Western Australia has once again been crowned the nation’s top-performing economy, taking first place on the CommSec State of the States leaderboard for the fifth consecutive quarter. The state excelled in four of eight key economic indicators — household spending, housing finance, dwelling starts, and equipment spending — confirming its position as a national economic leader.

Queensland climbed to second place, fuelled by increased household spending and strong population growth, while South Australia slipped into third. The Northern Territory was this quarter’s standout performer, surging from eighth to fourth — its best result since 2016 — reflecting renewed economic momentum and a revitalised Greater Darwin property market.

Elsewhere, Victoria dropped to fifth, Tasmania fell to sixth, and New South Wales and the ACT rounded out the list at seventh and eighth respectively.

The report highlights a diverse economic landscape: Tasmania leads for employment growth, South Australia tops construction activity, and the Northern Territory ranks first for population growth. Meanwhile, Western Australia continues to benefit from strong export performance and resilient consumer demand.

Despite global uncertainty, experts predict ongoing growth through 2026, particularly in resource-rich regions such as Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory — all supported by high commodity demand and robust domestic investment.