What Maintenance Companies Need to Know about the $120 Billion Infrastructure Pipeline

The Australian government has announced a $120 billion rolling 10-year pipeline of infrastructure investment in the 2023-24 budget. This is a great opportunity for maintenance companies to secure work and grow their business. But how can you stand out from the competition and win these projects?

Here are some tips to help you prepare and bid for infrastructure projects in the budget:

• Do your research: The government has commissioned an independent review of the Infrastructure Investment Program to ensure that the projects are nationally significant, cost-effective and deliverable. The review will be conducted by three experts with extensive experience in land transport infrastructure. You can find out more about the review process and the criteria for selecting the projects on the budget website. You can also check the existing pipeline of projects and their status on the Infrastructure Australia website. Doing your research will help you identify the projects that match your capabilities and expertise, and understand the expectations and requirements of the government.

• Build relationships: The government has allocated $200 million for the Major Projects Business Case Fund, which will fund the development of business cases for strategically important projects. This means that there will be opportunities to engage with the government and other stakeholders early on in the planning stage of the projects. You can use this opportunity to build relationships with the decision-makers and influencers, showcase your track record and value proposition, and demonstrate your understanding of the project objectives and challenges. Building relationships will help you establish trust and credibility, and increase your chances of being invited to tender or partner with other contractors.

• Focus on quality: The government has also launched a National Urban Policy to address the challenges facing Australia’s major cities, such as housing affordability, climate resilience and social inclusion. This policy reform will be matched with new programs, such as the Thriving Suburbs Program and the Urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, which will provide funding for community infrastructure and precinct-level development. These programs will require high-quality outcomes that meet the needs and expectations of the urban communities. You can focus on quality by highlighting your best practices, standards and certifications, your innovation and sustainability initiatives, and your customer satisfaction and feedback mechanisms. Focusing on quality will help you differentiate yourself from the competition and deliver value for money for the government and the community.

These are some of the tips to help you win infrastructure projects in the 2023-24 budget. Of course, there are many other factors that can influence your success, such as your pricing strategy, your risk management approach, and your team composition and capability. But by following these tips, you can increase your chances of securing work and growing your business.

What are some of the challenges or opportunities that you face as a maintenance company in bidding for infrastructure projects? Share your thoughts in the comments below.