Australia produced 157 tonnes in the six tonnes to June 30, 4t higher than China.

The federal government's Office of the Chief Economist has forecast that Australia will become the world's largest gold producer.

"We shall have to see what happens to gold production in the next six months, both in Australia and in China," Surbiton director Dr Sandra Close said.

"It was reported that Chinese gold output was adversely affected by work accidents including deaths, with shut-downs resulting while investigations took place."

China has been the world's largest gold producer since 2007, with Australia sitting in second, after both overtook South Africa.

Australia's June quarter gold production rose by 12%, or 9t, to 83t.

For the 2021 financial year, production fell 2% from FY20's record 328t to 321t.

Close noted FY21's production was worth roughly A$26 billion at the current gold price of about $2500 an ounce.

While production at Newcrest Mining's Cadia operation in New South Wales dropped in FY21, it remained Australia's largest gold producer with output of 764,895 ounces.

Newmont Corporation's Boddington operation in Western Australia remained the second-largest mine with production of 700,000oz.

Despite weaker guidance set for calendar year 2021, Kirkland Lake Gold's Fosterville mine in Victoria remained in third place, producing 592,178oz of gold.

Production at Newmont's Tanami in the Northern Territory was steady at 481,000oz, keeping it in fourth place, though second half production is expected to be impacted by 40,000-50,000oz after a COVID-19 outbreak caused a shutdown in July.

Northern Star Resources' Super Pit operation in WA snuck into the top five with FY21 production of 478,439oz.

It displaced AngloGold Ashanti and Regis Resources' Tropicana operation in WA, where production is forecast to be lower due to an investment year.

Capricorn Metals' newly commissioned Karlawinda mine in WA should help increase December half production.