Gold helped shape modern Australia, with discoveries at Bathurst, Ballarat, Bendigo and Kalgoorlie contributing to one of the nation’s first major economic booms.
Today, Australia’s gold industry continues to support prosperity and strong local communities through exports, regional employment, innovation and investment.
Australia’s gold exports are estimated to be $68.4 billion in revenue in 2025-26.
Gold is used for everything from smart phones to jewelry and medical advancements.
Gold exploration expenditure was $1.31 billion in 2024-25.
Gold has been valued for thousands of years for its beauty, rarity and enduring value.
Today, gold is used in jewellery across the world, held by central banks as a reserve asset, and purchased by investors through physical bullion, coins, bars and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
These traditional uses continue to underpin global demand and reinforce gold’s role as one of the world’s most recognised stores of wealth.
As populations grow, incomes rise and economies evolve, demand for gold continues to be supported by both its cultural significance and its financial role in portfolios, institutions and national reserves.
At the same time, new industrial applications are creating additional sources of demand and expanding gold’s importance in the global economy.
Gold is a critical input to advanced electronics and emerging technologies.
Its exceptional conductivity and resistance to corrosion make it vital to smartphones, computers, telecommunications systems and semiconductor components.
New applications are emerging in quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy technologies, aerospace engineering and advanced medicine, where gold’s unique physical and chemical properties enable innovations that would not otherwise be possible.
Gold exploration expenditure was $1.31 billion in 2024-25.
Exploration is the foundation of Australia’s future gold industry.
Every operating mine began as an exploration project, yet only a small fraction of exploration targets ultimately become producing mines. Continued investment in exploration helps discover new resources, supports regional jobs and ensures Australia remains a leading global supplier of gold.
Gold attracts more exploration investment than any other commodity in Australia. The geological knowledge, drilling and discovery generated through gold exploration frequently contributes to the identification of critical minerals and other strategic resources, supporting Australia’s role in supplying the materials needed for the technologies, energy systems and industries of the future.
Australia is home to the world’s largest known gold resources and remains one of the world’s leading gold producers. Holding around one-fifth of global gold resources, Australia is uniquely positioned to meet growing demand for gold in technology, investment and industrial applications.
Gold is mined in every mainland state and the Northern Territory and contributes significantly to exports, regional employment and economic growth. This makes gold one of Australia’s most valuable mineral exports. Australia’s extensive resource base positions the country to meet growing global demand for responsibly produced gold.
Australia is not only a leading gold producer but also an important global gold refiner. Gold refining transforms mined ore into high-purity bullion and precious metal products used by investors, manufacturers and global markets. Australia’s refining sector adds value to locally mined gold, supports skilled jobs and strengthens Australia’s position in global precious metals supply chains.
The Perth Mint and ABC Refinery process gold from Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region, helping ensure Australia remains a world-class gold industry.
Gold has become one of Australia’s most important mineral exports and export earners. Strong international demand, combined with Australia’s world-leading resource base, has increased gold’s contribution to the national economy. As new industrial and technological applications emerge, gold is expected to remain a strategically important Australian export into the future
Gold’s low reactivity makes it safe for use in the human body – for example to coat pacemakers and stents. Gold compounds are also showing promise as a new class of antibiotic in early-phase clinical studies, meaning gold-containing drugs could form part of our defence against infection.
Gold nanoparticle technology is being used to treat cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Global clinical trials confirm that the use of nanoparticle technology improved the quality of life for patients and decreased the risk of damaging healthy cells in the treatment process, particularly for prostate and breast cancer patients.
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