NSW government commits to $17.7 million investment in advanced technologies

As a part of the 2025-26 NSW budget.

The NSW government will be investing $17.7 million into advanced technologies – like data centres and AI – as a part of its 2025-26 budget.

This investment is a part of the state government’s Investment Delivery Authority plan where it aims make NSW a global hub for innovation and investment through its new Investment Delivery Authority plan.

The Investment Delivery Authority will accelerate approvals for major projects across all industries, including advanced technologies and energy.

The authority will have nearly $80 million in innovation funding to help the state become a global innovation hub.

In an announcement made today, the NSW minister for innovation, science and technology, Anoulack Chanthivong explained how this investment will help tech businesses and perhaps create the next Canva or Atlassian.

“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,” he said.

Technology businesses, like data centre giant, NextDC are welcoming the announcement.

Craig Scroggie, CEO and managing director of NextDC said in today’s geopolitical environment, trust and sovereignty are economic assets.

“As a Five Eyes nation, Australia is uniquely positioned to lead the next industrial era, and New South Wales is stepping up to that role,” he said.

“The Investment Delivery Authority is about execution. It reflects a deep understanding of the five pillars now shaping global AI infrastructure: speed, scale, security, sustainability, and sovereignty.”

Scroggie explained that speed and scale are the new currency of global leadership.

“The Authority creates a faster path from planning to execution - reducing friction, aligning government, and providing the regulatory certainty private capital requires,” he said.

As part of the Investment Delivery Authority, it will siphon $38.5 million to fund Tech Central, Australia’s largest tech and innovation district, spanning six neighbourhoods and anchored by several universities.

Chanthivong said the funding package will allow Tech Central - the largest tech innovation ecosystem in the country – to flourish as a melting pot for 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,” he said.

The NSW government has pledged $6 million to support manufacturing businesses to adopt innovative technologies.

It has also committed $4 million to support tech founder diversity by providing training programs for female founders and our future tech leaders living and working in Western Sydney and regional NSW.