Coal Australia:
Forging the Future

The success and viability of our coal industry is essential in securing Australia's future prosperity.

Coal powers Australian prosperity.

World's Best

Australia's thermal and metallurgical coal is some of the highest quality in the world.

Source: Minerals Council of Australia

300,000

More than 300,000 people are employed in coal mining or in supporting industries.

The majority of coal mining and related jobs are in regional Australia, supporting local communities and businesses.

Source: Department of Industry, Science and Resources

46%

Coal generates 46% of Australia's electricity

Without our coal industry, Australia would not have reliable and affordable baseload electricity.

Source: International Energy Agency

Steel

Coal creates steel.

Coal is an essential mineral in the production of steel and steel is critical in building homes, hospitals, infrastructure, and even household appliances.

Source: Minerals Council of Australia

2nd

Coal is Australia's second largest export, after iron ore.

Australian coal is highly sought after by international customers and helps to power the industries and economies of our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

8.85bn metric tonnes

Global coal demand hit a record high in 2025, reaching approximately 8.85 billion metric tons.

Source: International Energy Agency

Why is coal important?

 

Australia's prosperity is directly linked to the success of our coal industry.

Coal provides Australia with reliable and affordable baseload electricity.

Coal is also a critical mineral in making steel, meaning it is essential to build homes and infrastructure.

In addition to its practical uses, coal is a significant contributor to Australia’s economy. Coal remains Australia’s second largest export, and contributed $99.3 billion to the national economy in 2022-23.

And coal supports regional communities, directly employing 42,500 Australians and supporting more than 300,000 more jobs.

Australians rely on coal, and they rely on the people and communities that sustain our coal industry.

Forging the Future.

Coal is an essential mineral in the production of steel, concrete, and aluminium - building materials we all rely on.

Powering Australia.

Coal remains the most affordable and reliable source of baseload power, providing 46% of Australia's electricity.

About our work

 

Coal Australia is working to educate Australians on the importance of a strong coal industry to Australia's economic prosperity.

Without coal we wouldn't have reliable electricity or steel to build the homes, buildings and infrastructure of the future – and that relies on the communities that sustain coal mining.

Sign up to show your support for our coal industry and the regional coal communities that Australia relies on.

Coal contributes

$99.3 billion

to Australia's economy

0

direct employees of the coal industry in Australia

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

$0bn

worth of coal exports from Australia

Source: Department of Industry, Science and Resources

0Mt

of metallurgical coal produced, much of which is used to create steel

Source: Department of Industry, Science and Resources

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