The New South Wales State 2025-26 State Budget was handed down on 24 June 2025. Here are some highlights:
Jobs and industry
- The Government is creating a new Investment Delivery Authority to fast-track proposals valued over $1 billion through its planning system and regulators.
- The $27.3 million Future Jobs and Investment Authority will coordinate new economic opportunities in coal-producing regions in the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West and North West.
- The $12.5 million NSW Take-Off Fund will boost the tourism and export industries.
- The Budget invests more than $140 million in protecting and growing primary industries through biosecurity enhancements, pest control, and additional funding for research and development.
- The Government will defer up to $250 million of royalties on new critical minerals projects, enabling investment in regional areas and supporting the energy transition.
- A $79.2 million package will cement New South Wales as the best place to innovate. This includes:
- $20 million for the Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund, including the continuation of the Biosciences Fund and Physical Sciences Fund, helping businesses commercialise research into marketable products and services.
- $6 million to establish an Innovative Manufacturing Adoption Fund, helping manufacturing businesses expand and adopt new technology.
- $4 million to establish the Diversity Pre-Accelerator Program to support founders from diverse backgrounds develop their business models and secure seed investment.
- $4 million will establish the Housing Innovation Network and Housing Construction Program to connect researchers, start-ups and industry, and promote new technologies that speed up housing construction.
- $700,000 for the extension of the National Space Industry Hub.
- A further $2.1 million will extend support for the Industry Capability Network.
Housing and planning
- The NSW Government will guarantee pre-sales for up to $1 billion of approved housing projects on a rolling basis, allowing developers to secure finance earlier and commence construction more quickly.
- $20.9 million to support regional councils to bring forward critical enabling infrastructure for new homes by funding interest on loans.
- $40.2 million to continue fee free apprenticeships and traineeships for priority qualifications.
Energy and climate change
- This Budget also includes an additional $579 million from the Australian Government to extend the national Energy Bill Relief payment, providing all households and eligible small businesses with energy bill rebates up to $150 between 1 July and the end of 2025.
Emergency services and disaster recovery
- $154.5 million for disaster recovery and relief measures in response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. This includes $125.5 million in immediate assistance in 2024-25.
- $358.3 million for disaster recovery and relief measures in response to the May 2025 East Coast floods. This includes $56.6 million in immediate assistance in 2024-25.
First Nations
- $23.8 million to revitalise First Nations languages through investment in community-led language programs across New South Wales.
- $23.1 million for culturally responsive community-led suicide prevention initiatives.
- $12.1 million for the Aboriginal Employment Program to enable Aboriginal people in regional communities to work on country and practice sustainable natural resource management.
- $11.8 million to continue the Community Connectors program and expand Aboriginal Language and Culture Nests to improve education outcomes for First Nations students.
Culture and sport
- $280.6 million for Screen NSW to support the Made in NSW and Post, Digital and Visual Effects Rebate programs.
- $135 million for Destination NSW events, promotion and industry support to grow the State’s visitor economy.
- $20 million for Sound NSW to implement the NSW Contemporary Music Strategy through grants programs, capacity-building initiatives and regulatory reform to strengthen the New South Wales music industry.
- $20 million for Create NSW to continue delivering services to support creative industries and the NSW Creative Communities Policy.
- $5 million for the Vibrant Streets Package, to support the NSW Government’s Vibrancy Reforms by creating more flexible, safe and welcoming streets, transport hubs and public spaces.
- $41.6 million to deliver the Better Open Spaces grant program to embed bestpractice inclusive design in public open spaces across New South Wales through a matched-funding council grants program.
- $14.5 million for Multicultural NSW to support community cohesion and the state’s diverse multicultural communities.
Cost-of-living relief
- $579 million for the Australian Government’s energy bill relief to households and small businesses.
- First Home Buyer Assistance transfer duty exemptions on properties valued less than $800,000 and concessional transfer duty on properties valued less than $1 million for eligible first home buyers.
- A $10,000 First Home Owner (New Homes) Grant for eligible first home buyers of a newly built house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar with a purchase price below $600,000 or land and new house package below $750,000.
- Around a 30% discount on the upfront cost of installing small-scale battery systems through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program (administered by the Australian Government) for eligible households and small businesses from 1 July 2025.
- Up to $1,500 discount (double the current incentive) through the Virtual Power Plant scheme from 1 July 2025.
- Extension of the $150 national Energy Bill Relief payment to the end of 2025 (automatically applied to electricity bills in $75 quarterly instalments) for all households and eligible small businesses – in partnership with the Australian Government.
Budget papers can be found here.