Nicholas Carney
Nicholas is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading infrastructure, government and defence lawyers.
Nicholas specialises in complex infrastructure, defence and national security projects.
He has advised on projects in Australia, Asia and the Pacific Islands. His clients include sponsors, contractors, developers, operator, financiers, technology providers, and governments. He has particular experience in relation to unsolicited or market led proposals and other sole source transactions.
Infrastructure: He has extensive experience in relation to public private partnerships (PPPs/PFI/3P), privatisations and asset recycling and across the following sectors: transport (rail, roads, ports and wharves), education (universities and schools), utilities, manufacturing, national resilience and supply chain, hospitals, social, affordable and disability housing, telco, freight and waste.
Defence: Nicholas advises on complex defence and national security matters, including advising primes and sub-primes in relation to ASDEFCON contracting suite for materiel, support and services, and related infrastructure. In addition, Nick advises on Australian defence export controls.
Social infrastructure: He has been at the forefront of innovative structures to facilitate investment into social, affordable and disability housing, including advising on the establishment of NSW Government Social and Affordable Housing Fund, as well as investment structures for Lighthouse Infrastructure, QIC/BHC and Mission Australia/Palisade.
Technology: Nicholas is also particularly interested in the convergence of infrastructure and technology, and for several years was the deputy chair of the Infrastructure Partners Australia's Infra-Tech taskforce. He was also a member of the Australian National Transport Commission's Autonomous Vehicle Industry Insights Group.
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- PsiQuantum on its project to build the world’s first utility-scale quantum computer at a site near Brisbane Airport, Brisbane, Australia, in partnership with the Australian Commonwealth and Queensland Governments. The project is backed by a $940 million AUD ($620 million USD) financial package, consisting of equity, grants, and loans. The firm advised on all aspects of Australian law for this transaction
- Transport for NSW on the Circular Quay Renewal project to deliver an upgrade and renewal of the Circular Quay ferry wharves and surrounding precinct
- the Commonwealth Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Fund for the Pacific (AIFFP) on the funding and procurement of numerous projects in PNG and Pacific, including PNG Ports, PNG Roads, Fiji Airport, PNG Power Sector Development Program
- advising governments, capital providers, community housing providers and financiers in relation to social and affordable housing transactions across Australia, including the Housing Australia Future Fund, the Queensland Housing Investment Fund and NSW Social and Affordable Housing Fund
- Hitachi STS Rail in relation to all aspects of its participation in the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport Stations, Systems Trains, Operations and Maintenance (SSTOM) bid process, including as a part of the Bradfield Metro Consortium
Services
Background
Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of New South Wales. He has also completed the Australian Institute of Company Director’s ‘Company Directors Course’, a Graduate diploma of Applied Finance from FINSIA and the John Yu Fellowship for Cultural Diversity Leadership through University of Sydney.
Nicholas is listed in the Best Lawyers List for Construction and Infrastructure (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) and Project Finance and Development (2023, 2024 and 2025) categories.
Nicholas is a member of the HSF Kramer Global Council and chairs the Risk Management and Audit Committee.
Nicholas was previously a member of the University of New South Wales Council and the chair of the UNSW Risk Committee.
Related insights
