• Australia's social infrastructure challenges are complex and increasing. For example, government health expenditure per person is expected to double over the next 40 years.40 School infrastructure is ageing and not meeting demand in Fast-growing Cities.41 Access and quality to social infrastructure is ineguitable and digital technology should be better leveraged.
• Social infrastructure represented only 4% of nationally significant projects in the Infrastructure Priority List.42 Cross-portfolio, high-value programs must be developed that share investment, land and facilities to deliver economically beneficial projects and the integrated services that communities need.
• Over the next 15 years, it is projected Australia will need almost 730,000 new social housing properties.43 Currently, only 4% of Australia's housing stock is social housing, compared to the OECD average of 6%.44 Investment in quality social housing should be a central part of a sustainable, inclusive economic recovery, including Job creation.
• The health and education sectors made up 13% of Australia's GDP in 2020.45 Strategic investment in health, education and research precincts can support higher wages and skilled Jobs, attract global investment and have a multiplier effect on the economy.