March 20, 2026

New report underscores transport as a $22 trillion national asset: Scyne and Transport Australia urge strategic investment for future Australia

New report underscores transport as a $22 trillion national asset: Scyne and Transport Australia urge strategic investment for future Australia

Scyne, a leading Australian public-purpose professional services company, has unveiled a significant collaborative report with Transport Australia: "Valuing Australia's Transport Network". Alongside alternative valuations of Australia's critical transport infrastructure, this publication repositions the transport network as a foundational national asset essential for the nation's economic prosperity, social cohesion, and everyday functionality.  

The report aims to shift the public perception around transport from an asset taken for granted to recognising its immense value in what it enables. In seeking to measure its value, the report presents:  

  • Australia’s land transport infrastructure asset replacement value, estimated between $10 and $22 trillion.
  • The time Australians spend travelling across the network. With around five billion hours each year, using standard value of time methods, implying an annual value of around $100 billion.
  • The transport sectors contribution to directly fuel Australia’s economy with approximately $189 billion annually (9% of GDP).
  • It indirectly underpins almost all of the nation’s $2.1 trillion GDP.

However, the report seeks more so to shift from the figures to transports value in its impact on Australians daily: reliable transport underpins our jobs, drives our economy, connects our communities, provides access to essential services, and is crucial for national resilience during crises. The report highlights how strategic investment in transport is a powerful lever for achieving national goals across sustainability, social equity, and economic performance, directly translating into better quality of life, increased productivity, and a more connected, resilient Australia for everyone.

Raelee Meyers, Managing Director at Scyne and co-author of the report, commented:

“Almost every economic activity in Australia depends on the country’s land transport network. While alternative measures highlight its enormous value - from the 5 billion hours Australians spend travelling on it each year to the $10-$22 trillion it might cost to replace it – it is the value it enables that matters.
It is time to shift the dialogue from the cost of transport towards its value: in our daily lives, in connecting communities, and in supporting national resilience and our economy. With a clearer understanding of true value, we can properly plan for and invest in its future.”

"Scyne is incredibly proud to have partnered with Transport Australia on this vital report," stated John Ball, CEO at Scyne. "Understanding the true, comprehensive value of our transport network is not merely an academic exercise; it's fundamental to making informed decisions that will shape Australia's future. This report provides the insights and details needed to move towards a more integrated, purpose-driven approach to transport investment, ensuring it continues to deliver optimal public value and resilience for generations to come."

The full "Valuing Australia's Transport Network" report is available for download on the Transport Australia website at https://transportaustralia.org.au/news/valuing-australias-transport-network/

About Scyne: Scyne provides professional services across critical sectors that serve the public interest. With three core practice areas, we bring deep sector knowledge and a collaborative mindset to every engagement. Our approach is technology-led and outcomes-driven - we combine strategic insight with digital innovation to help our clients solve complex challenges, modernise services, and deliver better outcomes for communities.