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waste NBN Co
$27.5B

NBN Co $27.5B cost blowout — 93% over original $29.5B estimate

The NBN Co's original construction cost estimate of $29.5B ultimately reached over $57B — a $27.5B blowout representing a 93% cost overrun on the largest infrastructure project in Australian history. The ANAO's 2024 review found project governance and cost management were inadequate throughout the build phase, with scope changes and technology switches contributing to the massive cost growth.

Department: NBN Co
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What This Means

$27.5B of Australian taxpayer money was wasted at NBN Co. The NBN Co's original construction cost estimate of $29.5B ultimately reached over $57B — a $27.5B blowout representing a 93% cost overrun on the largest infrastructure project in Australian history. The ANAO's 2024 review found project governance and cost management were inadequate throughout the build phase, with scope changes and technology switches contributing to the massive cost growth.

Spread across Australia's 10.8 million households, that's roughly $2,546 per family — enough in total for funding roughly 229 public hospitals for a full year.

  • The NBN Co's original construction cost estimate of $29.5B ultimately reached over $57B — a $27.5B blowout representing a 93% cost overrun on the largest infrastructure project in Australian history. The ANAO's 2024 review found project governance and cost management were inadequate throughout the build phase, with scope changes and technology switches contributing to the massive cost growth.
  • Data sourced from official ANAO audit reports and AusTender procurement records.
  • All findings are linked to primary government documents.
Amount Spent
Not specified
Original Estimate
Not specified
Waste / Overrun
$27,500,000,000
AI Confidence
0%

Analysis

NBN was budgeted at $29.5B. It cost $57B. That's a $27.5B blowout — 93% over — on the largest infrastructure project in Australian history. NBN Co has never been held accountable. Until now. @reckonerAU

Sources

https://www.anao.gov.au/work/performance-audit/national-broadband-network-transition-construction-to-operation-2024
Category: waste
Severity: critical
Agency: NBN Co
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Department: NBN Co
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