Investing for impact across the north

NAIF is a development financier to infrastructure projects in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Indian Ocean Territories. NAIF’s mission is to be an innovative financing partner in the growth of northern Australia. A key focus of any financing is to drive public benefit, economic and population growth and Indigenous involvement in northern Australia. About us

Performance Summary

NAIF is delivering on its vision to transform northern Australia through financing infrastructure development, with $4 billion committed to projects.


$3bn
financing for
closed deals*

14,700
forecast
jobs

$29.4bn
forecast
economic benefit

*Reaching contractual close is the key point of economic enablement for NAIF’s transactions.

NAIF supported projects

How NAIF has helped support projects across northern Australia.

      All case studies

      NAIF investments

      NAIF has made financing commitments of around $4 billion to projects in northern Australia. These projects are forecast to generate around $29.4 billion in economic impact and support more than 14,700 jobs (during construction and operations).

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      Our latest news

      Media statement: Kalium Lakes Limited

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      Straight road in dry desert landscape

      New appointment to NAIF Board

      The Australian Government has appointed Ms Vanessa Elliott to the board of the Northern Australia ...

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      NAIF ready to seize the opportunity to grow northern Australia

      The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has welcomed the passing of legislation that ...

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      Two men working on a construction site

      $66 million for Northern Territory Infrastructure Loans

      New Territory Infrastructure Loans program for businesses looking to deliver small-scale projects ...

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      Groundbreaking ceremony for the Perdaman Urea project in Western Australia

      Perdaman breaks ground on Pilbara Urea Project

      Construction starts at Perdaman's $6 billion Pilbara urea project....

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      More news

      Frequently asked questions

       NAIF is a Commonwealth Government entity established to facilitate economic and population growth in northern Australia through financing infrastructure projects and businesses and helping to catalyse private sector investment. 

      NAIF’s record to date includes partnering with projects in a broad range of industry sectors in the northern Australia economy, including  resources, energy, transport, agriculture and aquaculture, education, healthcare, tourism and social infrastructure. 

      At our core, NAIF’s role is to be an impact investor in northern Australia. We do this by: 

      • facilitating the growth of northern Australia; 
      • accelerating projects; 
      • delivering public benefit; 
      • catalysing and crowding in private sector investment; and 
      • ensuring strong indigenous opportunities and outcomes. 

      Find out more about us. 

      We can finance projects and businesses – large, medium and small – across a range of sectors not limited to mining and resources, agriculture and aquaculture, transport (including airports, ports, rail and logistics), energy, water, education, tourism, social infrastructure, healthcare, telecommunications and manufacturing. 

      You can read about our projects.

      NAIF was provided with an initial $5 billion of capital by the Commonwealth Government.  This was increased to $7 billion in June 2023.  Across northern Australia at May 2023 NAIF had made financing commitments of $4 billion. These projects are forecast to generate $29 billion in economic impact and support more than 15,000 jobs (during construction and operations). 

      We work with project proponents to offer a range of flexible financing products on commercial terms. 

      Provided that your project is eligible for NAIF support, NAIF can provide: 

      • Bespoke and flexible loan facilities. 
      • Loans for smaller-scale projects including through financing partnerships. 
      • Equity finance, subject to a cap of $50m per investment and a minimum investment size of $5m; NAIF can invest in non-controlling equity stakes. 
      • Financing directly to proponents rather than via the States or Territory under certain circumstances. 

      With NAIF’s focus on northern Australia, we consider the unique circumstances of the region; climate, distance from major markets and sparse populations being common themes. Our commercially focused investment team works closely with proponents to structure loan deals in the most appropriate way. 

      As a Government entity, NAIF ensures the careful stewardship of public funds. Central to this is ensuring that proponents demonstrate an ability to repay loans or provide a return on equity investments. 

      Please note that NAIF cannot provide funding for feasibility studies. 

      NAIF does not provide grants or fund business cases. NAIF’s financing is in the form of commercial loans or equity. 

      Under the 2021 reforms to NAIF, we are now able to contribute equity finance to projects. This is subject to a cap of $50m per investment and being non-controlling stakes. NAIF’s total equity commitments are capped at $500m. 

      NAIF will primarily focus on the provision of gap equity to assist projects with fundraising in progression. NAIF will not provide development or early-stage equity.