Australia’s Transport Sector Net Zero Roadmap: Progress, Alignment, and Opportunities for Improvement

SEPTEMBER 2025

The Australian Government’s release of the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan marks a significant step in the nation’s efforts to decarbonise the transport sector. The Transport Professionals Association (TPA) has reviewed the plan and found that it aligns closely with many of the priorities and recommendations raised in its Net Zero Roadmap Submission.

Alignment with TPA Priorities

The Roadmap’s adoption of the “Avoid–Shift–Improve” (ASI) framework is a central organising principle that reflects the association’s long-standing advocacy. This approach prioritises reducing the need to travel, shifting trips to sustainable modes, and improving vehicle and infrastructure efficiency. The plan also embeds equity, evidence, and economic opportunity into its guiding principles, which TPA considers essential for a successful transition.

The Roadmap demonstrates strong alignment with TPA’s recommendations in several key areas. It commits to significant investment in active and public transport infrastructure, including the Active Transport Fund and High Speed Rail planning. The plan supports the deployment of low and zero emission technologies across all transport modes and includes actions to reduce embodied carbon in infrastructure through national standards, sustainable procurement, and capability building. Workforce development, skills, and inclusion of regional and First Nations communities are also prominent features.

Transport Professionals Association CEO Kirsty Kelly commented, “The Roadmap demonstrates a clear commitment to reducing transport emissions and supporting a healthier, more sustainable future for all Australians. We commend the Government for its collaborative approach and for embedding equity, evidence, and economic opportunity into its guiding principles.”

Issues Addressed

TPA’s analysis shows that the Roadmap addresses the majority of the issues raised in its submission. The plan provides comprehensive modal decarbonisation pathways for road, rail, maritime, and aviation, with clear timelines and technology options. It invests in active and public transport, shared mobility, and behaviour change programs, and introduces incentives for sustainable travel. Regulatory reforms support electrification, energy performance, and equitable access to electric vehicles, particularly for disadvantaged groups. The plan also links funding programs to decarbonisation outcomes and emphasises collaboration and partnerships across all levels of government and industry.

Opportunities for Improvement

Despite these strengths, TPA identifies several areas where the Roadmap could be enhanced to fully realise Australia’s Net Zero ambitions.

Mode Shift Targets:
While the Roadmap acknowledges the need for a fundamental shift in how Australians move people and goods, it does not set clear, measurable mode shift targets. TPA advocates for targets such as reducing private vehicle kilometres travelled and increasing the share of trips made by public and active transport. International evidence demonstrates that such targets are essential to drive real change. The association also recommends that all levels of government use every available lever to enable maximum mode shift, including expanding public transport services faster than road networks, reducing the cost of public transport relative to driving, and improving travel times and ease of use for sustainable modes.

Reducing Private Car Dependence:
TPA emphasises that reducing car dependence is not only about lowering emissions but also about creating healthier, more equitable, and more liveable communities. Achieving this requires making sustainable options more attractive, easy, and faster than driving, and ensuring that planning systems deliver compact, mixed-use communities with high-quality public and active transport. The association notes that even under optimistic scenarios, Australia will need to reduce its reliance on driving to meet climate targets. Without adequate public transport, safe active travel infrastructure, and local services, car dependence will persist, especially in suburban areas.

As the TPA notes, “A combination of measures to incentivise public and active transport use, and disincentivise driving, will underpin mode shift. The aim in designing and implementing both 'push' and 'pull' measures should be to steadily and irreversibly increase the attractiveness of sustainable compared to unsustainable travel choices.”

Integrated Transport and Land Use Planning:
The Roadmap recognises the importance of integrated transport and land use planning, but TPA urges all levels of government to set mandated targets for new development. This would ensure that every Australian can access daily needs within a short walk, ride, or public transport trip. Research consistently shows that spatial planning is one of the most effective levers for decarbonisation, both by reducing the need to travel and by enabling the shift to more sustainable transport. Smarter planning should deliver compact, mixed-use urban development, high-quality walking and cycling networks, and frequent, reliable public transport services.

Conclusion

The Transport Professionals Association acknowledges the significant progress made in the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan. The plan addresses most of the association’s recommendations, particularly in its frameworks, investment priorities, modal decarbonisation pathways, infrastructure actions, and governance structures.

However, to fully realise Australia’s Net Zero ambitions, TPA urges the Government to set explicit mode shift targets, implement stronger disincentives for car use, and further integrate transport and land use planning. As CEO Kirsty Kelly concludes, “Australia’s transport emissions remain among the highest in the developed world. To meet our Net Zero commitments, we must be bold in setting mode shift targets, reforming road pricing, and making sustainable travel the easy, attractive, and affordable choice for all Australians.”

The Transport Professionals Association looks forward to working with government, industry, and the community to deliver on the promise of the Net Zero Roadmap and ensure that Australia’s transport system is fit for a sustainable, healthy, and prosperous future.