worldwide for precipitation. Because of the country’s low humidity, its soils are mostly arid and semi-arid, with vegetation adapted to those conditions.
Renewable electricity and hydropower production in Australia
Australia produces 229,782 GWh of renewable electricity, of which 16,128 GWh comes from hydropower. The country’s main hydroelectric plant is the Snowy Mountains scheme, in New South Wales, with installed capacity of 4,100 MW — considered one of the largest hydroelectric schemes in the world.
Forest resources of Australia
Australia has a substantial forest area, representing 17.42% of its land area, equivalent to 1,340,051 km² (figure current to 2023, World Bank). This natural resource is of great importance to the country’s economy and environment, its main forest region being Tasmania. In the world ranking for forest area, Australia sits around sixth.
Environmental performance and protection of Australia’s natural resources
The country has an Environmental Performance Index (EPI 2024) score of 63.1 and ranks 22nd of 180 countries. Protected land and marine areas account for 32.12% of total territorial area. To learn more, visit the Environmental Performance Index 2024 (Yale).
Natural parks of Australia: the hidden wealth of natural resources
Biodiversity: animal and plant resources of Australia
Birds of Australia
Australia is a country of great bird diversity, with a total of 723 species as of 2018, placing it 33rd worldwide for number of bird species.
It also has 359 endemic species, found nowhere else. It is worth noting, however, that 52 bird species are endangered, so protecting this valuable natural resource is essential.
Among Australia’s most emblematic birds is the emu, a flightless species that is the country’s flagship bird.
Fish and amphibians of Australia
The wealth of amphibians and fish stands out among Australian natural resources. For amphibians, it has 245 species, placing it 15th worldwide for number of amphibian species.
For fish, Australia is the country with the most fish species in the world, with a total of 4,934. It also has 125 threatened fish species. The Australian green tree frog and the clownfish stand out as flagship amphibian and fish species respectively.
Mammals of Australia
Australia is a country of great mammal diversity, with a total of 349 species as of 2016. Of those, however, 63 are threatened, a concern for conserving the country’s biodiversity.
Even so, Australia ranks thirteenth worldwide for number of mammal species. It also has 255 endemic mammal species, placing it second worldwide for this natural resource. Among Australia’s endemic mammals, the kangaroo stands out as one of the country’s most emblematic animals.
Reptiles of Australia
Australia is the country with the most reptile species in the world, with a total of 1,078. This natural resource is of great importance to the country’s biodiversity, its flagship species being the blue-tongued lizard. With its leading position in the world ranking for reptile species, Australia stands out as a unique and valuable place for researching and conserving these fascinating creatures.
Plants of Australia
Australia has great vascular plant diversity, with a total of 19,324 species recorded in 2020, placing it seventh worldwide for number of species. Among the most notable is the acacia, an emblematic plant found across much of the country.
Organizations that protect or study Australia’s natural resources
- Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: the government body responsible for protecting and conserving the environment and natural resources.
- Australian Conservation Foundation: NGO working to protect Australia’s wildlife and ecosystems.
- Bush Heritage Australia: NGO dedicated to biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.
- Greenpeace Australia: NGO campaigning against climate change and promoting the conservation of natural resources.
- World Wildlife Fund Australia: NGO working to protect wildlife and natural habitats in Australia.
- The Nature Conservancy Australia: NGO focused on conserving land and water in Australia.
- Australian Marine Conservation Society: NGO dedicated to protecting and conserving the oceans and marine life in Australia.
Australia is the largest mining power in the southern hemisphere: it leads world iron ore production and supplies close to a third of global exports, according to the USGS, 2025. Added to that strength are its lead in lithium and a biodiversity of extreme endemism.
Iron ore: the world’s leading producer
The country is the world’s largest iron ore producer and, together with Brazil, dominates seaborne trade with around a third of exports each. Its reserves reach 23 billion tonnes of crude ore, containing 10 billion tonnes of iron, according to the USGS, 2025.
Lithium and other strategic minerals
Australia leads world lithium extraction with some 88,000 tonnes in 2024, ahead of Chile and China; between them the three account for more than 85% of global mine production. Its reserves come to 5.1 million tonnes, according to the USGS, 2025. It is also the second-largest bauxite producer, at some 100 million tonnes.
Unique biodiversity and endemism
It is one of the planet’s 17 megadiverse countries, and more than 80% of its mammals are endemic, including most of the world’s marsupials, according to the Australian Museum, 2024. Off its coast lies the Great Barrier Reef, the largest reef system in the world with more than 2,900 reefs, a World Heritage Site since 1981, according to UNESCO, 1981.
Environmental performance
On Yale’s Environmental Performance Index, Australia ranked 23rd with 63.1 points, according to the Yale EPI, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is Australia’s most important natural resource? Iron ore: it is the world’s largest producer and accounts for close to a third of global exports, according to the USGS, 2025.
Is Australia the world’s leading lithium producer? Yes, with some 88,000 tonnes in 2024 it leads global lithium mine production, according to the USGS, 2025.
Main sources
- Countries by mineral production – Wikipedia
- World iron ore production (2025) – USGS
- World lithium production (2025) – USGS
- Economic data by country – The Global Economy
- Forest area (km²) – World Bank
- Forest area as a percentage – World Bank
- Coal reserves – Worldometers
- Water and agriculture statistics – FAO
- Precipitation (mm) – World Bank
- Environmental Performance Index 2024 – Yale EPI
- Bird species by country – Mongabay
- Mammal species by country – Mongabay
- Reptile species by country – Mongabay
- Endemic mammal species by country – Our World in Data
Last updated: July 25, 2026
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