Joint media release with Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen and Dr Andrew Charlton, Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy.
The Australian Federal Government has released a new document Expectations of data centres and AI infrastructure developers, following its National AI Plan issued in December 2025 in which the Labour government set out its ambition to “harness the benefits of AI while ensuring all Australians share the benefits.”
“Global investment in data centres is accelerating – and Australia is well-placed to lead – but this must happen on terms that benefit the community and deliver for the national interest,” the statement on behalf of the Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen and Andrew Charlton, Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy said.
It added that the Expectations were designed to make it easier to invest in Australia by setting clear, nationally consistent signals, supporting smoother engagement with communities, stronger coordination with states and territories, and faster progress for projects that are aligned with Australia’s priorities.
“The Expectations make clear that data centre developments must put the needs of the Australian people first, ensuring our communities benefit directly through jobs, investment in skills and innovation – while strongly supporting Australia’s clean energy transition and safeguarding our long-term water security,” it said.
These five expectations are:
- Prioritise Australia’s national interest
- Support Australia’s energy transition
- Use water sustainably and responsibly
- Invest in Australian skills and jobs
- Strengthen research, innovation and local capability
“We will work with the states and territories and market participants to implement the expectations, particularly through the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council,” the document said.
“The Albanese Government expects data centres and AI infrastructure operators to underwrite new renewable power supply, pay their full share of new grid connectivity so costs are not passed to consumers or businesses, and support Australia’s energy transition through demand flexibility mechanisms.”
The Government also said it expected hyperscalers to make compute available to Australian start-ups seeking to create Australian AI, and partner with its innovation ecosystem.
“Australia already attracts strong global investment in data centres, reflecting our competitive edge in renewable energy, robust privacy protections, stable governance and high‑quality connectivity – and the industry makes an important contribution to our economy and industrial capability,” it noted. “The Expectations leverage these strengths to secure positive outcomes for Australia.”
“Australia has a significant number of national challenges to solve – and AI, data centre investment and advanced industrial and technological capability can help us get there,” added the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres.
“Securing this infrastructure onshore strengthens our security, supports our startups and researchers and ensures Australian data benefits Australians – not offshore jurisdictions.”
To read the detail of the National Data Centre Expectations in full, visit industry.gov.au/NationalDataCentreExpectations
“Australia has a significant number of national challenges to solve – and AI, data centre investment and advanced industrial and technological capability can help us get there,” added the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres.
“Securing this infrastructure onshore strengthens our security, supports our startups and researchers and ensures Australian data benefits Australians – not offshore jurisdictions.”
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