Australia’s advantages as an investment location are promoted through Invest Australia, set up under the Government’s Investing for Growth strategy
released in 1997. Invest Australia promotes investment on a national level and helps state and territory governments coordinate their investment
promotion and facilitation (source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).
The OECD’s Economic Outlook (released on 6 December 2007) forecasts 4.3 per cent economic growth for Australia in 2007. Economic growth is
expected to be 3.5 per cent in 2008 and 3.0 per cent in 2009.
Inward FDI stock in 2006 reached US$246 billion. USA (30%) was still the highest source of inwards FDI, followed in second place by UK (22%)
with Japan as third (9%). Both Netherlands and Switzerland tied for fourth place (8%). Source: 53520 - International Investment Position, Australia:
Supplementary Statistics, 2006.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Canberra's attractions are its strategic location, skilled and flexible workforce, first class infrastructure, leading position in high technology fields such
as information technology and environmental management and low cost, high quality lifestyle.
Why Canberra is a good place to do business:
Outstanding educational and R&D capabilities; A highly skilled and adaptable workforce; Leading positions in emerging technologies; Concentrated
intellectual capital; Internationally competitive business environment; and High standard of living
New South Wales
New South Wales is Australia's largest economy. With Australia’s business and financial centre, Sydney, as its capital, New South Wales offers
attractions like a highly skilled and educated workforce, world-class infrastructure and services, a time zone straddling the United States and Europe,
and a stable, low risk environment.
Northern Territory
Oil and gas, a new transcontinental railway, tourism, defence, defence and tropical knowledge, and cattle exports are key sectors. The booming oil
and gas industry has created significant supply and service opportunities in Darwin. The Territory's ambition is to become Australia's fourth oil and
gas hub as the Timor Sea is developed. The liquids stripping phase of Phillips' Bayu-Undan field has begun, with construction of an LNG plant due
to start soon.
Queensland
Queensland has set the economic pace for more than a decade, growing an average of 4.9 per cent annually. As well as being home to mining,
agricultural and manufacturing operations, Queensland is actively encouraging the growth of new-age industries such as biotechnology and
information and communications technology.
South Australia
South Australia and its capital Adelaide offer exceptional value and advantages to business:
Business climate - industrial harmony; government assistance to potential investors; fast-tracking of major projects; collaboration between industry,
government and community leaders.
Management and labour costs - a highly educated, multi-lingual and skilled workforce; nationally competitive labour and management costs; low
on-costs; cost competitive professional services.
Construction advantages - well-located, inexpensive industrial land; easy access to all transport services; an average 3.5 months planning and
building approval time; building completion costs among the lowest of any advanced industrial country.
Factory and office rental and purchase - among the lowest commercial rents and purchase costs in Australia.
Lower energy costs - Australia's energy costs are low from an international perspective; gas and electricity prices in Adelaide are competitive.
World-class telecommunications services - satellite and cable networks ideal for regional hubbing; local and international calls among the
cheapest in Asia; sophisticated IT infrastructure provided by multinational companies.
Transport advantages - efficient and easily accessible road, rail, sea and air networks; Port Adelaide container terminal has the highest crane rate
and lowest interface port costs in Australia.
Living costs and lifestyle - Australia has one of the highest standards of living in the world; Adelaide is the most affordable Australian capital city in
which to live; its living costs are also very competitive with Singapore, Hong Kong and Jakarta.
Tasmania
Tasmania has an export-focused culture, industry clusters, networks and alliances, and a business environment with competitive advantages.
Victoria
The Victorian combination of state-of-the-art research and technology facilities, skilled professionals, and cost-competitive infrastructure serve to
create an environment that fosters innovation and the development of a leading edge in global markets. Its sectors are biotechnology, information
communications technology, automotive, financial services, food processing and shared services.
Western Australia
Western Australia continues to be the powerhouse of the resources industry not only for Australia, but the Asia-Pacific region generally, hosting
more than 250 mines and 35 petroleum operations. Production from these operations exceeded A$27 billion last year, or about 40% of Australia’s
total output of minerals and petroleum. Much potential also exists for the development of petrochemical and other world-scaled downstream
processing industries using the State’s vast uncommitted gas reserves as an input.
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