The value of exports has continued to grow across most states despite the impact of the global downturn, new data shows.
Tasmania and South Australia were the only jurisdictions not to record increases in 2008/09, a breakdown of the nation's trade figures shows.
Nationally, exports jumped by more than 22 per cent to $283.8 billion in 2008/09, compared with the previous financial year.
Western Australia led the way with exports rising more than 24 per cent on the back of high prices for iron ore and gold.
Queensland had the largest increase, 48.3 per cent, due to coal prices and beef exports, which saw it overtake NSW as the second-largest exporter.
Declining car sales in South Australia saw exports fall by 6.4 per cent, while a drop in zinc and aluminium sales resulted in a 4.3 per cent decrease in Tasmania's rate.
Federal Trade Minister Simon Crean says the strong performance can be attributed to a number of factors.
"Strong commodity prices, demand from China and Australia's diversified trade base were factors in the resilient performance of exporters in the face of the global economic crisis," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the government has used last week's jobs and housing figures to spruik its efforts to divert the impact of the financial crisis.
The jobless rate fell from 5.6 per cent to 5.5 per cent in December, while November's housing finance was 25 per cent higher than November 2008.
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says the figures are a reminder of how Australia has outperformed other advanced economies during the crisis.
"One of the key reasons behind the unemployment result is the pipeline of activity being provided by our stimulus investment," Mr Swan said in his second economic note for 2010.
He stated again that the government had no plans to halt its stimulus spending, as suggested by the federal opposition.
"Our fiscal stimulus will continue to carefully wind down as private demand recovers, subtracting from growth throughout 2010.
"(But) to pull the plug overnight would hurt consumer and business confidence, push unemployment higher and hit small business for six."
The government will also push ahead with its emissions trading bill when parliament resumes to offer business further certainty, he said.
"Businesses have been crying out for investment certainty so they can invest in the low-pollution technologies and jobs of the future.
"That's why we'll be re-introducing the legislation."
The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme bill has twice been voted down by the Senate, handing the government an early election trigger.
