Infrastructure Australia has released its Infrastructure Priority List (IPL) for 2026, outlining 68 high-priority proposals designed to guide federal investment over the next decade.
The list serves as an independent, evidence-based roadmap to address Australia’s most pressing infrastructure gaps while unlocking significant economic opportunities.
The 2026 IPL focuses on projects across five priority pillars: high-productivity freight, port connectivity, urban transport, water security, and the transition to a net-zero economy.
According to Infrastructure Australia CEO Adam Copp, the blueprint provides the confidence and clarity the Australian government needs to invest in projects that strengthen national liveability and sustainability.
“These priority areas ensure there are clear objectives and benefits for the nation in the Australian government investing in these proposals,” Copp said.
“Whether it involves upgrading key freight links to boost Australia’s trade competitiveness or exploring new public transport connections that could improve mobility, unlock housing and create jobs – each proposal has the potential to materially improve the nation’s productivity, liveability and sustainability.”
The Public Transport Association of Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ) CEO Lauren Streifer said the IPL’s focus on high capacity transport for growing cities reflects the reality of how Australia’s urban areas are evolving.
“Australians know their cities are changing, and the way we move must change too. High-capacity public transport keeps cities liveable and productive and gives people real choice about how they travel.
“It also means more people can choose to leave the car at home – a huge step in the right direction for commuters, cities and the environment.”
Streifer said it was encouraging to see Infrastructure Australia recognising the role of mode shift away from private vehicles, alongside its call to safeguard future major transport hubs and corridors.
“Protecting key transport corridors early saves governments billions in the long run. Once land is built over, delivering new transport becomes far more complex and expensive.”
A key feature of the 2026 list is its dual focus on immediate needs and long-term planning. By maintaining a pipeline of projects that align with the market’s actual capacity to deliver, the IPL aims to avoid bottlenecks in the construction sector.
However, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA) has warned that governments must have a clear understanding of the materials needed to deliver major infrastructure projects.
CCAA Chief Executive Officer Michael Kilgariff said: “Infrastructure Australia’s Market Capacity Report shows that supply of key construction inputs remains a major risk to infrastructure delivery, with industry identifying materials such as steel, quarry products and concrete as significant threats to project delivery.
“Materials supply is the largest non-labour supply risk to infrastructure delivery, which is why governments need a much clearer understanding of the demand for heavy construction materials as infrastructure pipelines grow.”
He said without robust supply-and-demand studies for heavy construction materials, governments risk delays, higher project costs and supply bottlenecks that could slow the delivery of infrastructure.
“From transport corridors and port upgrades to renewable energy infrastructure and water systems, heavy construction materials are fundamental to delivering the infrastructure that supports Australia’s productivity, housing growth and energy transition,” Kilgariff said.
While inclusion on the IPL is a significant milestone, it does not guarantee immediate funding. Instead, it serves as a primary filter for the Australian government’s investment decisions.
