CATHERINE KING MP
MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

KRISTY MCBAIN MP
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES

SENATOR ANTHONY CHISHOLM
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Albanese Labor Government’s 2026-27 Budget investment builds on our work to deliver the transport and community infrastructure that Australians need.

This will see a total of $12.1 billion in new investments across the portfolio, with $10.3 billion for transport infrastructure projects, $976 million for transport, and $803 million for community infrastructure.

During a time of global uncertainty this will build on our infrastructure investment pipeline, with investment in responsible projects – that will boost productivity, deliver safer and faster freight and support connected housing.

This Budget will see new investment to support new and existing projects across every state and territory. This includes new funding for major road and rail projects: 

• $3.8 billion investment in the Suburban Rail Loop East in Victoria, bringing the total Government contribution to $6 billion for this city shaping project.
• $1.75 billion for productivity and resilience upgrades to our national freight rail network, bringing the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s network investment program to almost $2.8 billion.
• $812.5 million in Queensland to deliver Stage 2 of the Bruce Highway – Gateway Motorway to Dohles Rocks Road, building on our $758.4 million investment in Stage 1 and connecting Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast growth areas to Brisbane’s north.
• $552 million in Western Australia to deliver the first stages of the Anketell Road Upgrades, to strengthen our supply chain resilience, support housing supply, and improve productivity in the defence and critical minerals industries.
• $50 million for upgrades to the Sydney to Canberra rail corridor and development of a business case for longer-term initiatives. 

The Government is continuing to invest in local communities by providing grant funding that will make our suburbs and regions even better places to live, including: 

Bringing forward 80 per cent ($2.9 billion) of the 2026–27 Financial Assistance Grant Entitlement to Local Government, and providing funding for the delivery of infrastructure that meets the needs of our cities and regions.

• $750 million to deliver new rounds of the Thriving Suburbs and Growing Regions programs, bringing total investment since 2022 to over $1.7 billion.
• $22.5 million to deliver Round 10 of the Stronger Communities Program, building on the more than 18,000 projects already delivered to benefit local communities.
• An additional $500 million to build on the successful Active Transport Fund – to provide active transport options, like walking and cycling and make our cities and regions more vibrant places to live. 

This year’s Budget also provides support to keep Australia moving through current fuel disruptions, while investing in the long-term productivity and resilience of our transport industry. This includes: 

• $47.1 million to continue developing a Maritime Single Window, to cut regulatory costs and provide a single digital portal for international maritime reporting.
• $4 million to develop a Green Fuel Bunkering Strategy to support the decarbonisation and long-term resilience of Australia’s maritime industry.
• $38.1 million over four years, and $7.3 million per year ongoing, to deliver our commitment to enhance protections for aviation consumers.
• $4.5 million over four years for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to continue aviation price monitoring.
• Working with industry to introduce a new market measure to help drive demand for the domestic production of low carbon liquid fuels through the Government’s $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program to strengthen Australia’s fuel security as committed. 

This Budget delivers safer and more reliable transport networks, strengthens connections between cities and regions, and supports economic growth by linking people with jobs, services and opportunity.