Budget 2026: AMTA welcomes reforms to unblock “costly and avoidable” infrastructure delays

13 May 2026: New measures to cut red tape for telecommunications infrastructure approvals have the potential to unlock millions in investments and productivity across the nation, according to the peak body for the mobile telecommunications industry.

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) welcomed the Federal Government’s specific commitment to modernising the Telecommunications Act 1997 to make approvals more efficient.
In addition, the Budget includes a $500 million investment to establish nationally consistent, streamlined approval pathways – an initiative the telecommunications industry is keen to leverage to support faster and more efficient network deployment.

The initiatives were announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget unveiled by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on 12 May. AMTA CEO Louise Hyland said while details were emerging, the announcement appeared to be “clear, sensible policy” that reflected the real and growing needs to modernise and standardise regulatory and planning frameworks. “Strong and reliable mobile telecommunications have never been more
important, but the current system is slow and inconsistent, often resulting in costly and avoidable delays,” Ms Hyland said.

“This is a significant investment from the Federal Government and if coupled with the commitment to review the Act, we expect it will contribute to cutting significant red tape for mobile network infrastructure applications, as well as avoiding double ups with State and Territory controls.”

AMTA’s report Future of Mobile: Reforms to Modernise Australia’s Telecommunications, released in March this year, advocated strongly for reforms to the Telecommunications Act, as well as approval processes to be made consistent between States and Territories.

The report found just a 10 per cent improvement in regulatory practice would likely deliver a four per cent uplift in telecommunications investment – equivalent to around $430 million annually. This would be enough to accelerate the delivery between 150 and 200 mobile sites nationally each year – improving coverage for 250,000 Australians sooner. This in turn would generate between $120 million and $160 million in economic benefits through earlier access to reliable connectivity.

Ms Hyland said: “Right now there are many communities in Australia where residents are crying out for improved connectivity, but tower applications have been tied up in council red tape for hundreds of days. “Delivering a more coordinated, nationally consistent and future-focused framework is something we should all be striving for. “Frankly – improving these processes cannot come soon enough. AMTA will work closely with the Federal Government to ensure these reforms deliver real and necessary change.”

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