Australia national security office precinct to cost more than $1 billion

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Australia security office precinct

Highlights

Australia's National Security Office Precinct in Barton will cost at least $1 billion, serving agencies like the Office of National Intelligence and DFAT.
Construction began in late 2024 with six cranes operating, set to create over 10,000 jobs, marking Canberra's largest Commonwealth construction in almost 40 years.
Agencies will start relocating to the new precinct from 2029, leaving offices such as the RG Casey building to private landlords, with its lease expiring in 2031.

Project scope and occupancy plans

As first reported by ABC News, the National Security Office Precinct in Barton is being developed for several Commonwealth entities, including the Office of National Intelligence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Evidence presented at Senate estimates in May also indicates the Department of Finance, which is leading the development, is engaging with other agencies as planning for the precinct continues.

The site, located close to Parliament House, is described by the federal government as a response to critical accommodation and capability requirements across parts of the national intelligence community. In addition to office buildings, the precinct is set to include hospitality and retail venues intended to serve both workers and the wider public.

Finance Minister and ACT Senator Katy Gallagher says the development is intended to provide a more appropriate and more secure workplace than existing facilities, with several agencies already at or near capacity. She describes the project as a building of national significance designed to support intelligence work in a changing operating environment.

Cost, timeline and property implications

The government has not disclosed the full project budget, citing commercial-in-confidence and national security sensitivities, but it has confirmed the development will require at least $1 billion. Gallagher has characterised it as a multi-year billion-dollar investment, with the final cost expected to be released publicly only after construction is complete.

Construction began in late 2024 on the site of a former car park and is expected to support more than 10,000 jobs over the build period. Six cranes are operating on what is described as the largest Commonwealth construction project in Canberra in almost 40 years.

Once the new precinct opens, agencies are expected to begin moving staff as soon as they are reasonably able to from 2029. The shift will also leave some existing offices, including the RG Casey building, to the discretion of private landlords because those assets are privately owned commercial properties; the RG Casey lease is due to expire in 2031.

Our earlier article on Australia’s draft gas reservation scheme highlighted industry criticism that proposed carve-outs could undermine efforts to lower east coast gas prices. We noted concerns that discretionary powers and contract structures could allow major LNG exporters—particularly the Santos-led GLNG venture—to reduce their effective domestic supply obligation, intensifying debate over energy security and affordability.

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