AECR 2026 Australia’s Energy Commodity Resources 2026
Australia has a strong and diverse mix of energy resources that contribute to the nation’s energy security and prosperity and support the transition to net zero.
Australia is a key energy commodity producer and leading energy exporter.
Australia’s conventional liquid hydrocarbon resources include crude oil, condensate and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Australia’s coal resources are world class in volume and quality, with vast resources of both black and brown coal.
Australia has a major share of the world’s uranium and thorium resources.
Australia has extensive world-class energy resources that can support the development of a clean hydrogen industry and assist with decarbonising Australia’s economy.
Carbon capture and storage is one of the technologies that can help to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.
Geothermal energy is an emerging industry in Australia, with a resurgence of interest in exploration across the country.
Minister's Foreword
The 2026 edition of Australia’s Energy Commodity Resources (AECR) underlines Australia’s role as a reliable, sustainable and global supplier of energy.
This edition of the AECR delivers a comprehensive assessment of the nation’s energy commodity resources as well as emerging low carbon energy resources, including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and hydrogen.
The $3.4 billion Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative, led by Geoscience Australia, is essential to this work, supporting new discoveries and driving long-term economic growth. Under the landmark initiative, Geoscience Australia is mapping our natural resources, including carbon storage, renewable energy, groundwater and minerals, to ensure the continued strength of Australia’s resources sector.
The 2026 AECR shows Australia is well-positioned across energy resources, production and exports. Australia is continuing development of CCS and hydrogen projects and remains a critical source of gas security in the Asia Pacific region.
We know that Australia’s energy resources, including natural gas, will continue to play an important role in firming renewable energy, supporting high-heat manufacturing and critical minerals processing. Australia’s energy exports are vital for the continued energy security of our regional partners as Australia and the world moves toward net zero emissions by 2050.
Key highlights for the 2024 calendar year include:
- Australia exports about eight times more energy than it imports and remains among the top global suppliers of LNG, uranium and coal.
- Australia’s energy resources, including coal and gas, contribute substantially to the nation’s gross domestic product and export earnings. In 2023–24, Australia earned $180 billion from energy exports, representing around 27% of our total export earnings, making energy exports the foundation of the national economy.
- In 2024, Australia had 24 major energy projects at the committed stage, valued at more than $42 billion.
- Private sector expenditure on energy exploration continued to grow, totalling $1.81 billion in 2024, an increase of 25% on 2023 ($1.45 billion).
- Decarbonisation‑enabling resources including Carbon Capture and Storage and hydrogen are advancing towards deployment, positioning Australia to support domestic emissions reduction and regional energy transition needs.
- Australia has the world’s largest reserves of uranium and accounts for around 8% of global production.
In addition, Australia’s role in CCS is growing with substantial geological storage potential, ongoing regulatory development, active offshore exploration, 2 projects in operation and 17 in development.
I commend Geoscience Australia for continuing this important work.
The Hon Madeleine King MP
Minister for Resources & Minister for Northern Australia.
Member for Brand
Contact Details
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia: the Hon Madeleine King MP
Secretary: Julia Pickworth
Geoscience Australia
Chief Executive Officer: Melissa Harris PSM
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eCat ID: 151067
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to acknowledge contributions from the following Geoscience Australia staff:
Ryan Owens, Andrew Cross, Dianne Edwards, Andrew Feitz, Alanah Hughes, Aleks Kalinowski, Craig Munns, Claire Patterson, Stephanie Rees, Bailey Clarke, Darwun Chau, Heather Colclough, Pip Martens, Silvio Mezzomo, Katherine Nayar, Nicholas Ryan, Daniel Rawson, Clarissa Thorpe, Kristina Anastasi.
The National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) is also acknowledged for providing basin aggregated offshore oil and gas resources and production data for year-end 2024.
Bibliographical reference: Geoscience Australia, 2026. Australia’s Energy Commodity Resources, 2026 Edition. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/151067. Digital publication: http://www.ga.gov.au/aecr2026