Media Release

A decade of super-charged investment in infrastructure and green energy assets

22 February 2023

A decade of super-charged investment in infrastructure and green energy assets

 

 

APRA-regulated superannuation funds have substantially ramped up their investments in infrastructure and in renewables over the past decade, according to new analysis from The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA).

As part of a series of ASFA research reports examining super’s role in funding the Australian economy, ASFA found super funds’ total investment in infrastructure assets had reached $165 billion (8% of total assets) by 2022, up from $30 billion (or 3% of assets) in 2010. (Refer to Chart 1).

“Only a third of funds had exposure to infrastructure assets in 2010, but now exposure to infrastructure assets is the rule rather than the exception,” said ASFA CEO Dr Martin Fahy.

“Australian super funds are increasing investment in the infrastructure of the future, and critically, in the renewable energy space as we transition to a net-zero economy.”

ASFA analysis found that super funds’ energy-related investments have shifted significantly towards renewables in the past decade. Super funds’ investments in renewable electricity generation have increased markedly over the past few years – particularly funds’ direct holdings of renewable generation assets (refer to Chart 2).

“The pace of transition into sustainable investments is speeding up in response to a myriad of external factors, but ultimately, these investment decisions are delivering to the best financial outcome for members,” Dr Fahy concluded.

Chart


For further information, please contact:
ASFA Media team, 0451 949 300.

About ASFA
ASFA is the peak policy, research and advocacy body for Australia’s superannuation industry. It is a not-for-profit, sector-neutral, and non-party political, national organisation. ASFA’s mission is to continuously improve the superannuation system, so all Australians can enjoy a comfortable and dignified retirement.

Daniel Mulino MP

Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services

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Born in Brindisi, Italy, Daniel was a young child when he moved with his family to Australia. He grew up in Canberra and completed his first degrees – arts and law – at the ANU. He then completed a Master of Economics (University of Sydney) and a PhD in economics from Yale.

He lectured at Monash University, was an economic adviser in the Gillard government and was a Victorian MP from 2014 to 2018. As Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer of Victoria, Daniel helped deliver major infrastructure projects and developed innovative financing structures for community projects.

In 2018 he was preselected for the new federal seat of Fraser and became its first MP at the 2019 election, re-elected in 2022 and 2025. From 2022 to 2025, Daniel was chair of the House of Representatives’ Standing Economics Committee in which he chaired inquiries; economic dynamism, competition and business formation and insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims.

In 2025, he became the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services.

In August 2022, Daniel published ‘Safety Net: The Future of Welfare in Australia’, which aims to explore the ways in which an insurance approach can improve the effectiveness of government service delivery.