The PWA is being reformed to ensure it is more efficient and effective, with the second of two Bills currently progressing through Parliament.
The Public Works Act Amendment Bill proposes changes to the Act focused on improving efficiency, effectiveness and clarity of land acquisition.
Public Works Act Amendment Bill
The Bill had its first reading on 11 December 2025.
The Bill includes:
- new payments to incentivise early agreement,
- increased home-loss and land-loss payments,
- streamlined land acquisition processes that improve landowner engagement, recognise the use of modern technology, facilitate combined works, and modernise access to the PWA, and
- new emergency provisions to support disaster recovery.
The Bill does not amend provisions relating to the processes followed when land taken under the Act is no longer required by the Crown.
A more detailed summary of the proposed changes
Documents relating to the Public Works Amendment Bill
Development of the Bill has been supported by a review of the PWA initiated by Government in June 2024 to improve the land acquisition and compensation provisions in the Act to enable faster delivery of public infrastructure projects.
Information about the 2024 review of the Public Works Act review
Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Act 2025
Changes made to the Public Works Act in August 2025 introduced an accelerated process for specified critical infrastructure projects.
This included new payments to incentivise early agreement and a streamlined written submission process for the eligible projects aimed to help critical infrastructures projects to acquire the land needed more quickly.
Guidance on changes to the PWA and critical infrastructure
Documents relating to critical infrastructure amendments to the PWA