Australia has the potential to become a world leader in critical minerals, yet it remains at a disadvantage in refining the minerals it produces. To compete globally, Australia must play to its strengths and clearly define its evolving ‘sweet spot’ in the critical minerals value chain—a position shaped by the maturity, scale, and readiness of national infrastructure. As logistics, energy systems, and processing capabilities improve, Australia’s ability to form compelling, investment-ready business cases grows, strengthening its global competitiveness. Infrastructure across transport, energy, water, and digital systems, directly determines where Australia can add the most value. More mature infrastructure shortens development cycles for mining and processing projects, reduces time-to-market, and makes investment more attractive. The objective is not only economic growth but also building sovereign capability and deepening long term global partnerships. With volatile supply chains and growing demand for low-carbon, sustainable materials, Australia’s ability to process and secure critical minerals is essential. Achieving this requires decisive government leadership and common-user infrastructure that lowers barriers to entry, provides fair access to processing, and boosts sector-wide viability. Australia has done this before—most notably in the early 2000s when it helped establish a globally competitive LNG export industry. With the right mix of investment, policy support, and enabling infrastructure, it can do the same for critical minerals, delivering new regional jobs, stronger supply chain security, and long-term national prosperity. Key points for consideration: • Industry Coordination Around Processing: For emerging mineral industries, the need to collaborate on shared processing and technical challenges to meaningfully activate their industry. • Infrastructure and Workforce Gaps: Remote-area infrastructure and skilled-worker shortages limit progress, access to re-agents, investment in logistics, utilities, and green energy is essential. • Government Leadership: Policy certainty, funding, and common-user infrastructure are needed to unlock private capital. • Understanding End User Requirements: There is still an underdeveloped understanding from proponents of what form of critical minerals end customers want, by when, in what volumes and with what assurances.