The NSW Government has today pledged nearly $80 million in innovation funding as part of 2025-26 Budget to establish the Investment Delivery Authority.
Modelled after the successful Housing Delivery Authority, the Investment Delivery Authority will accelerate approvals for major projects across all industries, including advanced technologies and energy. The Government will invest $17.7m to create the Authority.
“The fact is major projects from the private sector are getting bogged down in red tape, which is making it harder to do business in NSW when we should be doing everything we can to get things moving,” said Premier, Chris Minns.
“Our state is open for business and this change will encourage more people to bring their best ideas to life in NSW, all backed by our government.
“We’ve made great progress with the Housing Delivery Authority. This reform is a big signal that NSW is not just open for business – it’s serious about being a global leader in innovation, industry, and investment.”
The Premier said the Investment Delivery Authority will help cut through red tape, coordinate across Government, and encourage investment.
It is expected to assist around 30 large projects per year, bringing forward up to $50 billion of investment each year.
The Authority is set to provide advice on how best to navigate the planning system while evaluating projects for fast-track assessment and coordinating the necessary infrastructure to deliver them. It will also be able to identify reforms to remove hurdles for private investment, and offer Government assistance to support a proponent if their project is chosen.
“We have listened to what we are being told, loud and clear: everything in NSW is awesome, except for how long it takes to get major projects done,” said NSW Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey.
“We are creating a way to address the blockages, speed up the process and ensure NSW is properly open for business.
“The Investment Delivery Authority is the turbocharger to drive economic growth across the state.”
The Investment Delivery Authority will accept expressions of interest from eligible domestic and international investment projects valued over $1 billion and will come into effect in the 2025-26 financial year.
CEO of Business NSW, Daniel Hunter described the Authority’s establishment as a ‘game-changer’ for NSW.
“With a clear plan to streamline approvals and coordinate government agencies, the new Investment Delivery Authority is exactly what NSW needs to turn ambition into action,” he said.
“Coupled with the Innovation Blueprint and nearly $80 million in new funding, this initiative will help transform breakthrough ideas into global enterprises – fostering the next Atlassian or Canva right here in our backyard.”
A multi-agency Investment Taskforce, in Investment NSW under the Premier’s Department, will support the Authority’s work.
The Investment Delivery Authority will comprise Premier’s Department Secretary, Simon Draper; Treasury Secretary, Michael Coutts-Trotter; Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Secretary, Kiersten Fishburn, and Infrastructure NSW Chief Executive, Tom Gellibrand.
It will make recommendations to the Treasurer, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, and the Minister for Industry and Trade.
Eligible projects must be able to commence development quickly and aligned with NSW Government priorities, as set out in policies including the NSW Industry Policy and Trade & Investment Strategy.
The Authority will not be restricted to a specific industry or sector. Major projects able to be considered may include hotels, data centres, renewable energy projects, and commercial developments.
“With this nearly $80 million of funding, we will ensure we nurture, grow, and support the next Afterpay, Atlassian, and Canva from the early stages through the most vulnerable periods of a startup’s life cycle – particularly just before the jump to commercialisation,” said Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology, Anoulack Chanthivong.
“The funding package will allow Tech Central – the largest tech innovation ecosystem in the country – to flourish as a melting pot for groundbreaking innovation, research, and lifestyle.
“We also understand that the best and brightest tech ideas aren’t just born in the inner city of Sydney, so we are providing startup support to our future tech superstars right across the state.”
