Infrastructure
Australia—an attractive place to invest
With more than a decade of strong growth, a large and diverse economy, a stable and flexible business environment and a growing dynamic population, Australia offers an attractive location with significant infrastructure opportunities.
Australia’s Infrastructure Market
Australia’s infrastructure construction market has experienced unprecedented growth over the last ten years. This has been driven by the resources and mining boom, economic stimulus spending by the Australian Government and reconstruction work associated with devastating floods in Australia’s eastern states in 2010 and 2011.
Key business forecasters predict growth in infrastructure construction and other private infrastructure financing opportunities over the next decade, which is underpinned by:
- the next phase of the resources boom—stimulating strong demand for supporting infrastructure
- sustained population growth, continued urbanisation, rapid growth in demand for freight and passenger transport
- the need for energy and water security.
A sophisticated market for PPPs
Australia is a world leader in successfully using the Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) model to deliver major infrastructure projects, ranging from toll roads to hospitals. The use of PPPs by all levels of governments is expected to continue to grow strongly, providing valuable opportunities for private sector investors to become involved in major infrastructure initiatives.
Investment Opportunities
Australia as a nation, and through its various levels of government, welcomes foreign investment and is looking to overseas firms to help finance, develop and reap the rewards from a substantial pipeline of infrastructure projects.
The continued demand and growth of infrastructure needs in Australia creates opportunities for companies in the areas of:
- financing the country’s burgeoning infrastructure requirements
- increasing the level of competition in the construction sector
- new technologies, skills and innovations
- meeting emerging skill shortages generated by resource sector demands
Opportunities exist to apply state-of-the-art technologies and construction expertise to new projects as well as upgrades of existing infrastructure and to invest at all stages of the asset life, from start-up or at a later stage in the asset life.
Different forms of procurement methods for infrastructure projects include direct and indirect options for the private sector to finance infrastructure. Opportunities are also likely to emerge in privatisation of government owned assets.
The National Infrastructure Construction Schedule
The National Infrastructure Construction Schedule is an initiative of the Australian Government that brings together information on major infrastructure projects generally over AUD $50 million on one unique website www.nics.gov.au.
For the first time, constructors, investors, governments and the public can view the pipeline of upcoming infrastructure projects where governments have committed to fund construction in a single time line.
Useful links
Australian Government
Industry Associations