We're growing Australia's critical minerals sector.

We finance Australian critical minerals projects

We provide financial expertise and solutions to support Australian critical minerals projects and related infrastructure to help Australia become a leading provider of critical minerals globally.

Our finance supports Australian businesses to move further up the value chain to downstream processing as well as businesses that are part of the critical minerals supply chain.

The Australian Government’s Critical Minerals Facility

The Australian Government has a Critical Minerals Strategy that will grow Australia’s critical minerals sector, expand downstream processing and help meet future global demand. We manage the Government’s $5 billion Critical Minerals Facility. Projects that are aligned with the Critical Minerals Strategy and are otherwise in Australia’s national interest, may be able to access finance through this facility, subject to our due diligence.

How we work with other financiers

We work alongside other Commonwealth agencies where mandates overlap. For critical minerals, this can include working with the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. We can also share risk with partners and encourage investment from other commercial and public financiers to ensure that viable projects receive the finance required to proceed.

Our single point of entry (SPE) with the Export-Import Bank of the United States

Working with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (U.S. EXIM) we have established a streamlined pathway for businesses to approach our agencies and enable faster referrals and joint financings of eligible critical mineral transactions, known as the SPE.   

Australian and U.S. businesses may now approach either Export Finance Australia or U.S. EXIM and will receive streamlined access to both agencies’ financing support. This includes joint, coordinated feedback on their project from both agencies, advice on the next steps to work with each agency and access to joint Export Finance Australia-U.S. EXIM solutions. 

The Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve

As of April 2026, we are supporting the delivery of the Government’s $1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. The first minerals to be the focus of the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve are antimony, gallium and rare earth elements. Australian critical minerals businesses involved in the extraction, processing and supply of these three minerals may be eligible for support. The Department of Industry, Science and Resources acts as the initial point of contact.

Learn more about the Strategic Reserve and our role here.

Want to know more about critical minerals?

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources is the Australian Government's central coordination point to help grow Australia’s critical minerals sector. Read more about the critical minerals priorities of the Department and the policies, programs and work that support Australia’s critical minerals sector here.