CommSec State and Territory Economic Performance Report shows encouraging signs for NT
The Northern Territory is showing encouraging signs of economic improvement in the latest CommSec State and Territory Economic Performance Report recording the fastest annual economic growth in the nation over the past year. See the other data.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Northern Territory is showing encouraging signs of economic improvement in the latest CommSec State and Territory Economic Performance Report recording the fastest annual economic growth in the nation — 10.2 per cent over the year.
Next best is the ACT (up 3.6 per cent), South Australia (up 3.10 per cent), NSW (up 3.09 per cent) and Victoria (up 2.3 per cent).
Accounting for the eight annual indicators taken into account by CommSec, Western Australia remains first placed, also now ahead of South Australia in second and the Northern Territory is in third ahead of powerhouses Queensland. NSW and Victoria.
Each quarter CommSec attempts to find out which state or territory is Australia’s economic leader. While the CommSec report has the Territory in eighth over a 10 year average, the July 2025 report includes a section comparing annual growth rates for the eight key indicators across the states and territories as well as Australia as a whole, enabling comparisons in terms of year-on-year economic momentum.
The CommSec report found that as well as having the fastest annual economic growth, the Northern Territory leads the nation on annual growth in construction. It was the strongest performer, up 5.5 per cent, ahead of Western Australia (up 4.8 per cent), NSW (up 3.3 per cent), South Australia (up 3.1 per cent) and Queensland (up 2.6 per cent).
The Northern Territory replaced high-flying Western Australia in top spot for annual home lending. Lending in the Northern Territory is now up 30.1 per cent, followed by Queensland (up 19.9 per cent).
In conjunction with this the Territory is second in the nation for dwelling starts in terms of annual changes. Western Australia rose by 42.9 per cent, followed by the Northern Territory up 42.4 per cent). Next best was South Australia (up 31.0 per cent).
Territory homeowners will also be pleased to learn that the annual growth in home prices in the Territory has jumped 6.0 per cent. The fourth biggest increase in the nation.
Annual growth in real retail trade has the Northern Territory up 0.6 per cent, marginally behind Queensland, which was up 0.8 per cent and South Australia up 0.9 per cent.
Western Australia was the strongest up 2.9 per cent.
While South Australia had the strongest annual jobs growth of 3.8 per cent, the Territory did record a jump of 1.26 per cent, behind NSW (1.7 per cent) and the ACT 1.32 per cent). The lowest jobs growth was Tasmania at 0.9 per cent.
The state with the fastest absolute annual population growth is Western Australia, which has a flourishing resource sector (up 2.39 per cent). Next strongest is Victoria (up 1.93 per cent), followed by Queensland (up 1.86 per cent).
The Northern Territory is among the middle of the pack with an increase of 1.21 per cent.
The biggest weakness for the Territory is the annual new equipment investment. The Northern Territory was 26.4 per cent lower than a year ago in the March quarter 2025, behind the ACT (down 8.1 per cent), Queensland (down 5.4 per cent) and Victoria (down 5.1 per cent).
CommSec says focusing just on annual growth rates, on an aggregate basis (looking across all indicators), the commodities and tourism focused state of Western Australia continues to outperform the rest of the nation, ranking first on four of the eight key economic indicators. Population growth is particularly strong.
“South Australia is the big improver, jumping to second from fourth spot, supported by a pick-up in consumer spending, business investment and dwelling investment,” CommSec said.
“The Northern Territory lifts from fifth to third due to robust growth in business investment and construction activity. Queensland slips to fourth.”
More Coverage
Originally published as CommSec State and Territory Economic Performance Report shows encouraging signs for NT
Called off: Tragic update to US sailor missing in Timor Sea
After two days of scanning the open water for one of their own, the US Navy has given a sad update.
Blood on the footpath: Attacker at large after man glassed at Top End park
A man is on the run after attacking another at a Top End park, with a bloodied footpath near a childcare centre forming part of the police crime scene. SEE THE PHOTOS.
Crime scene: Attacker at large after Palmeston glassing
Police are urging motorists to avoid a Palmerston street after a man was glassed at a park.
Meet Darwin’s 22yo council hopeful pushing for rates, roads reform
He might be one of the youngest candidates running in next month’s local government elections, but Patrik Ralph doesn’t see that as a weakness. Find out what the young Darwin council hopeful stands for.
‘World class’ education: NT’s top private schools revealed
The principal of the Territory’s top private school credits his community’s “world class” vision for making the top spot. See the other NT schools ranked in the top 100 nationwide.
Australia’s Top 100 Schools – the ultimate education power list
This is the first definitive list of the nation’s 100 best private schools – based on data, not opinions and reputation. So which schools offer the best education money can buy?