The Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030 is the framework to grow Australia’s critical minerals sector.
Since the release of the Critical Minerals Strategy in 2023, global competition for critical minerals has intensified and concentrated supply chains have emerged as a strategic vulnerability for many economies. Critical minerals are no longer a resources issue. They are central to national security, economic resilience and industrial capability.
As countries strengthen their efforts to secure supply and develop new critical minerals industries, Australia can play a larger role in the industries and technologies that are shaping the global economy. This update sets out the Australian Government’s progress since 2023 and how we will continue to draw on our strengths to attract investment, expand processing and refining, and support more diverse and secure supply chains.
The updated strategy sharpens focus on the priorities, actions and partnerships to deliver Australia's vision for the sector. It places greater emphasis on national security, economic resilience and focuses on international partnerships, and targets government effort where it can have the greatest impact across the critical minerals value chain.
Australia's objective is not simply to extract critical minerals, but to capture more value from our resources, strengthen sovereign capability and support long‑term economic growth. This means expanding processing and refining where Australia can build a comparative advantage, support new project development, and ensure the sector contributes to broader national priorities, including a Future Made in Australia.
Australia is uniquely placed to seize this opportunity. We combine significant critical minerals resources with world‑class mining expertise, a stable investment environment and growing processing capability. Together with our strong international partnerships, these strengths position Australia to become a supplier of choice for the industries and economies that depend on critical minerals.
The strategy's vision is enduring. By 2030, Australia will be a globally significant producer of extracted and processed critical minerals. This will help strengthen Australia's national security and economic resilience, diversify supply chains and support energy security, the global transition to net zero, and a Future Made in Australia.
The strategy sets out government priorities across 6 focus areas to guide action over the coming years. Success will require collaboration between governments, industry, investors, researchers, communities and international partners.
This update delivers on the Australian Government's commitment to review the strategy and ensure it remains aligned with Australia's national interests and the rapidly evolving global environment.
Critical Minerals Strategy focus areas
| Focus area | Success outcomes |
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| Accelerating strategically important projects to production |
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| Attracting investment and building international partnerships |
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| First Nations engagement and benefit sharing |
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| Showcase Australia as a world leading, high‑standard producer at scale |
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| Lifting competitiveness through coordinated infrastructure development and efficient regulatory systems |
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| Growing a skilled workforce |
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