Victoria is open for business - and the Allan Labor Government is backing new projects that create jobs, support local workers, and grow our tech and innovation industries.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson today joined CEO of NEXTDC Craig Scroggie to announce NEXTDC will build a new $2 billion next-generation digital campus in Fishermans Bend.
NEXTDC's M4 Melbourne will feature an AI Factory, Mission Critical Operations Centre, and Technology Centre of Excellence - positioning Victoria as a national digital infrastructure hub.
The Labor Government was proud to provide NEXTDC facilitation support to help get this hub off the ground.
It will create thousands of jobs in tech, AI, digital infrastructure, defence technology, advanced research and more.
The tech hub will be part of the Government's Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct, which is set to become a centre of innovation in advanced manufacturing, engineering and design and was kickstarted by an investment of almost $180 million by the Labor Government.
The precinct is projected to support up to 30,000 jobs in science, technology, engineering and associated fields by 2051. It will include the University of Melbourne's new Engineering and Design campus, making it the ideal location for NEXTDC's new Technology Centre of Excellence.
Victoria's thriving tech sector contributes more than $34 billion to the state's economy and supports more than 306,000 workers - accounting for 30 per cent of Australia's tech workforce.
When companies like NEXTDC invest in Victoria, it drives jobs and grows the economy.
The Labor Government is making it simpler for businesses to invest and create jobs in Victoria though our Economic Growth Statement. The Victorian Budget 2025/26 delivers $240 million to fund all 40 of its initiatives, with tech and defence named as priority sectors.
Building on this work, the Government today released the Victorian Industry Policy which sets out how government, businesses and researchers can work together to to use new technology and grow local industries and jobs.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"We're open for business and we're backing Victorians every step of the way."
"This major investment means more jobs and training for the next generation of tech workers."
As stated by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson
"This project will create high-skilled jobs for Victorians and lay the groundwork to support future developments in AI, advanced manufacturing and defence."
"We are working hard to attract and grow these opportunities, which are creating a thriving and globally competitive tech sector, right here in Victoria."
As stated by Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing
"This major investment by NEXTDC is another clear signal to the world that Fishermans Bend is a key industry and market centre for growth and in-demand industries, which in turn is driving jobs and economic growth for Victoria."
As stated by Member for Albert Park Nina Taylor
"We have the vision, we have the people, we have the skills and we have the ideal location. This is a big win for Fishermans Bend and Victoria."
As stated by CEO of NEXTDC Craig Scroggie
"Precincts matter. They create the gravitational pull for investment, innovation, and talent. By anchoring M4 at Fishermans Bend, we're activating a nationally integrated ecosystem for industrial AI, defence, research, and deep tech."
"We are building the foundational infrastructure for Australia's participation in the next wave of global innovation-from artificial intelligence and cloud computing to defence, quantum, and space technologies."
