The Minns Labor Government has today launched a new strategy to cement the Tech Central district as Australia's innovation engine.
Tech Central is a six square kilometre precinct bordered by Haymarket, Camperdown, and South Eveleigh and currently has the highest concentration of technology businesses anywhere in Australia, including Atlassian, Block (Afterpay), Canva, Safety Culture and Rokt, along with research institutes and two world leading universities.
The strategy was released at the Tech Council of Australia National Tech Summit in Sydney in the heart of Tech Central, where hundreds of attendees from leading Australian and multinational tech companies are gathering.
The Tech Central Economic Development Strategy is a renewed commitment to the success of the precinct between industry, academia and government, laying out a shared vision - from world- leading researchers at the University of Sydney and UTS, to innovative startups, to our globally renowned tech unicorns (valued at over $1 billion). Sydney is home to 35 per cent of Australia's tech workforce.
This strategy also integrates housing, creative industries, and the visitor and 24-hour economies so the Government, industry and local community can help this world-class innovation precinct reach its full economic potential.
This will help the district become a leading place to live, work and play-all key ingredients in continuing to attract and retain world leading innovative businesses.
To help jump start this vision the NSW Government has committed an initial $5 million to provide support for investment attraction aligned with broader Government objectives and help establish a Tech Central governance structure to ensure key stakeholders are working together to drive the precincts success.
This follows the allocation of nearly $80 million in the 2025/26 Budget to begin implementing the Innovation Blueprint 2035, including $38.5 million to help Tech Central flourish.
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Tech Central is already home to a thriving tech ecosystem, producing more research and inventions than anywhere else in NSW.
"The time is now to define our vision for Tech Central's future - one that is supported by innovators, for innovators.
"With a world-class metro system opening the precinct to more Sydneysiders than ever, and unicorn companies like Atlassian building its new Australian HQ in the precinct, our strategy ensures we consider the whole picture - from housing to nightlife - to secure the precinct's success for years to come.
"The Tech Central Economic Development Strategy provides a shared roadmap for Tech Central's future, with industry, university and government collaboration at its core."
Co-Founder and CEO of Atlassian Mike Cannon-Brookes said:
"We've backed Tech Central from the beginning because we believe in the vision. Australia has all the right ingredients for a world-class tech industry - the talent, the ideas, the track record of innovation - but a physical hub is what turns those foundations into a real ecosystem.
"We've seen globally that this kind of density can be rocket fuel for innovation. Credit to the NSW Government for backing such an ambitious project. Tech Central is a big bet on the future - and the kind of long-term thinking our industry needs."
University of Sydney Chancellor David Thodey said:
"The Tech Central Economic Development Strategy will accelerate ambitions for Sydney to become a world-leading digital and technology hub and the University of Sydney is excited to be involved.
"This will help combine the ambitions of government, industry and the education and training sector into a coordinated structure, to uplift our students, skilled innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and businesses."
University of Technology Sydney Vice-Chancellor Andrew Parfitt said:
"UTS welcomes this shared approach to attracting more investment, workers and businesses to the bustling Tech Central district.
"Innovation and collaboration are critical to the future success of New South Wales. As a long-term precinct partner, UTS welcomes the Government's commitment to supporting the establishment of enduring leadership and governance for Tech Central, which will underpin opportunities for research, capability development and industry collaboration."
Damian Kassabgi, CEO of Tech Council of Australia said:
"To make the most of the massive economic opportunity presented by the sector, we need a skilled and creative workforce: people with ideas, ambition and curiosity. And people need a home.
"Tech Central will be that home for Australia's technology industry. It's more than just physical infrastructure but a community where people can connect and collaborate.
"This investment shows the government's commitment to supporting and growing the sector, giving certainty to overseas talent and those in Australia looking towards the future of their careers that we have a strong, stable and competitive tech industry here in NSW."
