Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)

The $7 billion lending facility to provides loans to infrastructure projects in northern Australia:

• NAIF investments can be used for the development of new infrastructure or materially enhancing existing infrastructure
• NAIF can lend up to 100% of the debt, providing there is appropriate risk sharing
• The project must have public benefit and have an Indigenous Engagement Strategy. This would usually be projects which will be able to service multiple users
• Loans can be on concessional terms (relative to what a private sector financier can deliver), as long as the infrastructure generates public benefit and there is an ability to repay or refinance
• NAIF has a higher tolerance for the unique risks of investing in northern Australia including but not limited to, distance, remoteness and climate
• NAIF can look at projects across northern Australia (see map below) including the Northern Territory, and those parts of Queensland and Western Australia above the Tropic of Capricorn. As well as the regional centres of Gladstone, the Gladstone Hinterland, Carnarvon and Exmouth, as well as the Local Government Areas of Meekatharra and Wiluna in Western Australia
• Importantly projects financed by the NAIF do not need to be entirely within these boundaries if they produce significant benefits to northern Australia
• Investment Decisions are made by an independent Board who are supported by an experienced team of infrastructure financiers who work with proponents and other lenders to commercial timelines