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What is GAIC?
GAIC (growth areas infrastructure contribution) is a fee collected in Melbourne's expanding suburbs to fund infrastructure development.
It is paid when buying or developing a large piece of land.
The fees are collected by the State Revenue Office (SRO) and distributed equally between two special purpose accounts:
- The growth areas public transport fund
- The building new communities fund.
GAIC was introduced in 2010 in the Planning and Environment Act 1987 Part 9B to respond to the challenges facing residents in the growth areas of Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Wyndham. It is managed by the Minister for Planning and the Victorian Treasurer.
2025-26 State Budget Investment Outcomes
North-Western Growth Corridor Bus Package - $162 million
This Budget delivers $162 million in new and improved bus services, with a focus on connecting communities in Melbourne’s growing suburbs to train stations, schools, health services and jobs.
A package of new and extended bus routes includes:
Package 1 - $18.7 million. The project will fill service gaps either in off peak frequency, span of hours or days of operation (e.g. where a route doesn't operate on Sundays) for 10 existing bus routes in Melbourne’s northern and western growth areas.
The 10 bus routes operate across Mernda, Craigieburn and Donnybrook in the North, and across Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes, and connecting Wyndham Vale to Werribee in the West.
- Impacted routes:
- City of Hume: Routes 390**, 525, 528, 529, 533, 537. Noting route 390 Mernda – Craigieburn crosses into the City of Whittlesea.
- City of Wyndham: Routes 170,180,190,192
Package 2 - $143.2 million. The suite of projects will provide critical bus services to new growth communities by expanding the public transport network coverage to ensure Victoria’s newest communities enjoy equity of access to economic opportunity, health services and education.
- Bus service upgrades/improvements:
- Wyndham Law Courts – Route 153 service uplift & courts access improvements
- Riverwalk & Kings Leigh Estate – Route 441 extension
- New Bus route – Thornhill Park – Cobblebank Station
- Tarneit West Station - New Route 186 (Tarneit Station – Tarneit West Station) & 182 Tarneit West Station access service uplifts
- New Route - 140 (Rockbank Station-Tarneit Station via Mt Atkinson)
- Wollert Network Package-New Route 355 (Mystique Estate-Epping Station) &356,357,358 & 577 redesign and service uplifts
- Rockbank, Aintree, Watergardens Station, Caroline Springs Package-Routes 444,461,463 & 464 redesign and service uplifts
- Beveridge to Craigieburn service uplift.
2025 Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) funding round
The 2025 Growth Area Infrastructure Contributions (GAIC) Funding Round opened on 20 December 2024, making available up to $150 million for transport focused infrastructure needs. Applications closed on 28 February 2025.
How funds are used
GAIC funds can be used for the purpose of state funded infrastructure projects located within the urban growth boundary of any seven growth area councils.
GAIC funds must be spent in, or for the benefit of, any of the seven designated growth area councils. Funds are used for infrastructure projects like land acquisition, capital works and start-up operating costs for new public transport services.
GAIC funds are distributed to growth corridors broadly in proportion to the amount received over time.
The following project types are priorities for GAIC funds:
Growth areas public transport fund
- new railway stations and associated works
- new bus interchanges
- future transport corridors
- bus services for the first five years of operation
- associated infrastructure for public transport such as car parking and access
Building new communities fund
- primary and secondary government schools and other education facilities
- state emergency services facilities including fire stations and ambulance stations
- health, community health, wellbeing and family violence prevention facilities
- justice facilities including courts and police stations
- open space improvements
- walking and cycling
- regional level sporting and recreational facilities
Where GAIC Funds have been invested
As at 31 March 2025, GAIC has collected $1.44 billion of GAIC cash contributions.
In total, GAIC has provided funding for 156 infrastructure projects across both GAPTF and the BNCF, with a combined investment of $1.202 billion.
- GAPTF – 52 projects, combined funding total $571.94 million.
- BNCF – 104 projects, combined funding total $630.41 million.
The GAIC Funded Projects map is updated on a quarterly basis. Content is current as at 31 March 2025. The next scheduled update is July 2025.
Recent funding outcomes and Quarter 4 financial performance will be updated in July 2025.
GAIC financial performance is reported annually and published in the DTP Annual Report.
Growth areas public transport fund
Building new communities fund
How funds are allocated
Victorian Government departments (or agencies through the relevant department) can apply for funding to deliver important infrastructure projects that address the needs of growth communities during the annual funding round or the Victorian state budget.
Developers can seek to provide works or land for future state infrastructure in lieu of paying the contribution under a GAIC work-in-kind (WIK) agreement. This can offset all or some of a developer’s GAIC liability.
GAIC rates
The adjusted GAIC contributions are:
| Land type | Rate per hectare 2022-23 | Rate per hectare 2023-24 | Rate per hectare 2024-25 | Rate per hectare 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (section 201RC(2) of PEAct) | $103,260 | $110,590 | $115,530 | $118,830 |
| B-1 (section 201RC(3) of PEAct) B-2 (section 201RC(4) of PEAct) C (section 201RC(5) of PEAct) | $122,660 | $131,360 | $137,230 | $141,150 |
Information about payments, exemptions and GAIC certificates can be found on the SRO website.
WIK agreements
WIK agreements allow developers to provide land and/or capital infrastructure works in a growth area instead of a cash payment.
Two models have been prepared to assist with entering into and negotiating a WIK agreement.
Developers interested in entering into a WIK agreement should initially contact the VPA.
Two forms are available to assist in developing proposals:
WIK guidelines
WIK guidelines relate to the establishment and administration of WIK agreements. They explain why the model WIK agreements are drafted the way they are, and how they work.
The guidelines should be read in conjunction with Subdivision 2A of Part 9B of the Planning and Environment Act and the model WIK agreements.
Page last updated: 27/06/25