Australia's greenhouse gas emissions continued to rise in the June quarter, ending the financial year at their highest level since mid-2011, government figures show.

Total emissions in the economy at the end of June were the equivalent of 533.7 million tonnes, up 3.4 million tonnes from a year earlier, according to the latest quarterly report. Compared with the March quarter, emissions fell 3 million tonnes, halving the annual growth rate from 1.3 per cent to 0.6 per cent.

The electricity sector is one of two sectors of the Australian economy to show a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the year to June 2018. Credit:Paul Jones

The electricity sector remains the largest contributor of greenhouse gases but its tally continues to shrink after the closure of coal-fired power plants and the rising share of renewables.

The industry's pollution totalled 182.4 million tonnes for the year to June, down 5.2 million tonnes or 2.8 per cent. Electricity generation emissions are down almost one-seventh since peaking in 2009.