The Federal Government, through the High Speed Rail Authority, is progressing the delivery of a high-speed rail network between Melbourne and Brisbane via Sydney.
The first stage of the network connects Newcastle with Western Sydney Airport via Sydney Central. The preferred route includes stations at Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Sydney Central, Parramatta, and Western Sydney Airport. Stage 1 will be delivered across three phases:
- Stage 1A – Newcastle to the Central Coast: construction proposed to commence 2027, operational by 2037
- Stage 1B – Central Coast to Sydney Central: construction proposed to commence 2027, operational by 2039
- Stage 1C – Sydney Central to Western Sydney Airport: construction proposed to commence 2034, operational by 2043
The estimated P90 project cost is $61.2 billion for Stages 1A and 1B, and $32.4 billion for Stage 1C.
The project scope includes:
- a dedicated high-speed rail alignment between Newcastle and Western Sydney Airport
- new stations at Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Sydney Central, Parramatta, and Western Sydney Airport
- improvements to integrated transport networks
- trains capable of speeds greater than 250 km/h
- stabling, maintenance, rail systems and power upgrades, and
- corridor protection for future connections to Brisbane and Melbourne
Funding contributions
| Federal Government |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | High Speed Rail Authority |
| Procurement note: | The Business Case identifies 17 separate packages required to construct Stage 1A and 1B to be delivered using a variety of models. A Hybrid Incentivised Target Cost (Hybrid ITC) procurement model is expected to be the primary model. Packages expected to be procured through this approach include:
Outside of the standardised Hybrid ITC model, the following procurement approaches have been identified:
Procurement approaches are largely expected to remain consistent following an extension to Stage 1C. |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Sep 2022 | The Federal Government allocated $500 million for planning, corridor acquisition and early works for the Sydney to Newcastle High Speed Rail as part of the 2022-23 Federal Budget (October). |
| Jan 2024 | The Federal Government released $78.8 million for the development of a business case for the Sydney to Newcastle section from the initial allocation of $500 million made in September 2022. This funding was allocated over three years from FY2023-24. |
| Mar 2024 | The Federal Government issued a Request for Tender (RFT) for eight work packages to support the delivery of the High Speed Rail Authority’s business case for the Sydney to Newcastle section of the proposed high-speed rail network. The work packages available for tender are: Project Controls Services; Network Rail Operations Planning Services; Economics, Funding and Financing, Demand Modelling and Economic Development Strategy; Transport Land Use and Property Advisory Services; Commercial, Delivery Strategy and Industry Engagement Services; First Nations People Participation and Engagement Services; First Nations People Cultural and Heritage Advisory Services; and Technical, Advisory, Environment and Sustainability, Community and Stakeholder Engagement. RFTs closed between 12 and 19 April 2024. |
| Jun 2024 | The Federal Government awarded contracts for the eight work packages to support the Business Case for the project. The successful contractors are: - Project Control Services (Costs, Schedule and Risks) - KPMG - Economics, Funding and Financing, Demand Modelling and Economic Development Strategy - EY - Commercial, Delivery Strategy and Industry Engagement - EY - Transport, Land Use and Property - WSP - Technical Advisory, Environment and Sustainability, Community and Stakeholder Engagement - WSP and Arcadis - High Speed Rail Network Operations Planning - Arup - First Nations Participation and Engagement - GHD, and - First Nations Culture and Heritage - GHD. Additionally, RPS will be leading the Business Case management. |
| Feb 2026 | The High Speed Rail Authority released the Business Case for Stage One of a national high speed rail network. Stage One, linking Newcastle with Western Sydney International Airport via Sydney Central, will be delivered across three separate phases, with Stages 1A and 1B to be prioritised. The Business Case identifies an estimated project cost of $61.2 billion for Stages 1A and 1B, and an additional $32.4 billion for Stage 1C. The Business Case find a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 0.9-1.2 for Stages 1A and 1B, and a BCR of 0.8-1 across all stages of the project. Additionally, the Business Case outlines the expected procurement structure for all works packages across the project. Relevant contracts across Stage 1A and 1B are expected to progress to an 18-month development phase, comprising a compeditive Early Contractor Involvement Package, with two contractors per package. |
| Mar 2026 | The High Speed Rail Authority issued a Request for Tenders for seven advisory contracts. The contracts include: Business Operations and Maintenance Adviser; Delivery Partner; Commercial and Transactions Adviser; Demand Forecasting Adviser; Environmental Planning and Assessment Adviser; Strategic Property Acquisition Adviser; and Technical and Architectural Adviser. All contracts are for an initial two-year term, with additional three-year and further five-year extension options. |
| Mar 2026 | The High Speed Rail Authority announced it is hosting an industry briefing on 21 April to commence procurement for the first two major contract packages for Line 1. Following the briefing, tender documents will be issued for major tunnelling and station civil works, and the supply of high speed trains and associated systems. The briefing will also provide further information on other major procurement activities during the current development phases including funding and financing, future construction packages and the Advanced Manufacturing Facility. |
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
