Ares Management launches Australian unit trust to broaden infrastructure investment

Ares Management Corporation has introduced the Ares Core Infrastructure Fund/AUT, an Australian-domiciled unit trust that extends the company’s infrastructure strategy to wholesale and advised retail investors in Australia.

New vehicle mirrors U.S. business development company

Announced on August 18, the fund gives local investors access to the Ares Core Infrastructure Fund (ACI), a U.S.-regulated business development company. ACI, launched in 2024, held approximately A$1.8 billion in assets under management as of July 1. The strategy targets operating infrastructure assets and is structured to provide transparency and quarterly liquidity.

The Australian trust adopts the same approach, allowing investors to participate through a familiar domestic structure while benefiting from the underlying U.S. portfolio. According to Ares, the vehicle aims to meet demand for income-oriented infrastructure exposure at a time when Australia’s superannuation and private-wealth segments continue to expand.

Fourth wealth product in Australia and New Zealand

The launch marks Ares Management’s fourth offering for private-wealth clients in Australia and New Zealand. The firm rolled out the Ares Private Markets Fund/AUT in December 2024, following earlier introductions of the Ares Global Credit Income Fund and the Ares Diversified Credit Fund. Since entering the region in 2020, Ares has raised roughly A$2.0 billion across its private-wealth strategies.

Los Angeles-based Ares Management operates in the United States, Europe and Asia, managing credit, private equity, real estate and infrastructure assets. The company’s expansion into Australia aligns with a broader trend among global managers seeking to tap the country’s sizable retirement-savings pool. Data from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia show total superannuation assets exceeding A$3.5 trillion, making the market a significant target for international firms. The Australian Financial Review notes that inbound interest has accelerated in recent years as investors diversify beyond traditional equity and fixed-income allocations.

Focus on operating assets and stable cash flow

The core infrastructure strategy invests primarily in operating assets such as utilities, renewable-energy platforms, and transportation networks. Ares states that the portfolio favors businesses with contracted or regulated revenue streams, aiming to deliver predictable cash flow and downside protection. The quarterly-liquidity feature is intended to balance accessibility with the long-term nature of infrastructure investments.

Minimum subscription sizes and fee structures for the new unit trust were not disclosed at the time of the announcement. Ares indicated that the fund is available through selected advisers and platforms, subject to standard wholesale and advised-retail eligibility criteria under Australian regulations.

Regional growth plans continue

Ares Management’s move follows a series of regional initiatives, including the establishment of an office in Sydney and the appointment of local distribution staff. The firm signaled that additional products may follow as part of a multi-asset expansion strategy designed to serve both institutional and private-wealth channels.

Market participants view the infrastructure sector as a beneficiary of global decarbonization efforts and public-private partnership programs. With rising interest in inflation-protected assets, managers with established platforms have accelerated fund launches to capture demand.

For Australian investors, the unit trust structure offers exposure to an international portfolio without the administrative complexity of investing directly in a U.S. vehicle. Ares emphasized that the Australian trust will report in local currency and comply with domestic disclosure standards.

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Company background

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ARES, Ares Management oversaw approximately US$428 billion in assets as of June 30, according to its most recent filings. The firm’s infrastructure group invests across the capital structure, including debt and equity, with a focus on assets supporting essential services.

While Ares maintains that the new Australian vehicle broadens access to its infrastructure pipeline, the company has not provided guidance on targeted asset growth for the trust. Management stated that fundraising momentum will depend on market conditions and investor appetite for yield-oriented alternatives.

Earlier this year, Ares closed several global funds, including a US$8 billion infrastructure debt strategy, underscoring the scale of its platform. The Australian launch complements these efforts by channeling local capital into existing deal flow.

Industry observers expect competition for Australian allocations to intensify as rival managers debut similar structures. Nonetheless, Ares’ early entry and established distribution network may provide an advantage in capturing flows from advisers seeking diversified income solutions.

Additional information on Ares Management’s regional activities and broader market developments can be found in the firm’s public filings and regulatory disclosures.

See our latest Finance News Update for more coverage of global asset-management moves. 

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