The ANAO could examine the assessment and decision-making in relation to the provision of financial support from the Critical Minerals Facility (Facility). It could also examine how Export Finance Australia satisfies itself that the Facility is growing Australia’s critical minerals sector and expanding downstream processing. The $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility was established in 2021 to provide financing to projects that are aligned with the Australian Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–30. The purpose of the Facility is to help projects suffering from gaps in private finance to overcome these gaps and get off the ground. The funding can come in the form of loans, loan guarantees, bonds and working capital support and is intended as a complement to commercial financing. Funding is intended to support Australian businesses to move further up the value chain to downstream processing, as well as businesses that are part of the critical minerals supply chain. When assessing whether it can support a critical minerals project, Export Finance Australia must consider: Australian benefit; whether the mineral is identified in the Strategy; whether a comprehensive feasibility study has been completed; buyer commitment to purchase the product; use of proven processing technology; and the proponent’s financial, technical and commercial capacity.