Tuesday 12 May 2025

Sydney Airport has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcements in tonight’s Federal Budget aimed at accelerating the development and uptake of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in Australia.

The package includes a commitment to introduce a low carbon liquid fuel demand-side measure, developed in consultation with industry, and confirms the introduction of the Cleaner Fuels Program to support local SAF production.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “We congratulate the Government on putting forward an ambitious policy package covering both demand and supply, which industry has long advocated for.

“SAF is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise Australian sovereign capability and reduce our reliance on imported liquid fuels. SAF can be made in Australia, using Australian feedstocks, helping create and sustain Australian jobs.

“The commitment to a SAF demand-side measure alongside the Cleaner Fuels Program represents significant and meaningful progress toward building an Australian SAF industry, enhancing our long-term fuel security and resilience.”

Mr Charlton said the policy design process would be critical, emphasising the importance of close collaboration between government and industry.

“We look forward to participating in the policy design process alongside government and industry partners to help ensure Australia develops an effective and globally competitive SAF policy framework.

“We encourage all parties in the Parliament to get behind the development of an Australian SAF industry as a critical enabler of Australia’s long-term fuel security and resilience, while creating significant economic opportunities for regional and agricultural communities.”

Research undertaken by Sydney Airport in March 2026 found high levels of support for SAF, with 72 percent of Australians supporting the development of a domestic SAF industry in Australia and just six percent opposed¹.

¹National Sentiment towards SAF research report.