Since the inception of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1981, the Australian high-performance sport system (HP sport system) has evolved to a decentralised model with high-performance facilities in each state and territory. The most commercialised sports with high value broadcasting deals, including the rugby codes, Australian Football League (AFL), cricket, swimming and tennis, have also developed their own high-performance facilities.

However, the AIS, which has contributed to our past Olympic and Paralympic successes, remains crucial. It provides an essential spine to our decentralised HP sport system. It also possesses unique facilities (including on-site accommodation that features in most international benchmark facilities) for which state-based facilities are not resourced. The AIS is also critical for smaller sports, including for example, combat sports, winter sports and ‘millennial sports’ like skate, sport climbing and mountain biking. These sports are all likely to feature in the Olympic and Paralympic Games leading up to and including Brisbane 2032, and include significant medal prospects.

The review found that the AIS should remain located at its current site in Bruce, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), with an urgent need for revitalisation and rationalisation to create a stronger spine within the existing, decentralised HP sport system. Evidence from previous business cases was considered. The review supports the view that neither closing and divesting the AIS, nor maintaining existing assets as they are, would support the current functions and strategy of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) or the High-Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy.

There was broad-based support from stakeholders that, with its combination of purpose-built infrastructure, integrated accommodation and sport science support, the AIS campus at Bruce had unique attributes as a high performance facility. The level terrain at Bruce also creates a strong foundation for becoming an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence for para-athletes.

The review supports the findings from the ASC that relocation options would cost in excess of $1 billion in initial capital investment, with significant development risk. Furthermore, no other state or territory is proposing a relocation plan. There is no detailed alternative, costed proposal or committed funding. It is clear that any relocation would compromise athlete preparations for Brisbane 2032.