The New South Wales Government is stepping up efforts to strengthen the state’s manufacturing and broader economic landscape by launching a new Investment Delivery Authority, backed by $17.7 million in the 2025–26 Budget.
The initiative aims to streamline approvals and boost productivity, with a particular focus on making NSW more attractive for large-scale business investment, including in advanced manufacturing and technology, as revealed in a news release.
According to Investment NSW, the new body will play a central role in fast-tracking significant projects across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, energy, and technology. The Authority is expected to assist around 30 major projects each year, potentially unlocking up to $50 billion in investment annually.
Premier Chris Minns said the new authority addresses longstanding concerns from industry stakeholders. “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,” Minns said.
“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.”
Modelled on the Housing Delivery Authority, the Investment Delivery Authority will help investors cut through bureaucracy, coordinate infrastructure planning, and advise on fast-track pathways for eligible projects. It will also evaluate reform options to further reduce regulatory barriers.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the state has taken industry feedback seriously. “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,” Mookhey said. “The Investment Delivery Authority is the turbocharger to drive economic growth across the state.”
Eligible projects must be valued at over $1 billion, able to commence development swiftly, and align with the state’s strategic priorities, such as the NSW Industry Policy and Trade & Investment Strategy.
The initiative will be supported by a multi-agency Investment Taskforce under Investment NSW, part of the Premier’s Department.
Planning Minister Paul Scully highlighted the Authority’s role in improving productivity. “Lifting productivity growth is a critical issue for NSW and we recognise the challenges businesses and investors face when it comes to bringing their projects to life,” Scully said.
“The Authority will identify and clear barriers that businesses may face, while advising on reforms that promote investment, competition and productivity in NSW.”
The Authority is also part of a broader economic agenda. The 2025–26 Budget includes nearly $80 million in new funding for the state’s Innovation Blueprint, a strategy designed to elevate NSW as a global hub for technology, innovation, and manufacturing.
This includes $6 million dedicated specifically to helping manufacturing businesses adopt cutting-edge technologies.
Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said the government is investing in the entire innovation pipeline. “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,” he said.
“The funding package will allow Tech Central to flourish as a melting pot for groundbreaking innovation, research, and lifestyle.”
Industry figures have welcomed the announcement. Daniel Hunter, CEO of Business NSW, called it a “game-changing step forward.” He said, “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.”
Craig Scroggie, CEO of NEXTDC, said the Authority will help NSW meet the demands of the digital future. “The Authority creates a faster path from planning to execution—reducing friction, aligning government, and providing the regulatory certainty private capital requires,” he said.
“AI infrastructure has outgrown traditional planning systems… This reform clears the path for accelerated approvals and long-term certainty—unlocking the investment required to deliver national capability.”
Carly Wishart, Managing Director of Corporate and International at AirTrunk, echoed this sentiment. “Streamlining planning and approval processes… is essential if Australia is to capitalise on the data centre growth opportunity and become a smart economy,” she said.
Kate Pounder, author of the Pounder Review and former Chair of the Tech Council of Australia, praised the targeted approach.
“Most hearteningly, this money will also go where it is needed most—to female founders, and those from diverse cultures and backgrounds, as well as our budding tech giants living and working in Western Sydney and regional NSW.”
Set to launch in the 2025–26 financial year, the Investment Delivery Authority will be overseen by senior leaders from across government, including the heads of the Premier’s Department, Treasury, Infrastructure NSW, and Planning.
