Territory Infrastructure Loans
Explore the impactful partnership between the Northern Territory Government’s Territory Growth Initiative and NAIF, boosting local employment and infrastructure growth. Learn about Territory Infrastructure Loans, eligibility, and public impact.
September 2021
Financing Partnerships
Northern Territory
NAIF’s loan is to the Northern Territory Government (NTG). The project is a financing partnership with the NTG’s Territory Growth Initiative (TGI) to deliver a growth capex concessional lending program in the Northern Territory (Territory Infrastructure Loans). Eligible projects will be across multiple business sectors.
Proponent Background
The Territory Growth Initiative (TGI) provides access to financial support for eligible high-growth potential businesses, to help establish or expand operations and for projects that may not otherwise be able to readily access capital in the Northern Territory.
The TGI aims to:
- build a skilled workforce
- support business growth
- unlock economic activity
- accelerate enabling infrastructure-led projects.
Project Overview
The Territory Infrastructure Loans program was established through the Northern Territory Government’s Territory Growth Initiative
The program has a total budget of $66.7 million and supports the development and expansion of infrastructure, employment, and the Territory economy.
The loans provided through this program will also focus on improving outcomes for First Nations Territorians.
The Territory Growth Initiative is a dynamic co-investment initiative, aimed at fostering growth and opportunity within the Northern Territory.
Loan details
The Territory Infrastructure Loans program offers loans to businesses looking to accelerate the delivery of smaller infrastructure-led projects across the Northern Territory.
The loan amount may be up to $10 million, subject to meeting specific conditions. There is no minimum amount. Individual loans may have a duration of up to 10 years.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Territory Infrastructure Loans program, businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Have an infrastructure-led project located in the Northern Territory
- Demonstrate high growth potential and job creation opportunities
- Possess sound governance, management, and operating systems
- Be registered for corporate and tax purposes in Australia.
Please note that eligibility criteria are subject to change, so it is important to stay updated on any revisions or modifications to the program’s requirements. Find out more or apply.
How We Helped
NAIF’s support of the Northern Territory Government’s Territory Infrastructure Loans program will support the development and expansion of enabling infrastructure, employment and economic growth, as well as improve outcomes for First Nations Territorians.
Small loans can bridge the gap and provide essential financial resources to individuals, businesses, and communities that might otherwise struggle to secure financing.
Public Benefit
The investment from NAIF will help eligible businesses boost local employment and accelerate infrastructure and business growth.
The partnership between NAIF and the Territory Growth Initiative will broaden the reach of NAIF and make financing more accessible.
Businesses that may wish to take advantage of the scheme come from growing Northern Territory sectors such as agribusiness, tourism, resources and manufacturing.
The project is NAIF’s first on-lending project.
The $66.7 million program ($50 million from NAIF, $16.7 million from the NT Government) is predicted to support approximately $110.1 million in Gross Territory Product and 532 full-time equivalent jobs in the Northern Territory.
Related Links
Indigenous Engagement
- There are numerous Traditional Owner groups in the Northern Territory.
First Nations people are a significant population of the Northern Territory being the highest proportion of First Nations people in any Australian jurisdiction. This culturally rich and diverse population maintains some of the oldest continuous cultures in the world, with deep-rooted knowledge systems and strong connections to country. Many live in remote areas, where traditional practices, law, and kinship structures remain central to community life. Traditional Owners are key to the Territory’s identity leading in the arts, language preservation, environmental management, and community driven initiatives. With a young and vibrant population, Aboriginal Territorians play a vital and growing role in shaping the Territory’s future bringing cultural strength, innovation, and deep local knowledge that will continue to drive sustainable development and enrich the Northern Territory for generations to come.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Commitments
- The Territory Infrastructure Loans Program will monitor and report on First Nations participation, including the number and value of First Nations contracts, approved applications, employment outcomes, and internal workforce representation.
- First Nations business perspectives will be embedded through engagement of a qualified advisor to support the Infrastructure Loans Program’s Investment Committee with decisions, and the Program will partner with an Indigenous business advisory service to support Program applicants in identifying and engaging Territory First Nations businesses and to promote available financial support.
- Mandatory cultural capability training to all staff to be delivered by an NT Traditional Owner group or endorsed organisation.
- The Program will track and report on direct and subcontracting arrangements with Indigenous businesses to strengthen First Nations involvement in project delivery.
- Applicants must align their commitment to First Nations workforce and business outcomes with the size of their loan, and may implement initiatives such as Reconciliation Action Plans, First Nations employment, training and contracting outcomes, and community-driven programs.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Outcomes
- In 2023, the Territory Infrastructure Loans Program was launched, and TGI engaged an Indigenous-owned NT business, Cross Cultural Consultants, to deliver cultural capability training to all staff. A partnership with the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2023.
- In early 2024, TGI continued First Nations engagement by targeting NTIBN members in Darwin and Katherine. Efforts to appoint a First Nations representative to the proponent’s Investment Committee progressed, with a formal offer extended. The NTG referred several businesses to NTIBN for business case preparations and to develop and refine their Indigenous Engagement Strategy (IES) obligations.
- By late 2024, Environmental Keystones had received $5.59m through the Territory Infrastructure Loans Program. The NTG remained compliant with its IES commitments, continued to raise program awareness among NTIBN members in Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, and supported further applicants through NTIBN referrals.
