Australia's trade surplus dipped by $643 million in August to $8.3 billion, statistics show.
It's the 56th consecutive monthly trade surplus but the second straight month of declines.
The trade surplus fell more sharply in July, from $17.5b to $9b, as imports recovered.
Both imports and exports were up in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said on Thursday..
Exports were up 2.6 per cent to $56.8b as thermal coal exports jumped 45.6 per cent.
Imports rose 4.5 per cent to $48.5b, driven by "fuel and lubricants".
