Major Projects Facilitation Agency (MPFA)
Major project developments in Australia need to comply with various levels of regulatory approvals across different levels of government.
The Major Projects Facilitation Agency provides a single entry point for major project proponents seeking tailored information and facilitation of their regulatory approval requirements.
The Agency ensures certainty about the process to follow to gain approvals for your major project. It does this by:
- providing information on Australian Government regulations and approvals
- mapping critical approvals pathways and processes for major investment projects above $20 million, in consultation with regulators and government agencies
- facilitating communication between regulators and project proponents
- monitoring approvals milestones for projects, and addressing any issues with the process.
The Agency assists major projects at all stages of development by providing a range of facilitation and information services, and facilitates the granting of Major Project Status to eligible projects, by the Australian Government.
The Agency also has an online help tool, Major Projects Help, to assist project proponents work out which Australian Government regulatory approvals and processes are relevant to their project.
All services are free of charge and carry no ongoing obligation. Information can be treated in-confidence on request.
The Agency provides services nationwide, through offices in Darwin in the Northern Territory, Launceston in Tasmania and Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory.
Major Project Status
Investors in major projects that have an expected capital expenditure of $50 million or more, and that meet the eligibility criteria, may apply for Major Project Status. This status is the Australian Government’s formal recognition of the national strategic significance of the project, through its contribution to economic growth, employment, or contribution to regional Australia. The MPFA provides an additional level of assistance to these projects, including working closely with state governments to coordinate the approvals process.
Further information about Major Project Status can be found on the Major Project Status page.
Tools and Resources
Commonwealth Regulators
The Commonwealth Regulators are some of the Australian Government's regulatory and approval bodies that the Major Projects Facilitation Agency works with.
Factsheets
The factsheets provide a summary of Australian Government regulations that commonly apply to major project developments in Australia.
View the Major Projects Facilitation Agency (MPFA) overview factsheet -
Major Projects Help
If your project doesn’t satisfy the criteria for general MPFA services or for Major Project Status, there is also an online help tool - Major Projects Help - which will help you work through the process of identifying your Australian Government requirements.
Partnerships
The Agency works closely with Commonwealth Regulators and State and Territory Governments to ensure all regulatory approval pathways are identified. Please visit our partners’ pages for more information and links to additional business and investor services.
- Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
- Australian Trade Comission - Australia Unlimited
- Northern Territory Government
- Tasmanian Government
- Queensland Government