Our plan for a stronger future will help build Australia and strengthen our regions

Investing in our strong and growing regions

Delivering infrastructure

Building on investments in regional connectivity

Improving water security

Building disaster resilience

Transport infrastructure for our regions

Building the infrastructure our regions need to grow

The Government is committing an additional $678.0 million to seal a further 1,000km of roads on the Outback Way, a 2,720km route that links Laverton in Western Australia with Winton in Queensland via Alice Springs.

This additional investment builds on the $330.0 million the Government has invested in the Outback Way since 2013 and will support over 2,000 jobs across Northern Australia.

This Budget also provides an additional $880.0 million for Roads of Strategic Importance, $385.4 million for the Northern Australia Roads Program and $150.0 million for the Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program.

These programs will upgrade essential roads and community infrastructure in regional communities, helping to drive the growth of regional Australia.

Flood response

Immediate assistance and supporting the recovery

In response to the recent floods in parts of Queensland and New South Wales the Government is providing support to households, businesses, primary producers, not-for-profit organisations and councils. This is helping affected communities get back on their feet.

Targeted assistance is being provided to communities in the Northern Rivers region, recognising the catastrophic impacts on that region. Support includes additional payments to households, support for temporary accommodation and grants to businesses to recover and rebuild.

The Government expects to spend more than $6 billion on disaster relief and recovery as a result of these floods. This includes new measures as well as reimbursing the states for a share of their costs such as the reconstruction of essential public assets (like roads and schools).

Building disaster resilience

Promoting climate resilience to secure the future of all Australians

The Government is helping secure the future of all Australians by increasing our ability to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy sets out the pathway to build Australia's resilience to disasters and other long-term changes to Australia's climate.

The Government will regularly assess potential climate impacts to build a shared understanding of the opportunities and priorities for action. This will ensure communities and businesses have a better understanding of climate risks, enabling them to make informed choices to adapt.

Recovery and resilience for the future

The Government has invested $1.3 billion since the 2021-22 Budget to implement recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. This funding will help Australia to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters in the future.

Enhanced climate information

Access to data is critical to successful resilience planning and preparation. $3.0 million will ensure the Bureau of Meteorology's Flood Warning Observations Network is dependable and accurate in high risk areas.

World class climate science

The Government established the Australian Climate Service in 2021 to bring together Australia's world leading scientists to provide climate and disaster intelligence for the future. This $210.0 million investment will support emergency management and improve adaptation capabilities to build a more resilient Australia.

Improving insurance affordability for northern Australia

The Government is implementing a cyclone and related flood damage reinsurance pool from 1 July 2022, backed by a $10.0 billion Government guarantee. The pool will promote resilience by offering discounts for properties that have undertaken cyclone mitigation, while also collecting data to inform natural disaster planning.

Regional Accelerator Program

Building on strengths to grow regional economies

Australia's regions have distinct strengths and priorities. The Government has identified 12 programs where it will target investments through a $2.0 billion Regional Accelerator Program to further grow Australia's regional communities. This will empower our strong and dynamic regions to capitalise on existing and emerging opportunities. It will also unlock growth prospects for industries and businesses to ensure thriving regions are internationally competitive.

Improving regional connectivity

Ensuring regional Australians can access the digital economy

The COVID‑19 pandemic, a growing digital economy and natural disasters have emphasised the critical importance of access to high‑quality telecommunication services in regional, remote and peri‑urban areas of Australia.

The Government's $1.3 billion investment in regional Australia's telecommunications will give households easier access to education and healthcare. It also better connects regional businesses to urban and global markets.

Improving access and resilience

Building on existing investments to improve regional connectivity, the Government is committing a further $811.8 million to:

• ensure up to 8,000km of new open-access mobile coverage on regional roads and adjacent premises, businesses and tourist hotspots
• deliver targeted improvements to digital connectivity
• improve resilience against natural disasters
• support affordability and
• increase Indigenous connectivity.

Upgrading the NBN Fixed Wireless network

The Government is working with NBN Co to improve existing wireless and satellite services. A $750.0 million investment, including $480.0 million from the Government, will support upgrades to the NBN Co's Fixed Wireless network. The upgrade will increase fixed wireless coverage and speed, also enabling additional data and more reliable services for satellite users.

This investment will enable up to a million regional and remote households and businesses to access better quality, more reliable internet coverage.

More coverage

Expanding the area covered by the NBN fixed wireless footprint by up to 50 per cent

Increasing fixed wireless coverage for around 750,000 premises

Better quality services

Higher speeds (100 Mbps and up to 250 Mbps) on the fixed wireless network for most users

Increased data allowances for satellite customers

Gemma and Tim run a small business in regional Queensland. They use their NBN Fixed Wireless connection to sell products and meet distributors online. Their children, Matt and Chris, do their homework online. Increasing speeds during busy periods by around 8 times (from 6 Mbps to 50 Mbps), these upgrades to the NBN Network will help ensure that everyone in the house can reliably use video and other digital services without interruption.

Developing the Northern Territory

Building on the Territory's gateway to Asia and the north

Located just 12 degrees south of the Equator, the Northern Territory's coastline is Australia's gateway to Asia. With its proximity to natural resources, it has the potential to be an industrial and energy export powerhouse.

Centred around the industrial precinct of Darwin's Middle Arm, the Government will provide $2.6 billion for transformative infrastructure across the Northern Territory. This will unlock new economic opportunities and position the region to be a top exporter to Asia.

Funding will be available for major upgrades at Middle Arm to transform it into an industrial and low emissions energy hub. This could unlock more than $16.4 billion of private investment.

The Government will also help guarantee water supply for the broader Darwin region, with $300.6 million from its $8.9 billion National Water Grid Fund. Improving reliable water access will attract more energy sector investment. It will help meet Middle Arm industrial users' demand for water, which may grow to 27,000 megalitres per annum by 2050.

Strengthening North and Central Queensland

Growing the food bowl

Possessing one of Australia's largest rivers by peak discharge, Queensland's Burdekin region is primed for growth, with exports having already risen by 25 per cent to $1.5 billion in just five years.

The Government will invest $1.7 billion in large-scale infrastructure to help the Burdekin region harness these opportunities. It will transform the region into a major global supplier of food and fibre.

The Government will provide a further $5.4 billion to build the Hells Gates Dam, subject to the completion of the final stage of the business case. Once built, this will be Queensland's largest dam, four times as big as Sydney Harbour.

Located 120km north-west of Townsville, it will turbocharge economic growth across the region. This dam will open up new agricultural export opportunities and safeguard the region's long term water security.

The dam should reliably deliver 2,100 gigalitres of water, enabling irrigation of an additional 60,000 hectares. This could support the cultivation of more than 4 million tonnes of sugarcane each year. This could increase agricultural output by $1.5 billion each year.

The project is expected to inject up to $1.3 billion in Gross Regional Product (GRP) during construction and, once operational, new and expanded agricultural opportunities should generate up to $6 billion in GRP.

Funding will be available for new and upgraded transport infrastructure to help irrigators ship their products to new export markets. Development opportunities include piping water from the Burdekin River to the Bowen region. This could irrigate a further 40,000 hectares.

Funding will also be available to develop common user infrastructure at the Port of Bundaberg to support goods getting to market.

The Government will also provide $400 million to upgrade the 1,184km Inland Freight Route from Queensland's Charters Towers to Mungindi on the New South Wales border.

Diversifying the Pilbara

Investing in new industries in the north‑west economy

The Pilbara is Australia’s mining powerhouse, with its iron ore and liquefied natural gas industries generating over $70 billion for the economy. The Pilbara region has significant potential to diversify and grow, building on its existing strengths. It has access to a skilled workforce, an existing industrial base, bulk export infrastructure, energy resources, secure water, reliable power and a natural deep anchorage harbour at Port Hedland.

The Government will invest $1.5 billion to establish the Pilbara region as a major hub for low emissions industries and to open the north‑west to future economic development.

Transforming the Hunter

Diversifying exports to the world

The Hunter is the largest regional economy in Australia, driving around 28 per cent of regional NSW’s total economic output. The Port of Newcastle is the world's largest terminal for coal exports, helping drive significant energy and resource exports to Asia.

Access to existing energy infrastructure, sustainable water sources, ports and logistical capabilities will ensure the Hunter region is well positioned to expand into new industries.

The Government will help the region capture this opportunity with a $750.0 million investment that diversifies the Hunter's economy and positions it as a leading exporter to the world.

This investment will help upgrade the Port of Newcastle, which will enable the private sector to develop an internationally competitive hydrogen export hub. Funding will also be available to complete the New England Highway bypass to Muswellbrook to improve travel times and make freight movements more efficient across the region.

Developing Northern Australia

A strong and prosperous north is critical to Australia’s future

The Government continues to drive investment in Northern Australia's agriculture, mining, education and tourism sectors. This Budget increases funding by $2.0 billion for the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) to $7.0 billion.

The NAIF has already committed $3.4 billion to 31 projects across Northern Australia, from the Gascoyne in Western Australia to Gladstone in Queensland. These projects should create 13,000 jobs and increase Australia's economic output by $25.0 billion.

The NAIF is already supporting manufacturing in Northern Australia with a $255.0 million contribution to a $4.3 billion fertiliser factory in Karratha, Western Australia. This will convert Australian gas into 2 million tonnes of fertiliser each year, creating 2,490 jobs and contributing $8.5 billion to the economy.

Growing our primary industries

Making farmers, fishers and foresters more productive and sustainable

The Government will provide over $600.0 million to help Australian farmers reach their goal of $100.0 billion in agricultural production by 2030.

It continues to protect Australia's reputation for safe and quality produce in the face of rising global pest and disease threats. This Budget includes $101.7 million to strengthen our biosecurity and traceability.

The Government is providing an additional $27.3 million to help farmers diversify their income streams by protecting biodiversity habitat on marginal farming land.

Securing Australia's water future

Enhancing water infrastructure and preparing for future droughts

Ensuring water availability

Water is the lifeblood of our regions and underpins Australia’s agriculture and primary industry sectors, supporting more than 220,000 jobs and injecting billions into our national economy each year. The Government established the National Water Grid to fund the dams and pipes that will secure the water needed to grow Australia’s agricultural output and build resilience in our regions. Since 2013, the Government has commenced 156 projects — worth $1.6 billion — across Australia.

Through its $8.9 billion National Water Grid Fund, this Budget provides $7.4 billion for 13 water infrastructure projects that increase water security and build drought resilience. This includes $6.6 billion for Queensland dams, including Hells Gates Dam, Big Rocks Weir, Emu Swamp Dam and Paradise Dam.

A further $433.0 million for Tamworth’s $1.2 billion Dungowan Dam will secure the region's water security by more than tripling its existing capacity to 22.5 gigalitres. The Government will help secure water for the Darwin region with $300.6 million for the Manton Dam project.

An additional $13.7 million for Tasmania’s Don Irrigation Scheme will deliver 4.8 gigalitres per year to North-Western Tasmania through 53 kilometres of pipeline and 3 pump stations.

The Government is also providing $139.9 million to make water delivery in the Murray-Darling Basin more reliable and to make the river system more sustainable.

Future Drought Fund

The $5.0 billion Future Drought Fund continues to deliver secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives. This Budget includes $94.5 million to activate drought resilient farming practices and climate services to help farmers and farming communities prepare for future droughts.

Commonwealth Water Infrastructure Investments

Strengthening critical supply chains

Ensuring access to essential products when they are needed

The Government is strengthening supply chain resilience for critical products. This includes better monitoring of supply chain vulnerabilities and working with Australian businesses and trusted international partners to prevent supply chain disruptions. A further $200.0 million for a Regional Accelerator Stream of the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative will assist regional businesses to address supply chain vulnerabilities.

The Government is complementing these measures with targeted investments to ensure Australian businesses and consumers can access critical products. Including:

• securing a multibillion dollar agreement with Moderna to build a new mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Melbourne, capable of producing 100 million vaccine doses per year
• bolstering domestic production of urea, a key ingredient in diesel exhaust fluid used by the trucking industry
• establishing a $2.0 billion Critical Minerals Investment Fund to help develop Australia's capability to produce these vital resources for global supply chains.

The Government has also commissioned the Productivity Commission to review maritime logistics to ensure sea, port and land side supply chains are not compounding any global supply challenges.

Strengthening critical supply chains

Supporting businesses to manage supply chain risks

Monitoring of supply chain vulnerabilities

Funding support through the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative

Targeted Government support to ensure access to critical products

International partnerships to prevent disruptions

Building regional skills

Training apprentices in regional Australia

As part of the Regional Accelerator Program, the Government continues to recognise the importance of developing apprentices in regional areas and will increase support via a $144.1 million boost for regional employers of apprentices. Until mid-2024, eligible regional and rural employers will be able to access a wage subsidy of 15 per cent of an apprentice's wages in their first year, 10 per cent in the second year and 5 per cent in the third. The Government will also provide $22.6 million for more than 29,000 additional in-training support places to ensure regional apprentices have the support they need.

Enhancing regional labour market data

The Government will increase the focus on Australia's regional workforce with enhanced labour market statistics, helping government, businesses and regional communities make informed decisions on how to continue developing resilient and dynamic regional economies.

Valve Plumbing will employ Wayne as a first-year apprentice plumber in regional Queensland. Wayne will have a starting salary of $33,000 per year. He will study a 3.7 year-long Certificate III in Plumbing and will commence in July 2022. In addition to the wage subsidy of $8,500 ($3,300 in the first year, $3,300 in the second and $1,900 in the third) that all employers in priority occupations Australia-wide will receive, Wayne’s employer will also get an additional $1,650 through the Regional Apprenticeship Boost in Wayne's first year. Wayne will also receive $5,000 in Apprentice Training Support Payments ($1,250 every six months for two years) to help him with the cost of living while he trains. In addition, Wayne is eligible for up to $21,127 in Australian Apprentice Support Loans.

Enhancing essential services

Ensuring regional Australians can access the services they need

Community Child Care Fund — targeting child care supply gaps

The Government is increasing access to child care for families in regional and remote areas by providing $19.4 million to support the establishment of up to 20 new child care services. The funding will target regional areas in need. This builds on grants to more than 1,000 services in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in largely regional and remote locations.

Supporting access to medical services

Aeromedical outreach services are an important component of the health system in isolated locations. The Government is investing more than $55.0 million over four years to continue to support these services, including:

• $33.3 million to the Royal Flying Doctors Service
• $18.0 million to CareFlight and
• $4.1 million to Little Wings.

The Government is also investing $66.0 million to increase access to regional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines through extending Medicare rebates. This will reduce waiting times for health scans in regional areas and put downward pressure on out-of-pocket costs to consumers through increased bulk billing rates and competition.

Supporting home ownership sooner

The Government is supporting more Australians into the housing market in regional areas with a new Regional Home Guarantee, providing 10,000 places per year for aspiring regional homebuyers to enter the property market sooner with a deposit of only 5 per cent.

World class healthcare for our regions

Protecting our environment

Safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef and supporting recycling

On the ground environmental action

The Government is continuing to protect the Great Barrier Reef and support the reef economy and local communities.

An additional $1.0 billion will:

• improve water quality
• deploy technology to help the reef adapt to climate change
• remove invasive Crown of Thorns Starfish and
• strengthen partnerships with Traditional Owners, community groups and scientists to undertake on-ground projects and research.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority will also receive $12.4 million to continue world-class reef management and protection operations, while extending fee relief to local tourism businesses affected by the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Over $170.0 million will protect threatened species, restore habitats, and plant more trees. This includes a dedicated $53.0 million to conserve Australia's koalas and their habitats.

Supporting waste and recycling capabilities

Building on the $388.6 million already committed to reducing waste, the Government is investing a further $83.1 million in Australia's waste and recycling capabilities.

This includes $60.4 million to develop new state-of-the-art technologies to improve the reuse of plastics.

A further $18.2 million will improve awareness of correct recycling techniques and develop a ReMade in Australia scheme to give consumers confidence about which products are remade here in Australia.

Reforming environmental regulations

The Government is investing $192.0 million to further streamline and strengthen environmental laws. This includes $62.3 million to support the creation of up to 10 bioregional plans, protecting the environments of key regions while fast-tracking project planning. A further $52.5 million will reduce environmental compliance burden on businesses across Australia.

Building on strong foundations

These new measures build on the Government's existing suite of environmental initiatives, including:

• the National Landcare Program to support conservation efforts across the country
• protecting threatened species and restoring habitats through the Environment Restoration Fund
• keeping oceans healthy and resilient through the Oceans Leadership Package and marine bioregional plans
• expanding Australia's Indigenous Protected Areas and
• ongoing investment in low emission technologies and energy efficiency measures to support households, businesses and the environment.