The Minns Labor Government is working to secure the future of NSW by investing in a strong innovation sector and cutting red tape for major projects, making it a more attractive place to invest.
The 2025-26 Budget sends a clear message: NSW is open for business.
New Investment Delivery Authority to accelerate approvals
If we want to attract major private capital - build our AI capabilities, expand the clean energy grid, and attract new and innovative industries of the future - then government must match the ambition of business.
This is why the 2025-26 Budget invests $17.7 million to establish and support the work of the Investment Delivery Authority, a new entity that will encourage high-value projects and put them in the fast lane.
Modelled on the successful Housing Delivery Authority, the Investment Delivery Authority will invite expressions of interest for major investment projects valued over $1 billion.
The new Authority is expected to assist around 30 large projects per year, potentially bringing forward up to $50 billion of investment annually.
This will drive new ideas and modernise how we assess major innovative proposals to increase productivity and build future industries in NSW.
Strengthening the innovation sector
The Government's third Budget sets NSW on the right track to be a world leader in innovation and technology, with nearly $80 million to deliver the Innovation Blueprint.
The Blueprint will establish NSW as the best place to innovate, connect with investors, and scale a business, by supporting start-ups from the earliest stages to ensure their viability and success.
With NSW accounting for 65 per cent of the nation's venture capital investment in 2024, and home to five out of eight Australian unicorn companies, the state is already a recognised leader in driving economic growth through innovation.
The funding package for the Innovation Blueprint will help NSW grow more global success stories like Afterpay, Atlassian, Canva and Safety Culture in the years ahead through the following groundbreaking initiatives:
- $38.5 million for Tech Central to flourish as a melting pot for groundbreaking innovation, research, and lifestyle
- $20 million for the Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund to drive long term growth and productivity in Government priority areas, such as housing, Net Zero and energy transition and local manufacturing
- $4 million to support female tech founders and those from diverse cultures and backgrounds, as well as budding tech giants living and working in Western Sydney and regional NSW
- $6 million to extend the existing Minimum Viable Products Ventures program so we can nurture the next generation of globally successful companies
- $6 million to establish an Innovative Manufacturing Adoption Fund, helping manufacturing businesses expand and adopt new technology
- $4 million to establish the Housing Innovation Network and Housing
Construction Program to connect researchers, start-ups and industry and promote new technologies that speed up housing construction.
Investment Summit
NSW has the ingredients and opportunity to be on the forefront of innovation and growth, and we are making sure the world knows it.
In October of this year, the Minns Labor Government will be hosting a global Investment Summit to attract international investment in our state.
Sydney ranks in the top five of the most popular investment destinations around the world. The Summit will harness this momentum, building on our steadily growing position as the financial hub of the Asia Pacific.
Boosting productivity in NSW is not just about better living standards here; it is about keeping our place in a fast-moving global economy.
The 2025-26 Budget unlocks the state's future economic growth by ensuring we can attract investment, inspire talent, and take advantage of the technology our businesses need to grow.
