- Australian Institute of Sport Revitalisation project, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Australian Sports Commission
3.1The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) seeks approval from the Committee to proceed with the proposed Australian Institute of Sport Revitalisation project, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
3.2The purpose of the project is to enhance the campus at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra which serves as a central hub for high-performance sports, providing accommodation, training facilities, recovery centres, and sports science services.
3.3The works will deliver a new athletes’ village, a multi-sport dome, and a high-performance training and testing centre. These proposed facilities will support and nurture Australia’s elite athletes and also ensure that the AIS Campus is ready for use in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
3.4The estimated cost of delivery of the project is $249.7 million (excluding GST).
3.5The project was referred to the Committee on 20 November 2024.
Conduct of the inquiry
3.6Following referral, the inquiry was published on the Committee’s website.
3.7The Committee received two submissions and one confidential submission. A list of submissions is available at Appendix A.
3.8On 19 March 2025, the Committee conducted a public and in-camera hearing at Australian Parliament House, Canberra. On 24 March 2025, the Committee conducted a site visit at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Need for the works
3.9In 2023, the Government announced an independent review into infrastructure at the AIS. The proposed works act upon the findings of that review, recommending Commonwealth investment in the AIS to ensure it remains a world class institution able to fully support Australian athletes in the lead-up to international sporting competitions, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
3.10The AIS Campus was established in 1981 and has received minimal upgrades over the past 40 years. The facilities are no longer aligned to the strategy of the ASC, nor are they of world leading quality. Given their current dilapidation, they are also expensive to maintain – with an estimated cost of around $174 million between the financial years of 2021 and 2025 – with this cost predicted to grow.
3.11At the public hearing, the Committee heard about the importance of the AIS for Australian sports and the Australian community:
The Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra has been recognised as a nationally significant institution since it was constructed in 1981. It continues to be an important and iconic symbol of Australia's commitment to sport and the power of sport to unite and inspire the nation. The AIS has been the home of sport in Australia for over 42 years and continues to be critical to the success of athletes and sport we love. The AIS plays a crucial function in connecting our decentralised high-performance sport system and is the only place in Australia where Australian teams can come together and be accommodated in large numbers in a one-stop shop capable of supporting high-performance sports training, education and research. The AIS model has been so successful that it has formed the benchmark for supporting high-performance training and pathways and has been replicated both around Australia and around the world.
Options considered
3.12The ASC considered the following high level options for these works:
- Option 1 – Base case: This option is the continued operation of ageing facilities that are not fit for purpose. Retaining these assets represented a financial liability and a risk to solvency and did not address the project’s need.
- Option 2 – Revitalisation – This option had three sub options:
- Option 2.1 – New Build, to be delivered using a direct fund and build approach as a single integrated project. This was the preferred approach and is explained below.
- Option 2.2 – Refurbishment, to be delivered via a sale and leaseback. It was considered, that while this option would have had a lower initial capital cost compared to option 2.1, it would have significantly and permanently increased operating costs while also reducing control of assets.
- Option 2.3 – Enabling Works, to be delivered using a direct fund and build approach over two distinct phases. This would see option 2.1 carried out in two phases to be undertaken subject to budget bid processes.
- Option 2.1 was the preferred approach for the revitalisation of the AIS. Under this option a project scope was developed based on requirements and an analysis of existing facilities. This option includes: the retention of existing facilities where feasible with some works required to ensure buildings are fit for purpose, several new buildings, the relocation of certain assets, the demolition of surplus buildings, the transfer of community assets to alternative owners and the divestment of surplus land over time – meaning the AIS Campus will be consolidated into a smaller footprint.
- The ASC noted that given the footprint of the new buildings, the operation of the AIS would continue with minimal disruption during the construction period of the project. At the public hearing the ASC commented:
One of the things that we are very conscious of is that we have significant programs and operations onsite that we can't disrupt. The building works will be done in a way to minimise—in fact, we intend to eliminate—impacts onsite. That's part of why the choice to build greenfield was ultimately settled on. One of the initial plans that were put forward for consideration did include the demolition of the existing athletes village, with the construction of the multipurpose training and testing facility to go onto that site. That was deemed non-viable for two reasons: firstly, the disruption and the time that it would take if we had to demolish the original building before we could start construction of the second; and, secondly, we did not receive any funding for demolition within the budget approval.
Scope of the works
3.15The works will deliver three new facilities: an athlete accommodation facility, a multi-sports dome and a High Performance Training and Testing Centre.
3.16The athlete accommodation is a new multi-storey building for elite para and able-bodied athletes. It will provide high quality short, medium and long term accommodation for elite and pre-elite athletes, support staff, and select commercial users. It will include the following:
- around 200 beds, with a mix of one and two-bed rooms grouped around common areas
- supervisor's apartments
- a self-catering kitchen with space for athlete nutrition teaching
- team drop-off, pick-up, and loading area
- lobby, reception, security, back-of-house offices, and service areas
- casual communal internal and external areas
- meeting and tutorial rooms
- laundry facilities for athletes and support staff
- secure storage areas, including an armoury for safe storage of security staff side arms and sporting equipment, built to Australian Federal Government PSP Framework and AFP recommendations
- ASADA drug testing area for residential and non-residential athletes
- universal access.
- The multi-sports dome is an inflatable fabric roofed facility that includes a modified 2 lane athletics track around a large sports pitch that is suitable for multi-sports including flag-football, lacrosse, softball / baseball, hockey, football, rugby union and rugby league training. An ancillary building will be attached to the dome, to provide airlocks, changerooms, lab/analysis space and equipment storage. The dome will be fully para-accessible and climate controlled. It will include the following:
- Athletics track:
- a modified 2/4-lane 400m track
- includes an extended sprint straight, warm-up areas, and zones for jumps and throws
- a full-size rectangular pitch
- suitable for football, rugby union, rugby league, flag football, lacrosse, softball/baseball, hockey, and soccer
- enhanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
- includes HEPA filters for better air quality
- large nets to divide the space
- allows multiple sports and activities to take place at the same time
- equipment and support structures for testing and analysis
- systems designed to support high-performance use
- airlocks for both users and vehicles (e.g., forklifts, medical assistance)
- for large sports equipment
- includes temporary timber sports flooring, hurdles, goal posts, and protective padding
- Ancillary building attached to the main structure with:
- entry airlocks for users and vehicles
- facility management office
- athlete change rooms and coaches’ rooms
- multi-purpose spaces for meetings, physio sessions, group analysis
- physiology lab space
- storage for lab and testing equipment.
- The High Performance Training and Testing Centre will replace ageing training, testing and teaching spaces. The facility will enable the effective delivery of cutting-edge treatment, research, analysis, athlete rehabilitation, injury management and recovery of athletes to maximise training, testing, and teaching opportunities. It will include the following:
- Multi-sport and gymnastics area:
- functional training and testing for Olympic and Paralympic sports
- includes sports such as gymnastics, basketball, netball, tennis, badminton, volleyball, cricket, skateboarding, sport climbing, and BMX
- a versatile area for multi-sport training, testing, and research
- suitable for sports or activities that need lower ceiling heights
- Strength and conditioning space:
- dedicated space for AIS strength training, testing, rehabilitation, and research
- coach support areas: available in all training and testing zones
- storage: for all training and testing equipment
- change rooms: four change rooms for athletes, coaches, and staff. At least two can be separated for minors or visiting teams and are suitable for both para and able-bodied users
- sports medicine and rehabilitation centre: includes medical suites for visiting teams and areas for treatment, research, testing, and data collection
- breakout areas: for athletes, coaches, and staff, with access to self-service nutrition and hydration (including coffee)
- main entry space: a double-height area with stairs and a digital "AIS Hall of Fame"
- office and lab spaces: flexible spaces for various uses
- conferencing and teaching spaces: small, medium, and large rooms (for 120, 75, and 30 people) with support spaces, breakout areas, and storage
- cold shell space: an unfinished area with external public and vehicular access, potentially for a commercial medical imaging business
- infrastructure: HVAC, vertical transport, fire egress, plant rooms, and other services to support different building uses and users.
- The project’s scope of works also includes:
- clearing of the land and minor earthworks to enable development (all demolition excluded)
- urban public space landscaping including upgrades to the existing hard and soft landscaping around the new buildings
- water reticulation, stormwater and sewer drainage, electrical reticulation, natural gas reticulation, security, and communications reticulation.
Community and stakeholder consultation
3.20The review that led to the proposed works included wide and extensive consultation, including one-on-one consultations with over 50 groups representing all the major sports, the Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, Commonwealth Games Australia, Sport Integrity Australia, state and territory based institutes and academies, the ASC, elite coaches and athletes including current and former Olympians, Paralympians, ancillary professionals, government officials and industry veterans.
3.21The ASC states that the design of the High Performance Training and Testing Centre was developed in consultation with AIS staff and athlete representatives.
3.22The Committee received a submission about the proposed works from the Canberra Region Old School Skaters (CROSS), advocating for a value for money calculation to be made in relation to money spent on alternative and extreme sports, such as skateboarding, given the success Australians have achieved in non-traditional Olympic sports in the past few Olympics. When asked about the inclusion of emerging or non-traditional sports in the design of the proposed works at the hearing, the ASC responding in the following way:
…a very significant point of feedback across our stakeholder groups was that obviously the sports that were relevant and most important to Australia back in 1981, when we were formed, aren't necessarily the same as in 2025 and beyond. So, absolutely, that has been an ongoing gap in delivery for us. I'm proud to say that, yes, the new facilities will absolutely enable us to better support sports like climbing, BMX, skate and others.
Cost of the works
3.23The project’s budget is $249.7 million (excluding GST). The cost estimate was provided by Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) at a P80 cost confidence level.
3.24At the public hearing the Committee asked the ASC if the proposed works would adequately maximise the opportunities for Australian athletes in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games. The ASC responded that the funding provided for these works is adequate, but that the industry always appreciates more financial resources:
With the funding that's available and the opportunity that we've been given through the approval of this budget, we are confident that we will be able to significantly support and uplift in modernising the delivery and approach for athletes as they prepare for Brisbane 2032. As I'm sure you would understand, sport, like many industries, is one of those that will tell you that we never have enough and that we always need more.
Revenue
3.25The athlete accommodation facility may be used by external groups, and may generate revenue for the ASC.
3.26The independent review, A fit for purpose Australian Institute of Sport: An independent review outlines the importance of an increase in revenue to support the running costs of the AIS. Potential sources of revenue that may be investigated following the proposed works are:
- additional defence uses of the AIS
- commercial access
- opportunities for allied health services and professionals to establish a presence in under-utilised AIS buildings.
Public value
3.27Sporting success at international events has far reaching benefits, and therefore, the proposed works have the potential to be associated with great value to the public. Below are some examples:
- at a personal level, athletes and support staff will experience a better working environment and therefore the possibility of better sporting outcomes
- enhanced sense of national pride and identity for Australians
- the inspiration of future generations, to pursue and enjoy sport, regardless of the competition level
- improved local community access to quality sporting facilities
- improved strength of sporting bodies
- improved destination appeal of Australia for hosting major sporting events
- improved international reputation for Australia in sports research capabilities
- increased demand for Australian sports industry producers.
Committee comment
3.28The Committee did not identify any issues or concerns with the proposal, and it is satisfied that the project has merit in terms of need, scope and cost.
3.29The Committee acknowledges the important role the AIS plays in promoting Australian sporting excellence. The Committee welcomes the construction of these facilities which will enhance the AIS's capacity to support high-performance sports training, education, and research, ensuring that Australia remains at the forefront of international sport.
3.30The Committee notes that planning for the construction of the new facilities ensures that the works will not disrupt the training regimes of current athletes, which is seen as especially critical in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
3.31The Committee is satisfied with the inclusion of facilities for non-traditional sports in the new development at the Australian Institute of Sport. This expansion will provide opportunities for a broader range of athletes to benefit from the AIS's high-performance training environment, further promoting diversity and inclusivity in Australian sport.
3.32Having regard to its role and responsibilities contained in the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the Committee is of the view that this project signifies value for money for the Commonwealth and constitutes a project which is fit-for-purpose, having regard to the established need.
3.33The Committee recommends that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the following proposed works: Australian Institute of Sport Revitalisation project, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
3.34Proponent entities must notify the Committee of any changes to the project scope, time, cost, function or design. The Committee also requires that a post implementation report be provided within three months of project completion. A report template can be found on the Committee’s website.