Recognition and support for complex major projects in Australia

Major Project Status is the Australian Government’s recognition of the national significance of a project – for economic growth, employment, or for regional Australia, and its need for support to navigate complex regulatory approvals.

If your project gets Major Project Status, you’ll get extra support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency (MPFA). This includes help with coordination and facilitation of Australian Government approvals. Your project may need a range of approvals such as environmental, biosecurity or foreign investment approvals.

Most projects have Major Project Status for 3 years. We’d normally expect you to complete the approvals process in the 3 years.

For full details of the Major Project Status eligibility criteria, contact the MPFA.

Your project needs to meet the following criteria.

1. The project is of strategic significance to Australia

The project's estimated investment must be more than $50 million.

It must:

• contribute to strategic priorities of the Australian Government; and
• contribute significantly to economic growth, industry development, innovation exports, and/or employment and upskilling and/or
• have an economic benefit to regional Australia, considering a region's investment needs.

Major project developers need to be able to provide details of:

• major elements of total capital expenditure
• major capital equipment items
• cost estimates from feasibility studies
• employment numbers for different phases of the project
• contribution to the Australian and/or regional economy.

2. The project is facing complex regulatory approvals challenges with Australian Government approvals

The project requires:

• assistance navigating complex regulatory approvals challenges under Australian Government legislation.

Australian Government approvals may include:

• environment and heritage approvals
• customs and biosecurity approvals
• approvals under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (and related Acts)
• approvals under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021
• foreign investment approval
• import tariff concessions.

Examples of regulatory complexity may include:

• projects with an unclear regulatory pathway (for example in new or emerging industries where regulatory frameworks do not yet exist or are in development)
• projects that span multiple jurisdictions (state/territory and/or international)
• projects with conflicting regulatory approval requirements.

3. The project has sufficient financial resources and is commercially viable

Developers need to show that the project has attracted sufficient funding, at a minimum to complete the approval processes, and that the project can demonstrate reasonable commercial viability.

You’ll need evidence of adequate funding, commercial viability and support such as:

• evidence of support from governments and communities
• resolutions of support from the board of a parent company
• a letter of support from a parent company or investor
• letters of intent, heads of agreement or other commercial documents, offtake and supply agreements, audited company accounts
• evidence of suitable experience of the project’s management team to deliver your project
• feasibility studies, business case or financial viability assessments.

Contact the MPFA to discuss your project and to find out how to apply.