What projects cost vs what was budgeted
$134.24 billion
In cost increases across 104 federal and state government projects, sourced from Auditor-General reports across 5 states. 80 still in progress, 24 completed.
Filters and sort
104 projects
Sorted by overrun $- FederalIn progressInland RailIndependent review found costs increased from $9.3B (2017) to at least $31.4B. Northern sections placed on indefinite hold.TransportStarted 2018$22,100,000,000+238% over budgetBudget $9,300,000,000Cost $31,400,000,000Completion 2027
- NSWIn progressSydney Metro WestNSW Audit Office reported costs estimated at $27-29B, up from the initial $12B estimate, due to scope and market pressures.TransportStarted 2020$16,000,000,000+133% over budgetBudget $12,000,000,000Cost $28,000,000,000Completion 2030 > 2032 (+2y)
- QLDIn progressCross River RailQAO reported the project's cost increased from $5.4B at 2017 approval to over $19B with services delayed to 2029.TransportStarted 2019$13,600,000,000+252% over budgetBudget $5,400,000,000Cost $19,000,000,000Completion 2024 > 2029 (+5y)
- NSWIn progressSydney Metro City and SouthwestNSW Audit Office reported costs increased from $12B business case to $22-23B due to COVID, inflation and scope.TransportStarted 2017$11,000,000,000+92% over budgetBudget $12,000,000,000Cost $23,000,000,000Completion 2024 > 2026 (+2y)
- VICIn progressNorth East LinkVAGO reported costs increased from $15.8B to $26.2B following design and scope changes in 2018.TransportStarted 2019$10,410,000,000+66% over budgetBudget $15,800,000,000Cost $26,210,000,000Completion 2027 > 2031 (+4y)
- FederalIn progressSnowy 2.0Costs grew from $2B announced in 2017 to $12B after a 2023 contract reset. The cited 2022 ANAO audit examined early-implementation governance.EnergyStarted 2019$10,000,000,000+500% over budgetBudget $2,000,000,000Cost $12,000,000,000Completion 2024-25 > 2029 (+4y 6m)
- QLDIn progressCopperString 2.0QAO reported CopperString transmission project costs grew from $5B to $13.9B under QIC oversight review.EnergyStarted 2023$8,900,000,000+178% over budgetBudget $5,000,000,000Cost $13,900,000,000Completion 2029 > 2032 (+3y)
- VICIn progressWest Gate TunnelCost rose from the $5.5B announced in 2015 to about $10B by completion, after contaminated-soil disputes and scope changes. The cited 2019 VAGO audit valued it at $6.7B.TransportStarted 2018$4,500,000,000+82% over budgetBudget $5,500,000,000Cost $10,000,000,000Completion 2022 > 2025 (+3y)
- NSWCompletedWestConnexNSW Audit Office found $4.3B of related costs were funded outside the $16.8B WestConnex budget.TransportStarted 2015$4,260,000,000+25% over budgetBudget $16,812,000,000Cost $21,072,000,000Completion 2023
- QLDIn progressBorumba Pumped Hydro Energy StorageQAO reported estimated costs increased from $14.2B to $18.4B due to scope, escalation and labour costs.EnergyStarted 2023$4,200,000,000+30% over budgetBudget $14,200,000,000Cost $18,400,000,000Completion 2032 > 2035 (+3y)
- FederalIn progressOneSKY Air Traffic Management SystemANAO reported program costs grew from $906M approved in 2014 to over $4.1B, with delivery delayed by more than 8 years.ITStarted 2014$3,204,000,000+354% over budgetBudget $906,000,000Cost $4,110,000,000Completion 2018 > 2026 (+8y)
- QLDIn progressParadise Dam Improvement ProjectQAO reported the project's cost increased from $1.2B to $4.4B after the dam wall required a complete rebuild.OtherStarted 2020$3,200,000,000+267% over budgetBudget $1,200,000,000Cost $4,400,000,000
- VICIn progressLevel Crossing Removal ProgramVAGO reported program costs grew from the $5-6B election commitment to $8.3B as of July 2017.TransportStarted 2015$2,800,000,000+51% over budgetBudget $5,500,000,000Cost $8,300,000,000Completion 2022 > 2025 (+3y)
- QLDIn progressQueensland Train Manufacturing ProgramQAO reported the train manufacturing program budget increased from $7.1B to $9.5B post-tender.TransportStarted 2022$2,400,000,000+34% over budgetBudget $7,100,000,000Cost $9,500,000,000Completion 2032
- VICCompletedMelbourne Metro TunnelVAGO reported total project costs increased from $10.9B approved budget to over $12.8B.TransportStarted 2017$1,900,000,000+17% over budgetBudget $10,900,000,000Cost $12,800,000,000Completion 2025 (+9m)
- QLDIn progressCoomera Connector Stage 1QAO reported the Coomera Connector cost estimate increased from $2.2B to $3.5B during construction.TransportStarted 2022$1,300,000,000+59% over budgetBudget $2,200,000,000Cost $3,500,000,000Completion 2025 > 2027 (+2y)
- NSWCompletedCBD and South East Light RailNSW Audit Office reported total project costs exceeded $3.1B, above the $2.1B revised 2014 budget.TransportStarted 2015$1,000,000,000+48% over budgetBudget $2,100,000,000Cost $3,100,000,000Completion 2018 > 2020 (+2y)
- QLDIn progressRockhampton Ring RoadQAO reported the Rockhampton Ring Road estimate increased from $1.1B to $2B before main works began.TransportStarted 2025$900,000,000+82% over budgetBudget $1,100,000,000Cost $2,000,000,000Completion 2028 > 2030 (+2y)
- NSWIn progressCritical Communications Enhancement ProgramNSW Audit Office reported estimated capital cost grew from $400M in 2016 to $1.293B, with completion delayed seven years to 2027.ITStarted 2016$893,000,000+223% over budgetBudget $400,000,000Cost $1,293,000,000Completion 2020 > 2027 (+7y)
- NSWIn progressNew Bankstown HospitalNSW Audit Office reported Bankstown Hospital investment increased from $1.3B to $2B.HealthStarted 2022$700,000,000+54% over budgetBudget $1,300,000,000Cost $2,000,000,000Completion 2028 > 2032 (+4y)
- FederalIn progressHunter Class Frigate Design ContractANAO reported the Hunter class design contract increased by $693M (36%) through 36 price-impacting changes.DefenceStarted 2018$693,000,000+36% over budgetBudget $1,904,000,000Cost $2,597,000,000Completion 2024 > 2026 (+1y 6m)
- FederalIn progressCollins Class Submarine Life of Type ExtensionANAO found the LOTE design contract grew from $125M to $813M through 53 amendments, with accumulated delays.DefenceStarted 2022$688,000,000+550% over budgetBudget $125,000,000Cost $813,000,000Completion 2026 > 2032 (+6y)
- VICIn progressMurray Basin Rail Project (regional various)VAGO reported the project's TEI increased from $220M to $886M.TransportStarted 2014$665,720,000+303% over budgetBudget $220,000,000Cost $885,720,000Completion 2018
- VICIn progressBuilding a world class hospital for Frankston families (Frankston)VAGO reported the project's TEI increased from $562M to $1.1B.HealthStarted 2019$558,084,000+99% over budgetBudget $562,000,000Cost $1,120,084,000Completion 2025 > 2026 (+9m)
- VICIn progressBuilding a better hospital for Melbourne's inner west (Footscray)VAGO reported the project's TEI increased from $1.5B to $2B.HealthStarted 2019$503,605,000+34% over budgetBudget $1,495,000,000Cost $1,998,605,000Completion 2025 (+3m)
| Project | State | Sector | Status | Start | Completion | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Rail Independent review found costs increased from $9.3B (2017) to at least $31.4B. Northern sections placed on indefinite hold. | Federal | Transport | In progress | 2018 | $9,300,000,000 | $31,400,000,000 | $22,100,000,000 | +238% | 2027 |
| Sydney Metro West NSW Audit Office reported costs estimated at $27-29B, up from the initial $12B estimate, due to scope and market pressures. | NSW | Transport | In progress | 2020 | $12,000,000,000 | $28,000,000,000 | $16,000,000,000 | +133% | 2030 2032 +2y |
| Cross River Rail QAO reported the project's cost increased from $5.4B at 2017 approval to over $19B with services delayed to 2029. | QLD | Transport | In progress | 2019 | $5,400,000,000 | $19,000,000,000 | $13,600,000,000 | +252% | 2024 2029 +5y |
| Sydney Metro City and Southwest NSW Audit Office reported costs increased from $12B business case to $22-23B due to COVID, inflation and scope. | NSW | Transport | In progress | 2017 | $12,000,000,000 | $23,000,000,000 | $11,000,000,000 | +92% | 2024 2026 +2y |
| North East Link VAGO reported costs increased from $15.8B to $26.2B following design and scope changes in 2018. | VIC | Transport | In progress | 2019 | $15,800,000,000 | $26,210,000,000 | $10,410,000,000 | +66% | 2027 2031 +4y |
| Snowy 2.0 Costs grew from $2B announced in 2017 to $12B after a 2023 contract reset. The cited 2022 ANAO audit examined early-implementation governance. | Federal | Energy | In progress | 2019 | $2,000,000,000 | $12,000,000,000 | $10,000,000,000 | +500% | 2024-25 2029 +4y 6m |
| CopperString 2.0 QAO reported CopperString transmission project costs grew from $5B to $13.9B under QIC oversight review. | QLD | Energy | In progress | 2023 | $5,000,000,000 | $13,900,000,000 | $8,900,000,000 | +178% | 2029 2032 +3y |
| West Gate Tunnel Cost rose from the $5.5B announced in 2015 to about $10B by completion, after contaminated-soil disputes and scope changes. The cited 2019 VAGO audit valued it at $6.7B. | VIC | Transport | In progress | 2018 | $5,500,000,000 | $10,000,000,000 | $4,500,000,000 | +82% | 2022 2025 +3y |
| WestConnex NSW Audit Office found $4.3B of related costs were funded outside the $16.8B WestConnex budget. | NSW | Transport | Completed | 2015 | $16,812,000,000 | $21,072,000,000 | $4,260,000,000 | +25% | 2023 |
| Borumba Pumped Hydro Energy Storage QAO reported estimated costs increased from $14.2B to $18.4B due to scope, escalation and labour costs. | QLD | Energy | In progress | 2023 | $14,200,000,000 | $18,400,000,000 | $4,200,000,000 | +30% | 2032 2035 +3y |
| OneSKY Air Traffic Management System ANAO reported program costs grew from $906M approved in 2014 to over $4.1B, with delivery delayed by more than 8 years. | Federal | IT | In progress | 2014 | $906,000,000 | $4,110,000,000 | $3,204,000,000 | +354% | 2018 2026 +8y |
| Paradise Dam Improvement Project QAO reported the project's cost increased from $1.2B to $4.4B after the dam wall required a complete rebuild. | QLD | Other | In progress | 2020 | $1,200,000,000 | $4,400,000,000 | $3,200,000,000 | +267% | - |
| Level Crossing Removal Program VAGO reported program costs grew from the $5-6B election commitment to $8.3B as of July 2017. | VIC | Transport | In progress | 2015 | $5,500,000,000 | $8,300,000,000 | $2,800,000,000 | +51% | 2022 2025 +3y |
| Queensland Train Manufacturing Program QAO reported the train manufacturing program budget increased from $7.1B to $9.5B post-tender. | QLD | Transport | In progress | 2022 | $7,100,000,000 | $9,500,000,000 | $2,400,000,000 | +34% | 2032 |
| Melbourne Metro Tunnel VAGO reported total project costs increased from $10.9B approved budget to over $12.8B. | VIC | Transport | Completed | 2017 | $10,900,000,000 | $12,800,000,000 | $1,900,000,000 | +17% | 2025 +9m |
| Coomera Connector Stage 1 QAO reported the Coomera Connector cost estimate increased from $2.2B to $3.5B during construction. | QLD | Transport | In progress | 2022 | $2,200,000,000 | $3,500,000,000 | $1,300,000,000 | +59% | 2025 2027 +2y |
| CBD and South East Light Rail NSW Audit Office reported total project costs exceeded $3.1B, above the $2.1B revised 2014 budget. | NSW | Transport | Completed | 2015 | $2,100,000,000 | $3,100,000,000 | $1,000,000,000 | +48% | 2018 2020 +2y |
| Rockhampton Ring Road QAO reported the Rockhampton Ring Road estimate increased from $1.1B to $2B before main works began. | QLD | Transport | In progress | 2025 | $1,100,000,000 | $2,000,000,000 | $900,000,000 | +82% | 2028 2030 +2y |
| Critical Communications Enhancement Program NSW Audit Office reported estimated capital cost grew from $400M in 2016 to $1.293B, with completion delayed seven years to 2027. | NSW | IT | In progress | 2016 | $400,000,000 | $1,293,000,000 | $893,000,000 | +223% | 2020 2027 +7y |
| New Bankstown Hospital NSW Audit Office reported Bankstown Hospital investment increased from $1.3B to $2B. | NSW | Health | In progress | 2022 | $1,300,000,000 | $2,000,000,000 | $700,000,000 | +54% | 2028 2032 +4y |
| Hunter Class Frigate Design Contract ANAO reported the Hunter class design contract increased by $693M (36%) through 36 price-impacting changes. | Federal | Defence | In progress | 2018 | $1,904,000,000 | $2,597,000,000 | $693,000,000 | +36% | 2024 2026 +1y 6m |
| Collins Class Submarine Life of Type Extension ANAO found the LOTE design contract grew from $125M to $813M through 53 amendments, with accumulated delays. | Federal | Defence | In progress | 2022 | $125,000,000 | $813,000,000 | $688,000,000 | +550% | 2026 2032 +6y |
| Murray Basin Rail Project (regional various) VAGO reported the project's TEI increased from $220M to $886M. | VIC | Transport | In progress | 2014 | $220,000,000 | $885,720,000 | $665,720,000 | +303% | 2018 |
| Building a world class hospital for Frankston families (Frankston) VAGO reported the project's TEI increased from $562M to $1.1B. | VIC | Health | In progress | 2019 | $562,000,000 | $1,120,084,000 | $558,084,000 | +99% | 2025 2026 +9m |
| Building a better hospital for Melbourne's inner west (Footscray) VAGO reported the project's TEI increased from $1.5B to $2B. | VIC | Health | In progress | 2019 | $1,495,000,000 | $1,998,605,000 | $503,605,000 | +34% | 2025 +3m |
Sources
Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) · Ongoing
Federal project audits including the annual Defence Major Projects Report.
Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) · Annual
Annual report covering 113+ Victorian government projects.
Queensland Audit Office (QAO) · Annual
Annual report on Queensland major capital works.
Audit Office of New South Wales · Annual
Annual review of NSW major capital projects.
Office of the Auditor General, Western Australia · Annual
Annual transparency report on WA major infrastructure and IT projects.
Refreshed 25 May 2026 · Caveats