The NSW Government is encouraging businesses and investors to get their Expressions of Interest (EOIs) ready, with the first round of the Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) to open within weeks.
Announced today by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey at the National Tech Summit, the first round of EOIs will accelerate approvals for major projects aligned with government priorities, focusing on advanced technology and energy, including data centres, renewable energy and energy security projects, as well as hotel developments critical to visitor economy growth.
As the new front door to major investment, the IDA will break down barriers to large-scale private investment in NSW, by cutting red tape, coordinating across government and encouraging large projects across the state, the Treasurer said.
The IDA, modelled off the successful Housing Delivery Authority, is expected to assist around 30 large projects per year, bringing forward up to $50 billion of investment into NSW – boosting innovation, jobs and productivity.
“Seventeen of Australia’s tech unicorns – billion-dollar companies – are based here in NSW. These businesses are the engines of jobs and growth,” said Mr Mookhey.
“Supporting innovative businesses to scale is one of the greatest opportunities we have to improve the productivity and sustainability of the NSW economy.
“The Investment Delivery Authority is the vehicle to foster that growth – cutting red tape to boost productivity and jobs.”
The EOI process will open internationally and comes just weeks after the NSW Treasurer took part in the National Economic Reform Roundtable, where boosting investment and confidence in the business sector was identified as a key factor in driving productivity.
Eligibility criteria for the IDA include:
- A major project must be valued at $1 billion or more, be primarily non-residential, and related to data centres and technology, renewable energy and energy security;
- Hotel developments must meet a $200 million threshold, supporting the delivery of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which outlined the need for more diverse, high-quality accommodation;
- Applicants must demonstrate a capability to commence development quickly; and
- Identify where government can play a role in resolving barriers.
Future EOI rounds will be expanded across other industries, said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
“We want to attract major investment to NSW, so we have created this new mechanism to systematically identify major projects and their associated land use before they enter the planning system,” said Mr Scully.
“Just as we created the HDA to fast-track housing, we are now reforming the process for major new investment projects, so their needs are identified early, and the right resources and infrastructure are planned for and brought to bear.
“As part of the IDA, we will establish a dedicated planning assessments team within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, because we know the important role planning can play speeding up and in coordinating resources investment approvals.”
Projects recommended by the IDA will receive fast-track approvals for key initiatives, and support from a dedicated planning assessment team and multi-agency Investment Taskforce based in the Premier’s Department.
“Collaboration between government and industry, including through targeted initiatives like this, is such an important driver of tech sector growth and the benefits that will deliver for this State,” said Tech Council of Australia CEO, Damian Kassabgi.
“Fast and centralised approvals for digital infrastructure will be vital to making the most of the AI opportunity for Australia.”
The Investment Delivery Authority was announced in the 2025-26 NSW Budget with $17.7 million to support its work to drive investment, innovation and growth.
Comprised of the Secretary of the Premier’s Department, the Treasury Secretary, the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and the Chief Executive of Infrastructure NSW, the IDA will make recommendations to the Treasurer, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and the Minister for Industry and Trade.
Further information on eligibility criteria for the IDA is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/investment-nsw/investment-delivery-authority.
