The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver its plan for building better communities in Western Sydney by investing in the critical infrastructure and services needed in both fast-growing and established areas to connect and support local families with jobs and recreation.
The first two Budgets of the Minns Labor Government laid strong foundations for delivering our commitments for Western Sydney. The NSW Budget 2025-26 builds on this track record, investing in and delivering billions of dollars of infrastructure and services needed to support Western Sydney's growth and build stronger communities.
Education and Early Learning
Almost 37 per cent of NSW households with children live in Western Sydney, which is why the Minns Labor Government is delivering significant investments in our children's future. This includes:
- an additional $10.4 billion in funding for every NSW public school student under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement with the Commonwealth, the single largest investment in NSW history
- $3.9 billion over four years for new and upgraded schools across Western Sydney. This includes new schools in Box Hill, Emerald Hills, Gables, Grantham Farm, Nirimba Fields, Tallawong and Wilton
- $84 million for upgrades to 14 Western Sydney schools as part of expanded High Potential and Gifted Education partner school program
- our historic investment to build 100 new public preschools by 2027, 51 of which will be located in Western Sydney. The first at Gulyangarri Public School in Liverpool opened last year and construction is now underway at Blackett, Miller and Cabramatta West Public Schools.
Investment by the Minns Labor Government to address the teacher shortage crisis we inherited includes scrapping the wages cap, delivering a historic pay rise for teachers, reducing excessive administrative workload, making thousands of teachers permanent and valuing the profession.
This has led to schools in Western Sydney starting the 2025 school year with 54 per cent fewer vacancies from the peak of the teacher shortage crisis in 2022.
Health
We have committed to a significant program of investment to usher in a new era of healthcare where Western Sydney residents can access world class public healthcare close to home.
$3.4 billion over four years for new and upgraded hospitals in Western Sydney, including:
- $700 million in additional funding for new Bankstown hospital
- $492 million to develop a Statewide Pathology Hub at Westmead
- $90 million to provide the full range of maternity and birthing services within the new Rouse Hill Hospital
- $40.1 million to fit out new Paediatric Services Building
- $22.3 million to establish new paediatric hospice at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Roads and transport
With almost 33 per cent of the state's workforce living in Western Sydney, investing in our roads and transport is vital to keep up with the region's growth, and ensuring local residents are better connected and can get back home to their families sooner. In partnership with the Australian Government, some $5.5 billion will be spent over four years for upgrading Western Sydney roads, up from $5.2 billion in last year's Budget.
This includes a $156 million package for North Western Sydney arterial roads including around the new Rouse Hill Hospital, and almost $150 million to get on with planning and delivering roads infrastructure and services around the Aerotropolis.
Other projects with new allocations, joint with the Australian Government, include:
- An additional $100 million towards the upgrade of the Homebush Bay Drive intersection with Australia Avenue, bringing the total allocation for that project to $200 million
- $220 million to deliver the next stage of the Henry Lawson Drive Upgrade
- $80 million for the Western Sydney Heavy Vehicle Rest Area.
Work will continue on other major road commitments in Western Sydney, including:
- $220.0 million for the next stage of Henry Lawson Drive
- more than $1 billion over four years for Mamre Road Stages 1 and 2
- $580.1 million over four years for the Elizabeth Drive Upgrade
- Ccose to $550million over four years for duplication of Richmond Road
- $455.3million over four years for the New Richmond Bridge
- more than $250 million over four years for Mulgoa Road Stages 1 and 2.
We are also delivering three new Metros, including:
- $10.8 billion over four years for Sydney Metro West, connecting Parramatta with the Sydney CBD
- $3.6 billion for the Western Sydney Airport Metro over four years
- $801.4 million over four years for the City to Southwest Metro, transforming the former T3 Bankstown line.
Aerotropolis
This Budget continues the work of getting the Aerotropolis back on track after a decade of inaction and underinvestment by the former Liberal National Government. Together with the Albanese Labor Government, the Minns Labor Government has invested over $25 billion in infrastructure projects in the Aerotropolis including:
- $3.6 billion over four years for the Western Sydney Airport metro
- more than $2 billion for the toll-free M12 motorway
- $1.0 billion for the first stage of the Fifteenth Avenue Upgrade linking Liverpool to the new airport
- more than $1 billion in enabling works to kick-start development at Bradfield City Centre
- $42.2 million to staff the 24/7 fire station, building on last year's $15.4 million investment to deliver the station.
Cost-of-living
In 2025-26, the NSW Government will continue cost of living measures introduced over the past two Budgets, providing immediate relief to households alongside delivering ongoing long-term reform, including:
- energy bill relief that extends the $150payment to the end of 2025 for all Western Sydney households and eligible small businesses
- expanded First Home Buyers Assistance, with Western Sydney saving around a total of $460.5 million in transfer duty from 1 July 2023 to 1 June 2025
- low-income households in Western Sydney have benefited from $212.3 million in energy rebates and concessions
- Western Sydney motorists have benefitted the most from toll relief, with more than $86.3 million in claims from January 2024 to May 2025.
Planning and essential services
The funding from the 2025-26 Budget will see $9.2 million investment keep Western Sydney's favourite swim spot, Pondi, open for two more summers and upgrades to the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
We are committing $42.2 million to recruit 52 new firefighters to staff the 24/7 Badgerys Creek Fire Station. This builds on the Governments $15.4 million investment last year, and is set to be the largest fire station in South West Sydney.
Acting Minister for Western Sydney Courtney Houssos said:
"The Minns Labor Government, with the tireless advocacy of Deputy Premier Prue Car, continues to deliver for the people of Western Sydney, providing for the growing communities who need it the most.
"For too long, investment in this vital infrastructure has not kept pace with the region's continued growth.
"We are continuing to build better communities and provide the infrastructure and services long promised but never delivered by the former Liberal National government - like schools, hospitals and roads."
