Why Invest in Canberra?

Centre of Government
As Australia’s centre of government, Canberra offers unique opportunities for business to source contracts from the Federal Government - Australia’s largest procurer of goods and services with a spending power of around $170 billion per annum.

A Knowledge Based Economy
Canberra’s economy is characterised by high levels of labour force participation, low levels of unemployment and strong export opportunities in industries such as information technology, defence, biotechnology, education and tourism.

Highly Educated Community and Work Force
A key to industry success in Canberra is access to a workforce that is more computer-literate and boasts more tertiary qualifications per capita than any other major city in the Southern Hemisphere. Canberra’s strong set of academic institutions offering a high standard of education to all. Businesses benefit from educational institutions fostering new generations of talented, creative and energetic people.

World-Class R&D
Canberra’s research institutions have a strong record of research performance, with the ACT attracting approximately 12% of national funding for public sector R&D. The ACT also spends more per capita on publicly funded R&D than any other city in Australia. Over 7000 scientists are involved in the creation of new ideas and innovation. Canberra’s R&D and commercialisation culture is globally recognised, as is the unique city-state government that encourages and facilitates business growth.

A Connected Business Environment
Canberra was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to introduce a broadband fibre-optic network offering access to households and businesses in the region. The ACT is ranked alongside Singapore, Finland, Sweden and the USA as having one of the most IT connected communities in the world. Canberra also has high levels of technological infrastructure and community and business adoption of technology.

Open, Tolerant and Diverse Community
More than one-quarter of Canberra residents were born overseas. More than 16% of Canberra’s population speak a language other than English at home.

Strong Infrastructure
Facilitates business in transport, communications, utilities and the provision of public services - and competitive cost structures.

An Efficient System of Governance
A city-state government provides both the state-type and municipal functions which are divided between two different levels of government in other parts of Australia.

A Lifestyle Like No Other
Canberra offers a combination of cosmopolitan and natural environments, offering a wide array of recreational opportunities and cultural attractions.