On 24 April 2025, the Hon Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, committed to establish a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve to maximise the strategic value of Australia’s critical minerals.
The government allocated $1.2 billion to establish the reserve in the 2025-26 federal budget. The reserve will be operational from the second half of 2026.
Critical minerals are essential inputs to the modern economy. They underpin defence materiel, high tech manufacturing, and the energy transition.
Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve Taskforce
A taskforce was established in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to support the development of the reserve.
On 8 December 2025, the taskforce moved to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
To contact the taskforce, email CMSRTaskforce@industry.gov.au. The taskforce welcomes written views from interested stakeholders.
Further information
More information on critical minerals is available on the Department of Industry Science and Resources website:
- Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve
- Critical minerals
- Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030
- Critical Minerals Office