The NSW Government is partnering with coal-producing regions across the State to establish the Future Jobs and Investment Authority.
The Government says the Authority will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions – the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, and North West – from coal production towards other economic opportunities and employment.
The 2025-26 NSW Budget will include $27.3 million over four years to fund the Authority, initially focussing on the Hunter and Central West regions.
“Beyond its natural beauty, the Illawarra is a hub of economic activity and jobs from a diverse range of industries,” said Minister for the Illawarra & the South Coast, Ryan Park.
“The NSW Government is determined to ensure our region and its families continue to prosper, remain agile and seize on the opportunities of the future.
“I am particularly pleased that this Authority will have a local presence right here in the Illawarra.”
As part of its remit, the Future Jobs and Investment Authority will develop a framework to allow funding to be spent on projects like infrastructure and post-mining land use planning, skills mapping, feasibility assessments and training programs. This will be done in concert with the Federal Government’s Net Zero Economy Authority.
The Government has also pledged to continue its existing commitment to deliver $22.5 million into the fund each year.
The model of the Future Jobs and Investment Authority follows the release of a proposed structure in mid-2024, and ongoing consultation with workers, communities and industry. The final Authority model integrates much of the feedback received by the Government.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority will include:
- Establishing a coordinating Authority to be led by a Chief Executive Officer. The Authority will have a clear mandate to deliver tangible outcomes for coal-reliant regions.
- Establishing four local Divisions in the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West to support the Authority. This will ensure direct representation to the Authority and that all decisions are informed by local needs and priorities. Local Divisions will include representatives of industry, workers, local government and community groups to ensure local voices are guiding government action.
- Assuring accountability and governance through an advisory board reporting to the Minister for Natural Resources. The advisory board will be chaired by an independent Chair/Advocate and membership will include the chairs of each Local Division.
- Collaborating with the Net Zero Economy Authority and the Commonwealth Government to streamline projects and strengthen delivery.
- Enshrining the Authority in legislation, providing long-term certainty for communities.
Currently, around 25,000 people are directly employed in coal mines. While coal mining will continue for decades to come this, highlights the importance of establishing the Authority to begin planning for a future beyond coal.
The Future Jobs and Investment Authority will prioritise:
- Facilitating strategic land use planning, land prioritisation and activation, including land previously used for mining. This will enable new and emerging employment-generating industries.
- Driving investment attraction activities to support the development of new industries in coal-producing communities.
- Developing new initiatives to ensure workers are equipped with necessary training to create a stable and secure future for them, their families and their communities.
- Undertaking detailed data collection and analysis to inform the timing of impacts on workers and the economy and drive a strong evidence-based approach to government action.
- Leading effective consultation, collaboration and partnership with local communities, and sharing that engagement across NSW Government agencies, and all three levels of government.
“The Future Jobs & Investment Authority will play a key role in driving job creation in this region, including in the future energy sector. The Hunter has always been the engine room of NSW – now it’s time to position ourselves as a national leader in clean energy and advanced manufacturing as well,” said Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley.
“We need innovative, creative job opportunities, and the Authority opens up new possibilities, setting a clear pathway for growth. The Authority will work hand-in-hand with our local communities, industry and education providers to ensure our region is at the forefront of this transformation – not left behind by it.
“This is about putting the right structures in place to support our workers today while building a stronger, more diverse economy for tomorrow. It’s about future-proofing the Hunter, ensuring that we continue to be a place of opportunity, stability and prosperity for generations to come,” she said.
“We’ll be looking to the Authority to leverage its local expertise to identify and shape projects that will unlock the potential for new industrial and employment opportunities,” said Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos.
“Coal mining will continue to support thousands of local jobs and underpin the state’s energy grid for many years to come. As the global demand for coal decreases, we want to ensure we partner with workers, communities and regional centres to plan for the future.”
The NSW Government says it will legislate the changes over the coming months.
More information about the Future Jobs and Investment Authority is available on the Future Jobs and Investment Authority web page.
