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New insights from the Department of Customer Service have revealed that the state’s renters are feeling empowered, protected and confident in the first year of the Minns Labor Government’s landmark reforms.

Over the last 12 months, the Government has made renting fairer by banning no-grounds evictions, limiting rent increases to once per year, ensuring renters have fee-free ways to pay rent, banning illegal fees for background checks, making it easier to have pets in rentals and announcing the launch of Smart Rental Bonds later this year.

The new laws are working – and renters are now feeling the effects. An exclusive survey by the Department has revealed that:

• Almost three in four renters feel better protected with the reforms.
• 76% of renters stated the reforms provide more security and stability.
• Nearly four in five renters stated they feel safe knowing they will not be evicted from their property without a valid reason thanks to the Government’s ban on no-grounds evictions.

Renters have lauded these changes, with 85% happy with fee-free ways to pay their rent, 82% glad they no longer have to pay for a background check, and 82% pleased that rent increases are limited to once per year.

Renters are increasingly seeking information about their rights and reporting potential breaches as well, with visits to the NSW Government’s rental website increasing tenfold.

The NSW Rental Taskforce has also worked hard to enforce new cost-saving laws, refunding around $180,000 to renters stung by illegal rent payment and background check fees over the past year.

84% of renters have also responded positively to the planned roll-out of Smart Rental Bonds in mid-2026, which will save them thousands of dollars each time they move by allowing them to transfer their bond from one property to the next.

The 2.3 million renters across NSW are set to receive more certainty in the coming months thanks to Government’s laws making it easier for victim-survivors to leave rental properties. The Government also has legislation before NSW Parliament to protect renters’ privacy and crack down on rental ads that have been digitally altered to mislead them.

This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to create a fairer, more transparent property market and make renting fairer.

To find out more about rental reforms and how they benefit renters, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/fair-trading/news/changes-to-rental-laws

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“One year ago, the Minns Labor Government delivered historic reforms to make renting fairer.

“Now, we’re seeing the results.

“This new data shows overwhelmingly that our rental reforms are making a real difference, giving renters greater security, more certainty and putting money back in their pockets.

“Because we’ve pulled every lever and done the hard yards to deliver a system that works for renters in every corner of NSW.

“The Liberals gave renters broken promises. Only a Labor Government can deliver results.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said:

“Nearly three in four renters are telling us these reforms are working because they feel more protected, more secure, and more confident in the system.

“We’re also seeing strong support from landlords, with around two‑thirds saying changes like Smart Rental Bonds are positive. That’s exactly what good regulation should deliver clearer, fairer rules and greater certainty for everyone in the rental market.”

The Minns Labor Government is speeding up the delivery of thousands of new homes through the Housing Delivery Authority which has created a pipeline of 150,000 potential new homes in just 18 months.

The latest round declared a further 94 proposal state significant adding more than 22,000 potential new homes to the state significant planning pathway to help speed up housing supply across the state and help address NSW’s housing challenges.

This clears a backlog of EOIs in the HDA pathway, created by significant demand, and will enable the Government to meet the ongoing commitment to have HDA EOIs considered within 60 days.

The Housing Delivering Authority is helping increase supply right across NSW with projects declared in close to 50 local government areas, so people can live in the communities they choose.

If all 484 declared proposals are lodged and approved, it could create more than 134,000 homes in Greater Sydney and close to 16,400 homes in regional NSW, including affordable housing.

To date fourteen HDA projects have been approved, unlocking more than 2500 homes and a further 74 development application have been lodged representing around 26,000 potential new homes.

Since being established in December 2024, the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) has evaluated more than 1,100 expressions of interest from industry against published criteria, identifying proposals that will deliver homes in well-located areas that can be assessed and constructed quickly.

The HDA cuts months from standard development timelines, with strict timelines requiring proponents to lodge their SSD applications within 9 months of Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) being issued and construction to begin within 12 months of a project’s approval.

The HDA is now a permanent part of the planning system thanks to landmark reforms designed to make the system faster and fairer that passed Parliament with almost universal support last year.

The HDA is part of the Minns Labor Governments broader housing delivery agenda, alongside landmark planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book and the largest rezoning program in the state’s history.

Together these reforms have sped up the planning system dropping assessment times by close to a third and increased housing supply with approvals up 20 per cent from 2023 and close to 80,000 homes currently under construction.

For more information visit the Housing Delivery Authority web page.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Housing Delivery Authority is delivering real results for housing in NSW, creating a pipeline of more than 150,000 potential homes so families, young people and downsizers can find a home sooner.

“I look forward to seeing these HDA projects progress through the planning system to then become the homes NSW needs.

“The initiative has far exceeded expectations and each of the homes currently in the pipeline demonstrate why we made it a permanent planning pathway.

“The HDA has been crucial to the Minns Labor Government’s broader plan to increase supply right across the state, helping NSW have more homes under construction than any other state.”

Western Sydney communities including Narellan, Oran Park and Mt Druitt are now connected by five new permanent bus routes launched this week, bringing the total number of new services installed by the Minns Labor Government to 5,910.

The new routes from Liverpool (825 and 860), Campbelltown (845 and the enhanced 840), Penrith (790) and Mount Druitt (772) will connect communities that have been underserviced by public transport with train stations, shops, hospitals, jobs and the new Western Sydney International Airport.

These services will run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week, totalling 2,626 services across the week.

This $302.7 million investment is part the Minns Labor Government’s work to rebuild and expand bus services in NSW, after the 2024 Bus Industry Taskforce found buses had been “neglected” and “underfunded” under the former Liberal-National government.

In the recent budget the Minns Labor Government announced an additional record investment of $6.5 billion for hundreds of new electric buses and electric bus depots to reduce our reliance on foreign fuels, meet the needs of the growing community and underpin a revival of domestic bus manufacturing.

To support the new services, the NSW Government is also investing in bus infrastructure. This includes upgrading driver facilities at some of the busiest interchanges in the state such as Mt Druitt, Blacktown, Bankstown, Parramatta and Fairfield and installing new signs at bus stops across Western Sydney.

The NSW Government is also partnering with selected Western Sydney councils to deliver more than 30 new bus shelters along the new routes as part of the $1.5 million trial Bus Shelter Program.

Since coming to office, the Minns Labor Government has:

• Added nearly 6000 new bus services, the majority in Western Sydney.
• Restored the popular M52 Parramatta to CBD via Ryde service and the 301 Rosebery to Eastgardens service.
• Reduced the bus driver shortage down from over 500 to under 200.
• Ordered 923 new buses including 50 new articulated (bendy) buses and 10 new decker buses.
• Increased local content to over 50% of over half the buses ordered.

For important travel advice and to plan your trip on public transport visit transportnsw.info/trip-planner

Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“As Western Sydney grows, the public transport network needs to grow with it, and this is exactly what the Minns Labor Government is delivering.

“Whether it’s public transport, schools, roads, or hospitals, the Minns Labor Government is working to ensure Western Sydney has the essential services that our communities deserve.”

Minister for Transport John Graham said:

“These services will connect hundreds of thousands of Western Sydney residents with the new airport, months before it opens for passenger services.

“Some of these communities have never had decent public transport. These services will change people’s lives by giving them regular connection to train stations, jobs, health service and the new Western Sydney International Airport.

“The former government privatised bus services, cut routes, created a driver shortage, failed to order new buses and sent bus manufacturing jobs offshore. We are doing what the Bus Industry Taskforce recommended – rebuilding the bus network for the people of New South Wales.

“Under a Labor government you’re seeing more buses, bus services, bus drivers and bus shelters; and we are rebuilding local bus manufacturing.”

Member for Camden Sally Quinnell said:

“Camden is one of the fastest-growing communities in the country, and these new bus routes will give local families better access to jobs, education, healthcare, and essential services while improving connections across south-west Sydney.”

Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said:

“As our region continues to grow, it is so important that we have appropriate and effective public transport options and infrastructure. The Minns Labor Government is delivering just that for my community in Campbelltown, and across Western Sydney more broadly.”

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

“These new bus routes are a positive step forward for our growing communities across Leppington and South Western Sydney.

“They’ll make it easier for people to get to work, school, healthcare and the new Western Sydney International Airport. As our area continues to grow, we need to keep investing in the public transport our community needs and relies on.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:

“For more than a decade, Western Sydney was left behind when it came to public transport. The Minns Labor Government is changing that by delivering the permanent bus routes and services that Liverpool’s growing community has been calling for.

“Whether it’s getting to work, school, Liverpool Hospital or the new Western Sydney International Airport, these new bus routes will make everyday travel easier for local families and help keep our growing community connected.”

Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla said:

“This investment is about delivering the public transport Western Sydney deserves with more frequent services, better connections and cleaner electric buses that will benefit our growing communities for years to come.”

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, OAM said:

“The new 790 bus service will be a gamechanger for Penrith, giving residents a direct and convenient connection to the WSI Airport precinct.

“This is exactly the kind of practical transport investment our community deserves as Western Sydney continues to expand.

“It will also improve access to local jobs, training, healthcare and education facilities, helping residents get where they need to go more easily and supporting a better-connected future for Penrith.”

NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs can now apply for a share of $5.5 million through the Minns Labor Government’s Surf Club Facility Program, to upgrade, rebuild or future-proof the facilities that keep our beaches safe.

The program backs projects from concept to completion, with grants of up to $1 million available across three categories, including design and planning.

This year’s funding round has a focus on climate resilience, ensuring clubs can withstand extreme weather and severe storm events, as well as boosting participation so more people from all backgrounds can get involved in surf life saving.

It’s part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to investing in frontline community infrastructure, backing the volunteers who keep our beaches safe every single day.

Applications for Category 1 close 1pm Monday, 17 August 2026. Applications for Categories 2 and 3 close 1pm Monday, 31 August 2026.

For further information and to apply visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:  

“Our surf life savers turn up rain, hail or shine. This funding makes sure their clubs can too.

“Storm-proofed clubhouses, more volunteers through the door, safer beaches for everyone. That’s what this program delivers.

“From the Northern Rivers to the South Coast, we’re backing the clubs that keep our beaches safe all year round.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:  

“As we prepare for the upcoming patrol season, this program, alongside other recent investments in surf lifesaving, means our dedicated volunteers can continue their incredible work of protecting beachgoers along the NSW coast.”

President of Surf Life Saving NSW Elissa Hancock said:  

“Surf Life Saving NSW is proud to boast a passionate and ever-growing membership base of over 86,000 across the state who volunteer their time for the benefit of their communities.

“Programs such as this one allow us to provide safe, secure and accessible facilities to those members and the communities they protect.

“We’re extremely grateful to the NSW Government for making this funding available to our 129 surf clubs once again – ensuring they are fit-for-purpose is vital to their continued relevance and value.” 

The NSW Liberals and Nationals are demanding an independent review as horrific details emerge about a child’s death at Wyong on the Central Coast.

Shadow Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the Minister must be transparent given confirmation from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) that it previously had contact with the family.

“My thoughts are with the child’s family, loved ones and everyone in the community affected by this unimaginable loss. This is a heartbreaking tragedy.” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“This unthinkable tragedy is unfortunately not the first case where this government has failed to protect our most vulnerable children, in the last year alone.”

“The Minister must explain what interventions were made, if any, and why they were not enough to prevent this devastating outcome.”

Natasha Maclaren-Jones said tens of thousands of children assessed as ‘at risk‑of‑significant‑harm’ (ROSH) are not receiving timely intervention, or intervention at all.

“The government knows there are workforce shortages, overwhelming caseloads, and gaps in early intervention, this case raises serious concerns, and an independent investigation must be conducted.” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“The people of New South Wales deserve transparency, an independent review into this case, and a clear plan to strengthen frontline child protection services before another tragedy occurs.”