Business confidence fell into negative territory in August to minus 8 points from plus 2 in July, the lowest level since 2009, according to the National Australia Bank monthly business survey.

The rating indicates wariness of businesses to the impact of global influences, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted NAB chief economist Alan Oster as saying. Australian businesses are particularly concerned on Europe's debt crises and poor economic indicators in the U.S., the survey noted.

"The recent run of softer local economic data and the uncertain future path for domestic interest rates are also likely to have influenced the weaker confidence outcome in the month," NAB economist Alexandra Knight said, according to Smartcompany.com.

The 10-point dip in confidence was felt in all industry, except recreation and personal services and construction. The finance, business and property sectors had the lowest confidence.

By state, Western Australia's confidence index remained unchanged at 6. Tasmania registered the biggest fall of 23 points to minus 35 while it was 13 points lower in South Australia at minus 18. New South Wales was minus 11, 12 points down from July.

Meanwhile, business conditions dipped 2 points to minus 3. The condition improved in Tasmania by 5 points to minus 18. South Australia's condition fell 20 points to minus 6.

Manufacturing, retail, wholesale and construction conditions were weak due to job cuts while mining and the service sectors remained strong, Knight said.

In the other aspects of the survey, labour cost rose 1.4 percent, the highest in the transport and utilities with 2.3 percent and in mining with 2 percent.

Price inflation increased 0.4 percent with retail prices rising 0.2 percent.

Employment condition in construction was down 10 points. So was in mining, 4 points, and manufacturing, 1 point. Employment conditions improved in the transport and utilities.

The August survey's growth rate projection remained at 1.9 percent for the year and 4.1 percent in 2011. Inflation is predicted to exceed 3 percent in 2013.