From ambition to recognition

The Canberra offer


Since the 2016 Statement of Ambition, Canberra has faced incredible challenges. Yet we continue to progress and build resilience. We have diversified our economy while focussing on the health and wellbeing of all Canberrans.

Canberra is recognised as a progressive, sustainable and innovative city that values people and ideas.

These are the attributes we showcase to the world.

Photo of people standing in front of a painted mural


We are ambitious for our economic prosperity and improving the lives of our people.

Our progressive values and lifestyle make Canberra a vibrant and beautiful place to live, work, study and do business and invest in.

Canberra is a generous and inclusive community that cares deeply for its people. Our population is highly educated and interested in the world.

The ACT Government’s Wellbeing Framework highlights a commitment to lift the quality of life for all Canberrans.

We are actively working toward reconciliation with First Nation’s peoples. We were the first jurisdiction in Australia to instil a Reconciliation Day public holiday to recognise and celebrate First Nations cultures and achievements.

Our city welcomes and celebrates other cultures and is home to more than 110 diplomatic missions from across the globe. We are a Refugee Welcome Zone, providing a safe haven for people fleeing persecution. We recognise and value the contribution our multicultural communities make to this city.

We work to ensure Canberra is the most LGBTIQ+ welcoming and inclusive city in Australia, and a place where LGBTIQ+ people, their families and communities are visible, valued and respected.

Supporting diversity and a sense of belonging

In 2021, the ACT Government announced a build-to-rent scheme to help create a wider range of housing choices for Canberrans. As an emerging housing type in Australia, build-to-rent will provide greater housing choice and affordable rental tenancies for lower income households.

As Australia’s most LGBTIQ+ welcoming and inclusive city, the ACT Government continues to take action to support the community by banning conversion therapy, making services and government processes more LGBTIQ+ friendly and inclusive and providing supports such as mental health services when and where they’re needed. People also have more control over how and when their sex or gender gets  identified on official documents. Protections are in place for our LGBTIQ+ students and teachers through reforms to our Discrimination Act  1991.

While a strong economy is fundamental for a decent quality of life for Canberrans, it is not the only factor. Governments around the world are recognising that economic growth alone does not account for a community’s success or progress over time.

The ACT Government was the first in Australia to develop a wellbeing framework and adopt it as the lens through which government decisions and investments are made.

The ACT Wellbeing Framework offers an overarching philosophy, highlighting that a great city is more than just a strong economy.

A city that thrives and grows requires its citizens to have a relationship with their surroundings. They should feel connected to, enjoy and live in harmony with the natural and built environments.

Our local arts and cultural scene connects our emotions, ideas, stories and heritage and nourishes our individual and collective wellbeing. Canberra has always been a meeting place for people who embrace creativity and design, going right back to our origins.

Our focus on wellbeing is a key strength; it sets our city apart. The values we hold as a city are welcoming and inclusive. We take our responsibilities to each other, our health and environment seriously.

Canberra is much more than the national capital.

Canberrans are fortunate to have iconic national attractions that tell the Australian story. Through our galleries and museums, Canberra holds Australia’s most valued heritage, and shares this freely. Our parliaments show Australian democracy in action.

Alongside our cultural institutions, we offer stunning natural landscapes and easy access to sport, entertainment and activities. We are well known for our award-winning food and drink, beer, wine and coffee from Canberra and our bountiful region.

People of all ages and interests will find something for them. The Canberra region offers the best of Australia, all in one place.

We have seen the effects of extreme weather events and the need to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. We have embraced the challenge.

Being a sustainable city is central to Canberra’s prosperity: it is known as a place where a healthier, smarter future is possible. We have been named the most sustainable city in the world and the ACT Government is recognised as a leader in this field, nationally and internationally.

Our emission reduction targets, 100% renewable electricity target and work to accelerate the transition to zero emissions are recognised as global excellence in climate change action.

We are managing our population growth by building a compact and efficient city, with lively precincts linked by flexible and efficient transport systems. Our city’s tree-lined streets, surrounding nature reserves and healthy landscapes continue to make it a beautiful and enjoyable place to live.

Building a smarter, healthier, net zero emissions city

In 2020, the ACT achieved its goal to source 100% of its electricity from renewable generators – the most ambitious renewable electricity target in Australia. We did this by pioneering a ‘reverse auction’ process to ensure residents get the best value for their renewable energy.

Canberrans are also improving the energy efficiency of their homes through the Sustainable Household Scheme.

By 2045, Canberra will be a net zero emissions city and we are united in our efforts to get there.

Nature in a city of design

Nature is integral to Canberra’s design. As the nation’s capital, Canberra was designed from its inception in 1913 to be a ‘city in the landscape’. It is nestled among forested hills and situated alongside the Molonglo River and Lake Burley Griffin. Careful planning and design continue to be essential to the city’s liveability for the next 100 years.

Our traditional custodians, the Ngunnawal people have cared for this land for more than 60,000 years. Their knowledge and aspirations are incorporated into the design and delivery of our nature-based infrastructure.

We value nature in improving our mental health and we are rewilding our suburbs to return missing wildlife species to the city.

Canberra has a highly educated population, and our world-class education and research institutions attract students from across Australia and overseas.

We value and invest in the quality education, training and life-long learning critical to our ambitions. This investment keeps us competitive in the global economy and creates opportunities for Canberrans to find secure local jobs.

Our education system supports a range of learning pathways to deliver skilled, job-ready workers. Our system also fosters a culture of innovation and creativity, with institutions that provide first‑class educational opportunities.

With Canberra’s low unemployment, government headquarters and diverse knowledge-based industries, graduating students are spoiled for career opportunities.

CIT Woden will be part of a new precinct for Woden that includes:

  • state-of-the-art learning facilities
  • a safer, light rail ready public transport interchange
  • improved active travel
  • vibrant public spaces to Woden.

Creating new education and innovation precincts

We are building our reputation as the knowledge capital. Our tertiary education institutions are integral to skilling our future workforce. They attract talent from across the globe and add to the life and diversity of the city.

A new $1 billion University of NSW (UNSW) Canberra City campus in Reid and $300 million Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) campus in Woden will grow this reputation.

UNSW Canberra will be home to a new defence and security innovation precinct. This will create the perfect place for academics, companies, government bodies and the community to come together to develop defence and security capability, talent and technology.

University of Canberra (UC) has now firmly established its Health Innovation Precinct, which brings together experts across a range of fields and includes Canberra’s first rehabilitation hospital. As an important part of the Canberra community, UC plays a vital role in skilling our future workforce.

The Australian National University (ANU) is a leader in research that transforms society and creates national capability. From the Centre for Entrepreneurial Agri-Technology to the Institute for Space, ANU continues to be at the forefront of research, commercialisation and innovation.

Skykraft, Liquid Instruments and QuintessenceLabs, all began as R&D within our local institutions. Hotbeds for talent, it’s no surprise that our universities continue to produce truly innovative businesses.

Canberra’s size and scale opens opportunities for business. It’s the right environment for established businesses to grow and new and innovative companies to make a mark.

Industries established in Canberra thrive because of our highly educated workforce and their proximity to research institutions, government and each other.

There is an ease to doing business here with one level of government and access to decision-makers. We are the meeting place for the country. People come to test ideas alongside the people who make them happen, to influence change and to work on the big challenges facing the nation and the world.

The Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) connects businesses with universities, research institutions and investors. It nurtures start-ups and SMEs with high growth potential. Some of Canberra’s most successful businesses were the product of this incubator for ideas.

Canberra Innovation Network

The Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) is a not-for-profit organisation empowering entrepreneurs and start-ups in the ACT.

CBRIN strengthens Canberra’s position as a clever, connected and creative city through enabling budding entrepreneurs and SMEs to be ambitious and succeed.

This community is full of amazing stories of entrepreneurs striving to change our world for the better through innovation and collaboration. – Petr Adamek, CEO of CBRIN

The strong ACT economy means businesses and individuals capitalise on opportunities and continue to grow and develop.

Canberra is easy to navigate. You can build a great network quickly and find the support you need to succeed. Businesses in Canberra are successful because they cannot help but be highly connected. CBRIN also provides early stage support for social enterprise through Millhouse Ventures.

In a time of international competition for talent and investment, Canberra has much to offer. Our unique city has the talent which attracts more talent and the lifestyle and opportunities that keep it in Canberra.

The ACT economy is one of the most resilient in Australia. With low unemployment and an increasingly diverse economy, Canberra’s an ideal place to invest.

A stable public sector, highly educated workforce and a knowledge- and service-based private sector underpin our economy.

Canberra’s business ecosystem is highly innovative and supportive. Entrepreneurs and start-ups are encouraged to attract investment and start their exporting journey.

We are strong in key industries like cyber security, defence, space, renewable energy and advanced technology.

Our education sector, where one in six Canberrans work or study, is a billion-dollar export industry.

Our tourism and hospitality sector offers outstanding experiences for all visitors, whether they come to our city for business or leisure.

As we transition to a post-carbon economy, the ACT is well placed to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities and adopt a more sustainable approach to living and working.