Lower over the period
Australia Coal Production moved from 503.7 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 455.8 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−9.5%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 505.6 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 440.1 Million Tonnes in 2022.
What Australia Coal Production shows
Australia Coal Production was 455.8 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 3.6% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset of Australia from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s coal mining industry, highlighting annual production volumes, output trends, and developments across the coal sector. Measured in million tonnes, the dataset represents the total quantity of coal produced from domestic mines each year.
A 13% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2022) is 65.50 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −7% in 2020.
Ranks 5 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, Australia ranks 5 for 2023, behind China (4,710 Million Tonnes) and India (1,011 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 5% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Australia Coal Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 455.8 | +3.6% |
| 2022 Trough | 440.1 | −4.4% |
| 2021 | 460.3 | −2.1% |
| 2020 | 470 | −7% |
| 2019Peak | 505.6 | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 502.2 | +3.1% |
| 2017 | 487.2 | −3% |
| 2016 | 502.1 | −0.3% |
| 2015 | 503.7 | — |
Regional context
How Australia compares in Asia-Pacific
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Australia is highlighted.
1China4,710
2India1,011
3Indonesia775.2
4Australia455.8
5Mongolia83.20
6Vietnam48.20
7Thailand12.80
8New Zealand2.60
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time.
The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
About this indicator
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
It serves as an important indicator of Australia’s mining industry, reflecting production capacity, export potential, resource utilization, and the continued significance of coal within the national economy.
Australia produced 503.7 million tonnes of coal in 2015, remaining relatively stable at 502.1 million tonnes in 2016 before declining to 487.2 million tonnes in 2017. Production recovered to 502.2 million tonnes in 2018 and 505.6 million tonnes in 2019, followed by declines to 470.0 million tonnes in 2020, 460.3 million tonnes in 2021, and 440.1 million tonnes in 2022. Output increased modestly to 455.8 million tonnes in 2023.
Overall, the dataset highlights generally stable coal production with moderate fluctuations throughout the assessment period. Temporary declines reflected operational challenges, changing market conditions, and pandemic-related disruptions, while the recovery in 2023 indicates improving production activity. Australia continues to rank among the world’s leading coal producers and exporters, with coal remaining an important contributor to economic activity and international trade.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Australia’s coal production outlook, analyzing mining industry performance, and assessing long-term developments in global coal markets. It supports market research, investment planning, policy development, and strategic analysis while providing valuable insights for researchers, mining companies, government agencies, and industry stakeholders monitoring production trends, export capacity, and the continuing importance of coal within Australia’s resource sector.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Country
- Australia
- Region
- Asia-Pacific
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Australia Coal Production?
Definition- Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
What was Australia Coal Production in 2023?
Australia Coal Production was 455.8 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 3.6% on 2022.
How has Australia Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Australia Coal Production moved from 503.7 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 455.8 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−9.5%), an average of −1.2% a year. The series high was 505.6 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 440.1 Million Tonnes in 2022.
Which year had the highest and lowest Australia Coal Production?
The highest value was 505.6 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 440.1 Million Tonnes in 2022.
What does the Australia Coal Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Where does the Australia Coal Production data come from?
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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