The Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia (White Paper) is the Government’s 20-year framework to guide policy makers and investors in building a strong, prosperous, resilient northern economy.
The White Paper is a 20-year plan for investment and collaborative support to unlock the strategic potential of the north. It is focused on developing industries and facilitating long-term economic growth. The White Paper is positioning Northern Australia as an attractive environment for businesses to invest and communities to flourish.
The White Paper was informed by the Green Paper on Developing Northern Australia, which sought to facilitate feedback on opportunities, risks, challenges and policy options to drive growth in the north.
- Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia DOCX: 12948 KB PDF: 15251 KB
- Our North, Our Future: White Paper Overview PDF: 2024 KB
- Green Paper on Developing Northern Australia DOCX: 1218 KB PDF: 2723 KB
The Australian Government defines Northern Australia as all of the Northern Territory and those parts of Queensland and Western Australia that intersect with the Tropic of Capricorn, as well as the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas, Cocos and Keeling Islands.
Developing Northern Australia and realising its economic opportunities requires the collective efforts of all levels of government, the private sector, and communities. Working together will secure the north’s strong and sustainable future.
Refresh of the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia
The department is engaging with stakeholders to inform a refresh of the 2015 Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia.
The refresh is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to addressing the unique and complex challenges that hinder Northern Australia’s development potential. Stakeholder engagement will assist in understanding priorities for action.
Register your interest today to keep up to date on future engagement
Read our Australian Privacy Principle 5 Notice
Factsheets
- Factsheet: Budget 2023-24 Investments in Northern Australia PDF: 635 KB
- Factsheet: Budget 2022-23 Investments in Northern Australia PDF: 509 KB
Progress reports
- Our North, Our Future 2021-2026: Targeted Growth PDF: 7739 KB
- Our North, Our Future Implementation Report 2018 DOCX: 5791 KB PDF: 14938 KB
- Our North, Our Future Implementation Report 2017 DOCX: 2508 KB PDF: 9609 KB
Statements and agreements
- Minister for Northern Australia - 2022 Annual Statement to Parliament PDF: 277 KB
- Minister for Northern Australia - 2021 Annual Statement to Parliament PDF: 207 KB
- Minister for Northern Australia - 2020 Annual Statement to Parliament PDF: 168 KB
- Minister for Northern Australia - 2019 Annual Statement to Parliament PDF: 134 KB
- Minister for Northern Australia - 2018 Annual Statement to Parliament PDF: 246 KB
- Minister for Northern Australia - 2017 Annual Statement to Parliament PDF: 129 KB
- Minister for Northern Australia - 2016 Annual Statement to Parliament PDF: 124 KB
- Development Statement for Northern Australia - 2018 PDF: 774 KB
- Defence Statement for Northern Australia - 2018 PDF: 648 KB
- Northern Australia Indigenous Development Accord
- Office of Northern Australia Information Exchange PDF: 616 KB