Category: NSW News

Eighteen-year-old Brodie Taylor from Albury-Wodonga has made history-becoming the first known badged wheelchair netball umpire in New South Wales, and possibly Australia, after recently receiving his C Badge accreditation.

Brodie’s journey into umpiring is remarkable not just for the milestone it represents, but for the determination and collaboration that made it possible.

“I honestly wasn’t planning on getting badged this year,” Brodie said. “I was just umpiring at a local Schools Cup event when Amanda [McLachlan] from Netball NSW came up to me and said, ‘Look, we’ve all been watching you-we’re very impressed. Would you consider going for your badge?’ I thought, why not? My mum’s badged, and this felt like a good achievement-something I never thought I’d do.”

Brodie lives with acute transverse myelitis, a rare neurological condition that caused a spinal cord injury when he was just seven months old. He has spent his life in and out of power wheelchairs and undergoing surgeries. Despite the challenges, netball became a constant-thanks to his mum.

“I was always around the courts with Mum on Saturdays. My sister was off dancing with Nan, my brother was with Dad at rugby, and I just sat with Mum. I started out doing stats as her team manager. I love my stats-that’s what got me hooked.”

Brodie moved into coaching in 2023 and instantly made an impact, taking a club team to a premiership win and continuing to grow as a leader. His desire to empower young players shines through.

“I believe in showing our girls that they have potential-that they are just as capable as anyone else. That’s what I see as my role in netball.”

This year, he took up umpiring more seriously-just for fun at first-only to discover he had a knack for it. His talent didn’t go unnoticed.

Behind the scenes, Netball NSW worked hard to support Brodie’s accreditation journey. With guidance from Netball NSW Workforce Manager Chris Hall, the organisation worked with Netball Australia to navigate existing umpiring frameworks and make the pathway accessible for Brodie. Adjustments were made without compromising the integrity of the game or the standards required for badging.

Brodie’s C Badge assessment took place at Hume Netball Association in Jindera, south west NSW-cementing his place in netball history.

His story is not only a celebration of personal achievement, but also a reflection of what an inclusive sport netball is. With support, belief and opportunity, Brodie is proving that barriers can be broken-on and off the court.

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales, with new legislation to strengthen protections for victim-survivors of sexual violence and toughen penalties for perpetrators.

A suite of reforms will be introduced to parliament next week which will bring New South Wales into line with other Australian jurisdictions and respond to gaps in existing legislation.

To continue to strengthen protections for young people, amendments to the Crimes Act 1900 will raise the age threshold for the definition of ‘child’ from 16 years to 18 years of age for the purposes of the child abuse material offences. This brings New South Wales into line with relevant Commonwealth offences and increases protections from sexual exploitation.

Child abuse material offences cover the production, possession and dissemination of this material as well as offences related to administering or encouraging use of digital platforms to distribute this material.

The Crimes Act will also be amended to make it easier to prosecute people who commit sexual acts in the presence of children, but with improper intent because of the presence of the child.

This reform brings New South Wales into line with community expectations that the law must always protect the safety and wellbeing of children.

Closing an existing hole in New South Wales laws, a provision will be added to the Act to ensure that sexual offenders who either sexually assault someone or indecently interfere with their body after death are unable to escape prosecution when the time of death is unknown, making which specific crime occurred unclear.

Under this provision, when it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that one of these two crimes occurred, but it is uncertain due to the timing of death which one, the accused will be sentenced on the basis of whichever offence has the lesser maximum penalty. Previously they would have been unpunished.

This reform is in direct response to an issue raised in the coronial inquest into the tragic deaths of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose “Cindy” Smith and the tireless advocacy of their families for reform.

The penalty for indecently assaulting a deceased person will also be increased.

This suite of reforms will also strengthen laws criminalising female genital mutilation, ensuring they are in line with community expectations. These reforms will clarify that female genital mutilation is a crime regardless of the reason or motivation or age of the victim, while ensuring medically necessary practices are protected into the future.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s legislative agenda which works to build a safer New South Wales, where women and children are protected and perpetrators are held to account. This reform work has also included:

• making it harder than ever for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail
• introducing electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders
• strengthening laws to protect against repeated breaches of ADVOs
• making changes to bail courts across New South Wales to ensure bail decisions are made by magistrates and judges – not registers.

This legislation will be introduced the day after the Minns Labor Government hands down the 2025-2026 NSW budget, which includes more than half a billion in funding to increase support for victim survivors and support stronger responses against perpetrators across the justice, support services and corrections spaces.

Attorney General, Michael Daley said:

“The Minns Labor Government stands with victim-survivors.

“We are ensuring that women and children are better protected from sexual abuse and exploitation.

“Our Government is closing loopholes and strengthening the law to make it easier to prosecute those who commit acts of sexual violence.

“I thank the families of Mona Lisa and Jacinta Rose ‘Cindy’ Smith for their bravery and advocacy in the face of tragedy to strengthen New South Wales laws to better protect victims.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison said:

“We are working to build a safer New South Wales for women and children, and these reforms are vital in ensuring our laws provide the protection that victims deserve.

“Sexual and abuse and exploitation is unacceptable, at the same time as we are investing in support services for victim survivors, we are ensuring that perpetrators are held to account.

“We will continue to work with experts, advocates and victim survivors to address the impact of domestic and sexual violence across our state.”

NSW is set to secure our place as a global hub for innovation and investment with the creation of the Minns Labor Government’s Investment Delivery Authority and nearly $80 million in innovation funding as part of the 2025-26 Budget.

The Government’s third Budget puts investment, productivity and economic growth front and centre, delivering reforms that will make NSW an attractive place to invest and start a business, and securing the future of our state.

Investment Delivery Authority to attract and accelerate major investment

The Minns Labor Government is investing $17.7 million in the 2025-26 Budget to establish and support the work of an 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.

Businesses have said that making major investments in NSW is too complex and too time consuming, which is slowing down productivity.

The Investment Delivery Authority will address this by helping 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.

It will 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.

The Investment Delivery Authority 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.

This makes it easier for businesses to invest, build and create jobs in NSW.

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.

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.

Innovation Blueprint: Growing the economy through investment to secure NSW’s future

The Minns Labor Government is working to cement NSW as a global hub for innovation and technology through the recently launched Innovation Blueprint.

The 2025-26 Budget includes nearly $80 million of new funding to deliver the Innovation Blueprint, which will establish NSW as the best place to innovate, connect with investors, and scale a business.

With NSW accounting for 65 per cent of the nation’s venture capital investment in 2024, and being home to five out of eight Australian unicorn companies (privately held companies valued at over $1 billion), the state is already a recognised leader in driving economic growth through innovation.

The funding package for the Innovation Blueprint will promote more global success stories like Afterpay, Atlassian and Canva in the years ahead through the following groundbreaking initiatives:

• $38.5 million to turbocharge Tech Central, Australia’s largest technology and innovation hub
• $20 million for Emerging Technology Commercialisation to drive growth and productivity in key areas such as Housing and Energy
• $6 million to extend the existing Minimum Viable Products Ventures program to support more startups at the early stages of development
• $6 million to support manufacturing businesses to adopt innovative technologies
• $4 million to promote housing construction through the Housing Innovation Network and the Innovation in Construction Fund
• $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
• $700,000 to extend the operation of National Space Industry Hub.

Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said:

“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.

“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.”

Treasurer of NSW, Daniel Mookhey said:

“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.

“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.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:

“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.

“The Investment Delivery Authority, supported by the Investment Taskforce, will identify and clear barriers that businesses may face, while advising on reforms that promote investment, competition and productivity in NSW.”

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“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.

“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.”

Author of Pounder Review and Former Chair of the Tech Council of Australia, Kate Pounder said:

“This significant investment in innovation will cement NSW as a world leader in the tech sector.

“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.”

CEO of Business NSW, Daniel Hunter said:

“This is a game-changing step forward for New South Wales.

“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.

“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.”

CEO & Managing Director of NEXTDC, Craig Scroggie 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. 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.

“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. NEXTDC has over $15 billion in AI infrastructure projects planned across NSW – including AI factories, high-density data centres, and mission-critical operations centres. This reform allows us to build the digital backbone of the future – faster, and at global scale.

“AI infrastructure has outgrown traditional planning systems. These aren’t just data centres – they’re sovereign-scale assets designed to power the AI era. Conventional frameworks are now facing first-of-a-kind scale challenges. This reform clears the path for accelerated approvals and long-term certainty – unlocking the investment required to deliver national capability and positioning NSW as a global destination for next-generation digital infrastructure.”

Managing Director, Corporate and International, AirTrunk, Carly Wishart said:

“Streamlining planning and approval processes for development permits and power allocation is essential if Australia is to capitalise on the data centre growth opportunity and become a smart economy.

“If Australia is to be a leading digital economy and build its own artificial intelligence capability, then it must have the necessary digital infrastructure and renewable energy needed to support it.

“AirTrunk welcomes the NSW Minns Government announcement in recognising that the race to build AI infrastructure is a global one and speed to build is the critical factor.  We look forward to working with the Investment Delivery Authority to hasten planning processes, ensuring that NSW and Australia get the productivity boosting benefits of AI.”

Tomorrow, Chris Minns, and Daniel Mookhey will hand down their third state budget — while declaring the previous 10 years of progress in New South Wales a mistake.

Last week their government dismissed a decade of delivery, change and transformational infrastructure as “vanity” and they’re now asking households across NSW to believe that doing less, building slower and dreaming smaller is a vision for the future.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Minns Labor Government is not focused on your mortgage, your children’s future or the services people rely on — they’re focused on rewriting history.

“The former Coalition Government delivered a decade of leadership, with record investment in health, housing, education, and the infrastructure that makes our lives work,” Mr Speakman said. 

“That decade changed NSW — this budget risks wasting it.”

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said what Labor calls “vanity” is what millions of families depend on every day.

“What this Labor Government calls ‘vanity’ is what delivered jobs, trains, schools, and hospitals for millions of families across NSW.

“They want to cancel the future and rewrite the past. But parents doing the school run, households trying to get ahead, and workers stuck in traffic don’t have the luxury of Labor’s no ideas for change,” Mr Tudehope said. 

After 2 years in power, the Minns Labor Government still can’t explain how they’ll make housing more affordable, how they’ll fix emergency departments, or how they’ll deliver the next wave of opportunity.

This budget is their chance, but it’s also their test.

NSW can’t afford a government that governs by press conference and always fails to deliver. 

Families deserve leadership — not reannouncements and lectures.

Spectators were treated to a thrilling display of world-class netball on Sunday, as a sell-out crowd of more than 10,000 fans packed Ken Rosewall Arena to witness the best athletes in New South Wales go head-to-head in the highly anticipated Suncorp Super Netball Derby between the NSW Swifts and GIANTS Netball.  NSW Minister for Sport, the Honourable Stephen Kamper MP, delivered the match ball on court and addressed guests at a pre-game function, where he spoke about the importance of netball, it’s amazing female role models and the power of sport to connect and strengthen communities.  “Today is a celebration of the incredible growth and power of women’s sport in New South Wales,” Minister Kamper said. “The NSW Netball Derby is more than just a game — it’s a celebration of the state’s fiercest athletes and most passionate fans. It’s a showcase of skill, heart, and the unifying power of sport.” Looking ahead to the 2027 Netball World Cup, to be hosted in Sydney, the Minister highlighted the long-term impact of the event. “The 2027 Netball World Cup will be a defining moment for Australian sport. It’s not just about hosting the world’s best—it’s about creating real, lasting impact. The future of netball and women’s sport has never been brighter. We have seen unprecedented participation across the last few years. Including a record 2024 for Netball NSW, with the largest number of participant registrations in the organisation’s near 100-year history.” In a strong show of support, Netball NSW was also honoured to host Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, along with Members of Parliament Felicity Wilson, Donna Davis, Eleni Petinos, Tim James, David Harris, and Jodie Harrison.

Netball NSW Chief Executive Tracey Scott welcomed the Minister’s remarks and the presence of government representatives, noting the significance of the occasion.  “It’s inspiring to see our sport celebrated on such a grand stage, with the support of our state leaders and a crowd that reflects the strength of our netball community,” she said.   “We’re incredibly grateful to the Minister and all MPs in attendance for recognising the power of netball and the role it plays in shaping lives.”   While the Swifts and GIANTS delivered a fierce contest on court, the Swifts won 75 – 66, the 20th NSW Derby became something even more—a powerful moment of unity, purpose and pride in women’s sport.

Two much awaited Hunter Valley projects have received a major boost in this year’s State Budget, with the Thornton Bridge duplication project to receive an additional $35 million to get on with construction.

The additional $35 million in new funding for Thornton Bridge builds on existing funding of $15 million in previous State Budgets to kickstart planning work, making a total commitment of $50 million from the Minns Labor Government.

This is on top of $100 million to deliver a Westbound Overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland, recently committed by the Albanese Labor Government to enable major work to be undertaken.

These projects are prime examples of the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments getting on with providing fast growing communities facing traffic congestion with the new and widened roads they need.

When delivered, the Thornton Bridge project will ease congestion and expand access to Thornton Road which is an essential flood-free route for local residents during natural disasters.

Transport for NSW are currently carrying out early works, which includes surveying the road surface of Thornton Road and Railway Avenue between Huntingdale Drive and Glenroy Street that will help inform a design solution for the project.

Thornton Bridge is one of the many vital regional road projects that the former Coalition government failed to complete in 12 years. Instead, the former government removed the cap on development north of the bridge, allowing more homes to be built without committing more funding to regional infrastructure.

The NSW Government has quickly added the recent commitment by the Australian Government of $100 million to deliver a westbound overpass on the New England Highway at Maitland Station into its forward program of road projects.

Early investigation work has been completed by Transport for NSW, so work can begin quickly when design scoping is complete and construction contracts signed. The Hunter is the most populous area of regional NSW, with more than one million people living in the region.

These projects add to a long list of improvements to major road projects in the Hunter Region to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and bolster road safety. This includes:

• the Singleton bypass
• the Muswellbrook bypass
• upgrades to the New England Highway
• the Golden Highway upgrade projects
• Newcastle Inner City Bypass
• extension of the M1 Pacific Motorway to Raymond Terrace
• widening of Hexham Straight to connect journeys from M1/Hunter Expressway through to the Port of Newcastle
• Nelson Bay Road from Williamtown to Bobs Farm Upgrade
• other intersection and road upgrades.

NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said:

“The Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering the roads infrastructure that the Hunter Valley community needs.

“This is a fast-growing community that needs new and improved road links to bust congestion and improve safety.

“The Liberals and Nationals prioritised building massive toll roads in Sydney at the expense of regional roads but the Minns Government is determined to get important regional infrastructure back on track.

“Peak hour congestion around Thornton Bridge is so bad it is like a massive car park. This will be a game changer for the community connecting people to home, work and essential services.

“When the eastern overpass of the Maitland Station roundabout opened in 2016, I said it was a job half-done. I am delighted that the Australian Government has stepped in to support the NSW Government to deliver this essential project.”

NSW Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley, said:

“The Hunter is quickly becoming one of the best places to live, work and play– and that means we need smart, future-ready infrastructure to keep up – something the Minns Labor Government is getting on with delivering.

“We’re focused on the essentials like safer roads, stronger bridges and upgraded intersections that locals use every single day – cutting congestion, boosting safety and making life easier for everyone.

“We’re already delivering major projects like the Singleton Bypass, the Muswellbrook Bypass, the Newcastle Inner City Bypass and the M1 extension to Raymond Terrace – and this is just another step forward in getting it done for our communities.”

Federal MP for Paterson Meryl Swanson said:

“The Westbound Overpass project will improve safety, reduce congestion, and make travel easier for families and businesses.

“It will be a game-changer for daily commuters, finishing what was left incomplete and give Maitland the infrastructure it deserves.

“This is about the safe travel of local residents, businesses, and tourists and maintaining vital links in our community.”

The Minns Labor Government will introduce amendments to the Member for Wakehurst’s Private Member’s Bill next week, which would enable the NSW Government, if required, to terminate the Northern Beaches PPP contract as if a hospital operator default had occurred.

This follows the appointment of receivers to the parent entities of Healthscope, which the NSW Government considers a default under the contract. 

It is the preference of the NSW Government that agreement on the future control and operation of the Northern Beaches Hospital can be reached with Healthscope and its receivers.

However, the Government must be able to act decisively to avoid a prolonged dispute for members of the Northern Beaches community, staff working at the hospital and for NSW taxpayers.

If a mutual agreement is not reached, the proposed amendments would give the Health Minister the power to issue a termination notice to Healthscope. In addition, the Treasurer would have the power to ensure that compensation negotiations occur in a reasonable time frame and to appoint an independent person to determine compensation if agreement cannot be reached.

The alternative to this approach is for the NSW Government to exercise its voluntary termination rights.  Under the PPP contract signed by the Liberal Party, this would see compensation to Healthscope’s receivers and lenders run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. 

The government’s legislative approach will ensure there are no windfall gains to Healthscope or its receivers.

Discussions between the Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce, Healthscope and its receivers remain ongoing, and we are hopeful of a productive outcome.

NSW Health will continue to work closely with Healthscope to ensure that patient safety and continuity of services at the Northern Beaches Hospital will not be compromised as negotiations continue.

The Minns Labor Government passed legislation earlier this month banning any repeat of the failed Northern Beaches PPP model in acute care, ensuring that the Liberals’ privatisation of acute public hospitals never happens again.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This is not a decision we take lightly.

“But we are now in a position where the Liberal’s privatisation mess means Healthscope’s receivers are negotiating the future of the Northern Beaches Hospital.

“While an agreed exit from this failed PPP contract remains my preference – I must ensure the government has the right to step in and protect the Northern Beaches community from this dragging on.

“I thank the local Independent Members Michael Regan and Jacqui Scruby for their passion and advocacy.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said:

“We’ve made it clear from the very beginning that we don’t support this sort of arrangement.

“This is a complex contract but the community deserves certainty.

“The other mob may have created this mess, but we are going to be the ones to clean it up.”

The Minns Labor Government and Randwick City Council are getting on with the job of fixing Coogee Beach’s long-standing water quality issues, delivering $7 million to clean up one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches.

Locals and visiting beachgoers alike are set to benefit as the Government continues work to ensure that local communities don’t just have the essential services and housing they need, but thriving environments and free recreational spaces to enjoy.

Locals have known for years that stormwater pollution has been letting Coogee down, with Beachwatch consistently rating the beach as ‘Poor’. The 2025-2026 state budget includes $3 million to deliver this project in partnership with Randwick City Council and Sydney Water.

The Minns Labor Government are pushing ahead with the upgrade with works set to begin this year, with the construction of a new pump station and pressure mains.

Once complete, stormwater will be diverted away from Coogee and discharged further offshore. That means no more stormwater flowing across the beach after every downpour, significantly improving water quality and reducing public health risks.

This is about making Coogee swimmable all year round and delivering the water quality that locals, families and visitors expect from a world-class beach.

This is a vital investment in critical public infrastructure that will improve the environment, protect public health and make one of Sydney’s greatest beaches even better.

Rose Jackson, Minister for Water:

“People love Coogee but they’re rightly sick of the impacts of pollution when it rains. This is an overdue fix to a problem that’s been ignored for too long.

“We’re putting an end to this shitty situation once and for all so everyone can enjoy one the best beaches in the world.

“We’re delivering the public infrastructure locals deserve, clean water, safe swimming and a beach the community can be proud of.”

Marjorie O’Neill, Member for Coogee:

“This is a win for our community, who have long called for action to clean up Coogee Beach. I’m proud to have worked alongside residents, council and Sydney Water to secure this investment and deliver real improvements to one of the best beaches in the world.

“Improving water quality isn’t just about the environment—it’s about public health, it’s about tourism, and it’s about ensuring one of NSW’s most iconic beaches lives up to its name every day of the year.”

Mayor of Randwick, Dylan Parker:

“Coogee Beach is not only a popular coastal destination for visitors; it holds a special place in the hearts of local residents.

“This project will address a long-standing issue important to our local community, delivering a better experience for everyone at the beach and in the water, and is a significant step towards protecting our beautiful coastline”.

Paul Plowman, Acting Chief Executive Sydney Water:

“Sydney Water is pleased to be part of this important project to improve water quality and protect public health at Coogee Beach.

“By diverting stormwater away from the swimming area, we can make a meaningful difference to the beach environment and visitor experience.”

The NSW Government is investing $145.1 million in Building Commission NSW as part of the 2025-26 Budget, providing funding security for the dedicated building regulator so it can continue to restore confidence and quality in the sector.

Building Commission NSW employs more than 450 people including building and compliance inspectors, policy experts, investigators, intelligence analysts, lawyers, and industry engagement specialists.

The significant investment in the Minns Government’s third Budget will allow Building Commission NSW to continue to conduct inspections, investigate complex building issues, progress key building reforms and educate the industry.

Specifically, this new recurrent funding will allow the digitisation of penalty infringement notices, which will in turn sharpen the Commission’s data analytics resulting in more targeted inspections and ultimately more prosecutions.

The $145 million funding boost will also allow the Commission to standup joint taskforces with Fair Trading, ASIC, ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) and the NSW State Coroner, to ensure all necessary prosecutions across different jurisdictions can be carried out.

So far this financial year, Building Commission NSW has inspected 1015 building sites for defects and has issued 455 orders as a result, with water ingress and fire safety defects among key issues.

Building Commission NSW has also inspected 401 residential building sites for building compliance issues, including licencing, specialist trade supervision and signage requirements, this financial year.  

These compliance inspections resulted in Building Commission NSW issuing 202 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for issues identified including unlicensed work and contractors working without the right licence.

Building Commission NSW also conducted nearly 20,000 plumbing inspections, more than 2000 electrical inspections, and close to 1000 gas inspections in 2024/25, targeting specialist trade work.

In 2025, Building Commission NSW also devoted significant resources towards ensuring building quality is maintained in regional and rural parts of the state.

This regional push saw teams of building quality and compliance inspectors in the North Coast, Mid-North Coast, Riverina and Murray, as well as the Central West regions of NSW.

These regional inspection blitzes resulted in visits to 223 residential building sites, the issuing or expected issuing of 3 orders with a further 55 orders to be finalised for building defects, and the issuing of 72 PINs.

Building Commission NSW continues to engage with industry on proposed building reforms to consolidate a patchwork of existing laws into a simple and modernised legal framework for rebuilding trust in the sector, improving consumer protections, and reducing defects.

In the 2024-25 financial year, Building Commission NSW’s Construct NSW platform delivered courses to more than 23,800 students and launched five new courses, to ensure the industry is well trained.

Building Commission NSW expects to launch a further 16 courses this year, including Mandarin translated courses on Asbestos and Silica awareness, Electrical and Air Conditioning Standards, Automated Vehicle Parking Systems, and Vehicle Lifts – Safety and Integration.

Minister for Building, Anoulack Chanthivong:

“Building quality is one of the top priorities of the Minns Government.

“Ensuring homes, whether they be apartments or free-standing houses, are built to the highest standards is critical to helping address the housing crisis we inherited in NSW.

“To do this, the NSW Government established Building Commission NSW as a dedicated regulator with the aim of restoring confidence in the construction sector and ensuring building quality is improved across the state.

“This $145 million investment secures the Commission’s funding over the next four years, so it can continue on its mission to uplift and improve the quality of the residential building sector.”

NSW Building Commissioner, James Sherrard:

“In 2024/25 alone we have conducted thousands of inspections on sites across NSW, with a particular focus on building our presence and programs in the regional and rural parts of the state.

“This $145 million investment over the next four years will provide the Commission the funding security it needs to keep inspections going and ensure building quality is maintained across the state.

“It will also allow us to continue to progress key building legislative reforms, and deliver education to the industry, so the sector is supported and can continue to improve into the future.”