The National Capital Authority plans, manages and promotes Australia's national capital. Our work helps ensure Canberra reflects its national significance while remaining a vibrant and accessible place for residents, workers and visitors.
At a Glance
We:
administer the National Capital Plan;
assess works in designated areas of Canberra;
manage National Land on behalf of the Australian Government;
maintain nationally significant places, landscapes and infrastructure;
deliver renewal and enhancement projects; and
promote understanding and appreciation of Canberra as Australia's national capital.
Plan the Capital
Canberra has a unique role as Australia’s National Capital. Through the National Capital Plan, we help ensure the city is planned and developed in accordance with its national significance. We do this by assessing and approving applications to undertake works in designated areas, and by preparing development control plans, urban design guidelines, master plans and draft amendments to the National Capital Plan.
Our planning responsibilities include:
keeping the National Capital Plan under review;
assessing works approval applications in designated areas;
preparing National Capital Plan amendments;
developing planning policies, masterplans and urban design guidance; and
supporting the protection and management of heritage places.
Maintain and enhance (manage) the Capital
Manage National Land
We manage National Land on behalf of the Australian Government for the special purposes of Canberra as the national capital. This includes caring for nationally significant places, landscapes and public spaces that contribute to the character and function of the capital. Read more about how we do this: Managing the National Capital Estate
Deliver Projects and Improvements
We deliver maintenance, renewal and enhancement projects across National Land and nationally significant assets.
Our work includes:
maintaining public infrastructure and facilities;
upgrading roads, pathways, lighting and public amenities;
enhancing landscapes and public spaces;
protecting and renewing monuments, memorials and other national assets; and
supporting events, ceremonies and activities that take place in the national capital.
To learn more about our current projects currently underway, please click here.
Promote the Capital
We help Australians understand and appreciate Canberra's role as the national capital.
We do this by:
providing information about the national capital;
supporting educational opportunities and visitor experiences;
encouraging participation in activities and events; and
sharing the stories, places and symbols that are nationally significant.
Under the Act, the National Capital Authority is responsible for:
preparing and administering the National Capital Plan (NCP);
keeping the NCP under constant review and proposing amendments when required;
on behalf of the Australian Government, commissioning works to be carried out in designated areas in accordance with the NCP and where neither a department of State or the Commonwealth nor any Commonwealth authority has the responsibility to commission those works;
recommending works that maintain or enhance the character of the national capital;
fostering awareness of Canberra as Australia's National Capital;
providing planning services for any person or body, whether within Australia or overseas, with the approval of the Minister; and
managing National Land designated by the Minister for the special purposes of Canberra as the national capital.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.
We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
