Budget repair that puts people first

Families and business remain burdened by historically high inflation and a housing crisis

The people of NSW are doing it tough. After years of bushfires, floods and a global pandemic, high inflation and rising interest rates have left households and businesses under pressure.

Nowhere is this pressure felt more acutely than for housing. NSW has the highest mortgages of any state in the country and bears the greatest burden as interest rates rise.

In times of crisis, we realise what matters most. At a time of escalating costs, families need to know that the essential services we rely on are there to support us.

Budget repair over the past 12 months

15 months ago, the new Government was presented with a budget shortfall of $7.0 billion. The Government’s comprehensive review of expenditure reigned in ballooning expense growth for 2023-24 and beyond.

In our first budget, this Government also took significant steps to stabilise the State’s gross debt levels, suspending NSW Generations Fund (NGF) contributions in 2023-24, reforming the Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE), and saving more than $13.0 billion through the Comprehensive Expenditure Review.

By taking this action to stabilise our fiscal position and lower our debt, the Government was able to begin sustainable repair of our essential services and offer targeted support to help with housing, energy, tolls and healthcare – where people are feeling the most pressure.

Gross debt saving since Pre-election Budget Update (PEBU)

Source: NSW Treasury

Budget result before and after Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC GST) reduction

Source: NSW Treasury

Early signs of progress

In our first year, the NSW Government has made progress.

• 2,100 more nurses have been hired.
• Since announcing paid study for police recruits, there has been more than a 40 per cent increase in applications compared to the same period last year.
• There has been a 20 per cent fall in teacher vacancies, the beginning of the Government’s efforts to reduce teacher vacancies and lost learning in NSW public schools.

These are early signs that our approach to re-building our essential services is working. Our investments in safe staffing levels, pay for police recruits, new salary scales across the teaching profession and the abolition of the wages cap are already improving our health system, frontline policing and public schools.

While we have begun to make progress, we still have much to do to build a better NSW.

The GST rip-off

As we undertake this work, we must manage the fall out of having billions stripped out of the Budget by the Commonwealth Grants Commission’s 2024 GST decision.

The CGC’s decision in March to cut GST payments to NSW will cost our budget $11.9 billion over the next four years. The decision has taken more revenue from NSW than was lost in the COVID-19 pandemic.

A long-term plan for a better NSW

The 2024-25 Budget reflects the Government’s calm and methodical response to the unexpected shock of the Commonwealth’s GST decision. We will not sell off public assets or continue the past practice of undermining essential services by further suppressing wages.

The Government’s long-term plan remains to control expenses and reign in debt, to sustainably rebuild essential services. The unexpected downgrade of $11.9 billion Commonwealth revenue will stretch our resources for the foreseeable future. It means our path to recovery will be slower, but this Government will not pass on to the people of NSW the $11.9 billion hit from the CGC.

Expense outlook

Source: NSW Treasury

We can afford to make that choice because of the action we have taken – and continue to take – to stabilise the State’s gross debt trajectory. Gross debt was set to rise to $188.2 billion by June 2026 according to the 2022-23 Pre-Election Budget Update. Now, gross debt will be $9.3 billion lower by that time, even after absorbing the GST hit.

While we continue to reduce growth in debt and borrowings, the Government has had to redouble efforts to stabilise our operating position in the face of this new challenge. The projected deficit of $3.6 billion in 2024-25 will gradually reduce to a deficit of $1.5 billion in 2027-28.

From 2018-19 to 2022-23 the average growth of government expenses was 9.7 per cent. In this Budget, total general government sector expenses are projected to increase by an average rate of 1.7 per cent per year from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

While the road to repair will be slower than first thought, the deficit will fall by $6.0 billion between 2023-24 and 2024-25. In 2024-25, the Budget year, we expect to return to cash operating surplus after three years of borrowing to pay our running costs. These are the first steps toward building a better NSW – without privatisation, or an unfair wages cap.

A budget of must-haves

Because we have made careful choices, we can fund the things we need, continue fixing the things that need repair, and fight for our rightful share of Commonwealth revenues.

Our major initiatives include:

• a Bulk-Billing Support Initiative, which includes provision of tax relief to GP practices that meet bulk-billing thresholds
• delivering the homes that a growing city needs – along with health, education and transport infrastructure that communities need to thrive
• funding Western Sydney roads
• extending the Parramatta Light Rail
• building new public schools and funding new school upgrades and maintenance
• upgrading hospitals and health facilities across the State
• delivering record funding for disaster recovery
• expansion of services for mental health and domestic and family violence.

This overview outlines these plans, and more, as we make progress to build a better NSW.This overview outlines these plans, and more, as we make progress to build a better NSW.

1.1 Housing and planning

Source: Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

More homes where people want to live

The NSW Government is confronting the housing crisis. People need more homes close to transport, infrastructure, other amenities and work opportunities.

The NSW Government has made major reforms to the planning system to build more homes and rebalance housing growth across Sydney, Wollongong, Central Coast and the Hunter.

More homes near better infrastructure

The Transport Oriented Development Program:

• rezones areas around eight train and metro stations as priority precincts for more housing, supported by $520.0 million in new infrastructure
• rezones areas around 37 train and metro stations across greater Sydney to increase midrise housing in well-connected locations.

A better planning system

This Budget invests an additional $555.5 million to speed up the planning system and construct more housing enabling infrastructure. This includes:

• $253.7 million to bolster the State’s planning system, including to assess more development applications and deliver additional State-led rezonings
• $246.7 million for enabling infrastructure, conservation activities and land acquisitions to accelerate the delivery of more housing in Western Sydney and across the regions
• $35.0 million for the NSW Building Commission to support its ongoing efforts to reform the building and construction industry and improve consumer outcomes
• $5.0 million for preliminary design and planning works to support the future redevelopment of Bays West around the Bays Metro station and White Bay Power Station.

Targets and incentives

• We have set new housing targets to rebalance growth towards areas of Sydney with better access to transport and other infrastructure, and share the additional housing Sydney needs across our city.
• This Budget includes $200.0 million for the Faster Assessments program to incentivise councils to meet and exceed their targets by providing grants for infrastructure that supports housing.

1.2 Building homes for NSW

More homes, better rights

Building Homes for NSW

To address the housing crisis, the NSW Government will deliver up to 30,000 new homes.

The Building Homes for NSW program will:

• deliver up to 21,000 new market and affordable homes
• build 8,400 social homes, including priority homes for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence
• build more than 500 new rental homes for key workers so they can live in the communities who rely on them.

Building Homes for NSW will directly address the housing crisis alongside our state-wide planning reforms.

Building up to 30,000 new homes

Building Homes for NSW will release surplus Government land for new homes to be delivered by Homes NSW, Landcom and in partnership with the private sector.

The Budget includes $5.0 million to continue the audit of surplus NSW Government land.

A major step to help those escaping from family and domestic violence

This Budget invests $5.1 billion in 8,400 social homes, of which 6,200 will be new homes and 2,200 are replacement homes.

At least 50 per cent of these new homes will be prioritised for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

In 2022-23, 18,255 people who sought homelessness services said family and domestic violence was the main reason they needed help, but half were turned away due to a lack of accommodation.

This program also invests $1.0 billion to repair 33,500 existing social homes.

Key worker rental housing

Too many suburbs have become unaffordable for nurses, teachers, police officers, paramedics and other key workers.

The Budget includes $655.1 million for key worker and rental housing:

• $450.0 million for a Key Worker Build-to-Rent Program to be delivered by Landcom across metropolitan areas of the State
• $200.1 million for key health worker accommodation across rural and regional areas of the State
• $5.0 million for Landcom to deliver an additional 10 Build-to-Rent dwellings in Bomaderry, with 60 homes now to be delivered through a total Government investment of $35.0 million.

Better rights

A better system for renters

This Budget also includes an additional $8.4 million for the Rental Commissioner to develop and enforce renter protections.

Supporting the growing number of renters in apartments with an expanded Strata and Property Services Commissioner to regulate strata schemes for $11.8 million.

Addressing homelessness

$527.6 million for emergency housing and homelessness support services, which includes:

• over $260.0 million to help people and families who need safe shelter with crisis accommodation and support to move to more stable housing
• over $250.0 million of funding to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including those leaving correctional centres and mental health services and securing funding for Specialist Homelessness Services and the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector for homelessness services.

1.3 Transport

Better transport

The Government is investing in essential transport infrastructure and technology upgrades to keep our State moving. These essential investments will keep communities connected, support much needed new housing and link people to jobs and opportunities.

Building Parramatta Light Rail 2

The NSW Government has provisioned $2.1 billion for the delivery of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to build better connected communities in Sydney’s growing west. The 2024-25 Budget paves the way to start construction on this essential project.

Sydney Metro

This Budget contains $13.4 billion for the continuation of Sydney Metro West, including the potential for an additional station at Rosehill. This Budget also includes $5.5 billion for the ongoing delivery of the Western Sydney Airport Metro and $1.2 billion funding for the completion of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest.

Building the future of transport

The Tangara fleet will be upgraded and extended for an additional 12 to 15 years, at a cost of $447.0 million.

This extra life span will ensure commuters have safe and reliable public transport while we rebuild our domestic rail manufacturing industry, so we can once again build trains here.

Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan

The Government will fund the $10.0 million Illawarra Rail Resilience Plan to determine options to upgrade and rebuild infrastructure along the South Coast Line following extreme weather events.

Better technology, better journeys

Sydney has a vast and complicated network which is still only partially digitised. This Budget provides:

• $25.0 million for the replacement of the Digital Train Radio System, and
• $40.0 million to expedite technology for train crews during periods of degraded operations and enhance their ability to recover.

Better buses, better services

• $1.9 billion for a new zero emissions bus fleet.
• This Budget provides funding to deliver new dedicated bus services connecting Blacktown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Penrith to the new Western Sydney Airport.
• In response to recommendations from the Bus Industry Taskforce, $91.0 million has been allocated to the Bus Transport Management System which will replace the current legacy system and improve real-time information provision to customers.
• The Government is also allocating $23.8 million over two years to develop a state-wide medium-term bus plan.

1.4 Roads

Better roads for Sydney

Improved arterial roads are needed to support new housing and connect people to jobs and opportunities. This Budget delivers a record investment in Western Sydney roads to connect the Western Sydney Airport to the world and support much needed new housing and jobs.

This Budget allocates $1.0 billion in 2024-25, bringing the total program to $5.2 billion, including matched funding from the Australian Government. The program will:

• upgrade Mamre Road Stage 2 between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek for $1.0 billion
• widen Elizabeth Drive with four lanes connecting Mamre Road and The Northern Road to the airport for $800.0 million
• widen for Richmond Road – M7 to Townson Road for $520.0 million
• upgrade Garfield Road East for $276.3 million
• upgrade Memorial Avenue from Old Windsor Road to Windsor Road for $48.2 million
• add a separated four-lane dual carriageway on Mulgoa Road Stage 2 between Glenmore Park and Jeanette Street for $230.0 million
• upgrade the intersection at St Johns Road and Appin Road for $45.0 million.

Work is underway in partnership with the Australian Government to connect future communities through:

• $65.0 million for South West Sydney Roads Planning
• $30.0 million for Western Sydney Roads Planning
• $25.0 million for Eastern Ring Road and Badgerys Creek Road South
• $15.0 million for Spring Farm Parkway Stage 2 Planning.

Regional communities

Transport networks and roads are critical to life in regional NSW, connecting communities to one another and supporting the movement of goods produced in our regions to national and international markets. This Budget includes significant investment, in partnership with the Australian Government, including:

• $350.0 million for Inland Rail Level Crossings at Parkes and Narrabri
• $275.0 million for Nelson Bay Road to Bob’s Farm
• $130.0 million for the Avoca Drive upgrade
• $105.0 million for Nowra Bypass and Network Planning
• $47.3 million for the Jindabyne Education Campus to provide improved access to the new school facilities for the local community
• $28.6 million for 13 new heavy vehicle rest stops
• $10.0 million for Narooma Bridge planning
• $10.0 million for the Dixons Long Point Crossing.

1.5 Health

Better health services

Better emergency departments

The NSW Government’s Emergency Department Relief Package invests $480.7 million¹ to help to avoid an estimated 290,000 visits to emergency departments each year once fully implemented. More than three million people attend NSW public hospital emergency departments each year. The package will ease pressure on emergency departments, reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes. This includes funding for urgent care services, an expanded capacity for ambulance paramedics to receive live data guiding them to the best available health facility and enhanced discharge services.

¹The Mental Health Single Front Door $39 million is part of both the Emergency Department and Mental Health total.

Family Start Package

The $130.9 million Family Start Package provides early intervention programs to boost lifelong maternal and child health. This includes $40.0 million to support vulnerable children in their first 2,000 days and support services for new parents and babies provided by Tresillian and Karitane. This package also includes $21.3 million for the Waminda Birth Centre and Community Hub for First Nations women and families on the south coast to give birth in line with traditional cultural practice.

The Immunisation component of the Family Start Package allocates $15.0 million for more immunisation practitioners across Local Health Districts to improve vaccine uptake in at-risk communities.

Mental health

This Budget provides $111.8 million for more mental health care, including services to reduce long stay hospitalisation and a dedicated mental health single front door. This includes $30.4 million to expand community mental health teams.

Building better hospitals

New hospitals across NSW will receive 250 healthcare workers, including nurses and doctors as part of a $274.7 million Essential Health Services Fund. This investment will improve patient care and wait times including in Tweed, Sutherland, Cooma, Bowral, Glen Innes, Griffith, Prince of Wales, Cowra, Wentworth and various mental health facilities. This funding will also support rising costs of providing healthcare services in hospitals and increasing activity in the health system.

The Building Better Hospitals Package commits $265.0 million for a critical upgrade of Port Macquarie Hospital and an additional $395.3 million to deliver ongoing hospital redevelopments at Eurobodalla, Ryde, Temora, Mental Health Complex at Westmead, Liverpool, Moree, Nepean, Cessnock and Shellharbour.

A further $250.0 million will be invested across NSW hospitals as part of the Critical Asset Maintenance Program. Development also continues on the new Single Digital Patient Record system which will improve care and access to timely treatment and patient information.

Key Health Worker Accommodation Program

New homes for key workers will be built across regional and rural NSW as part of a $200.1 million expansion of the NSW Health Key Worker Housing Accommodation program.

This expansion in health worker housing will help to recruit and retain key health workers across rural and regional NSW.

1.6 Education

100 new preschools

The NSW Government is delivering the largest ever investment in public preschools. The sites for our 100 public preschools have been chosen and the first at Gulyangarri Public School is set to open later this year.

We are also investing $60.0 million in new and upgraded non-government preschools.

High quality schools

This Budget delivers the NSW Government’s commitment to fund 75 per cent of the School Resourcing Standard – the level set for states by the National School Reform Agreement. This is two years ahead of schedule and represents an additional $481.1 million for public education in NSW.

High quality schools sit at the centre of our communities. Underinvestment has left growing regions without the schools they need.

The 2024-25 Budget invests $8.9 billion in the Rebuilding Public Education Program.

This includes funding to build new schools in addition to the Government’s record 45 in the pipeline. These are:

• Box Hill Terry Road Primary School
• Box Hill Terry Road High School
• Huntlee Primary School
• Huntlee High School
• Calderwood Primary School.

The Budget also includes seven additional upgrades on top of the 73 in progress, including:

• Riverbank Public School
• The Ponds High School
• Austral Public School
• Leppington Public School
• Googong Public School
• Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus
• Yennora Public School/Verona School Hall.

$1.0 billion in funding for school maintenance and minor upgrades will work through the multi-year backlog of works previously promised to schools but not delivered.

Skills and jobs

The NSW Government’s plan to build better communities includes ensuring jobs and training opportunities are accessible all across NSW.

• $190.2 million to undertake urgent repairs at campuses across the State and improve Wi-Fi at campuses across the State.
• $83.1 million to support increased permanency within TAFE NSW through the conversion of 500 casual teachers into permanent employment.
• An additional $8.9 million, to bring total expenditure up to $16.3 million, for Fee Free training for all apprentices and trainees in NSW.

100 new public preschools

1.7 Better protection for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence

Nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men in Australia have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member since the age of 15.

This Budget funds new solutions costing $245.6 million. This is on top of the $5.1 billion Building Homes for NSW program to support families, including those escaping violence.

Improving support for victims

• $48.1 million to secure and increase funding for specialist workers who provide support for children accompanying their mothers to refuges, expanding their presence from 20 to 30 refuges.
• $48.0 million to roll out the Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) program state-wide and to expand the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service (IDFVS). This funding will expand SHLV across the remaining 37 LGAs – two-thirds of which are in regional NSW.
• $45.0 million to improve bail laws and justice system responses to domestic violence, including reforms that will make it more difficult for those accused of serious domestic violence offences to get bail.
• $29.6 million to enable the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service to meet the increasing demand of victim-survivors who require support navigating the justice system.
• $700,000 for the NSW Domestic Violence Line (DV line) to continue its 24/7 service providing counselling for women experiencing violence and referring them directly to services offering hands-on support.

Better prevention

• $38.3 million for the implementation of NSW’s first dedicated Primary Prevention Strategy.
• $10.0 million for Men’s Behaviour Change programs that focus on working with men to enable them to recognise their violent behaviour and develop strategies to prevent the use of violence.
• $8.1 million for the ‘All in’ early childhood pilot, to prevent domestic violence by teaching young children about healthy relationships.
• $5.0 million for workforce training on the implementation of a newly developed risk assessment framework, and other priority areas.
• $5.0 million in funding for research into perpetrators and effective interventions.
• $2.1 million to extend the Corrective Services program EQUIPS Domestic and Family Violence to assist with shifting the mindset and behaviours of offenders.
• $3.6 million to expand services through Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW).
• $2.1 million for the Domestic Violence Death Review Team to develop evidencebased responses to family violence.

1.8 Better support for our community

The NSW Government is building better policing facilities, upgrading technology, and driving more recruitment to ensure officers have what they need to investigate crime and keep our communities safe.

Police and justice

• $126.6 million for a boost to Legal Aid and one year funding for the Walama List.
• $66.9 million to divert young people away from police and courts through investment in community programs.
• $40.3 million for legal officers in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to maintain service levels and continue prosecuting serious criminal offences.
• Additional training in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute industrial manslaughter cases.
• $38.2 million to deliver service improvements across the Justice portfolio, including upgrading cyber security protections for the NSW Trustee and Guardian, expanding the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and replacing the Youth Justice Client IT system.
• Upgrade of Waverley and Rose Bay police stations at a cost of $22.9 million.
• Implementation of the National Firearms Register to enhance the sharing of timely and accurate firearms information. This project is expected to cost $20.8 million, and will be equally funded by the NSW and Australian Governments.
• The NSW Government is also taking action to boost police recruitment to address the critical shortage of police officers and enhance community safety across the State. This Budget includes $17.3 million to support the Government’s election commitment to increase officers in Western Sydney.
• $14.2 million to improve the capability of forensic evidence and technical services.
• $10.3 million for the Strategic Hosting Data Centre to deliver digital, and information-based policing.
• $6.3 million for the Cladding Remediation Project to improve NSW Police Stations.
• $5.0 million to deliver community-based initiatives to strengthen youth resilience to violent extremism.
• $1.4 million will help fund PCYC club expenses so the organisation can continue to guide young people towards fulfilling lives.

More help for those in need

• $224.1 million to build a better foster care system, including reforming the Out-of-Home-Care sector.
• $7.1 million for the cross-agency Disability Reform Taskforce.
• $2.0 million for the Return to Work Pathways Program to reduce barriers for women entering or re-entering the workforce.

Local Government

$37.4 million additional funding to build up the capacity of the Office of Local Government.

1.9 Our regions, energy and environment

Developing our regions

In addition to the substantial health and road infrastructure investments we are making in regional NSW, highlights across the regions for this Budget include:

• $945.7 million to address biosecurity threats, including:
• $25.0 million for Biosecurity Laboratory Defence Funding to support specialist scientific skills to boost the State’s frontline surveillance and preventative capabilities to defend against biosecurity risks
• $13.1 million to improve environmental outcomes through the eradication of Feral Pigs and other pests.
• an additional $50.0 million for the Regional Development Trust, bringing this pipeline of investment across regional communities to $400.0 million
• $21.0 million to establish a modern animal welfare framework, including additional support for Approved Charitable Organisations
• $15.2 million for mine rehabilitation and closure, and to support health and safety for mine workers in NSW.

Better energy

This Budget continues the work of delivering five Renewable Energy Zone across NSW, powered with wind, solar and storage and linked with transmission, acting as modern-day power stations generating low-cost power for homes and businesses who need it.

The Government is investing $3.1 billion into the energy transition, to deliver the infrastructure needed to provide lower cost and more reliable energy for all NSW consumers.

This Budget also includes $128.5 million for regional road upgrades and infrastructure at the Port of Newcastle to enable the timely transport of large Renewable Energy Zone projects.

Water for our future

The State’s 2024-25 Budget will deliver an innovative package of projects and programs to boost drought resilience, improve water quality and shore-up water security for the future, including:

• to help prevent mass fish deaths and improve river health through the $25.0 million Restoring the Darling Baaka River program
• $43.1 million to support water infrastructure, reduce leaks and improve water efficiency and drought resilience across NSW.

Protecting our environment

• $87.5 million for the Environmental Trust to provide grants focusing on restoration, rehabilitation, education, and waste activities.
• $75.1 million to maintain and improve our national parks, including visitor infrastructure.
• $43.0 million for the Environmental Protection Authority to boost the transformation of the waste and recycling industry in NSW.
• The Butterfly Cave Aboriginal Place will be protected with the purchase of land in the Hunter. The rock cave and surrounding bushland is an Aboriginal women’s site that the NSW Government is proud to protect.

1.10 Supporting businesses and protecting consumers

Service NSW Business Bureau

The NSW Government’s commitment to assisting small business will continue in the 2024-25 Budget. The recently created Service NSW Business Bureau has been allocated an additional $5.0 million, bringing the total investment in 2024-25 to $30.0 million.

The Service NSW Business Bureau will focus on delivering key programs and services for small businesses, including assisting small businesses to navigate regulations, access support to grow their business, access government contracts and overseas markets; and tackle unproductive red tape.

In the first six months of operating, the Service NSW Business Bureau has been able to service more than 100,000 businesses, and deliver more than 20,000 hours of free, tailored advice to small businesses in one-on-one sessions addressing business-critical topics such as planning, marketing and cash flow.

The Service NSW Business Bureau has been critical in assisting businesses impacted by disasters, including those affected by the tragic events in Bondi Westfield and businesses impacted by sinkholes from the M6 tunnel.

The Service NSW Business Bureau is focused on supporting every customer, in every community, with the website translated in 70 languages.

Since the launch of the Service NSW Business Bureau App, more than 75,000 businesses have used the app to access government support, manage transactions, and save and track industry licences in just a few taps.

Better planning and building, better for businesses and consumers

Getting more housing approved means more work for businesses in building, construction and related industries. Additionally, $11.4 million for the low and mid-rise Housing Pattern Book and design competition will assist firms and further streamline planning approval processes by standardising building designs.

Consumers will benefit when $35.0 million for the NSW Building Commission supports its efforts to assure new home-buyers of the quality of their build.

Payroll tax relief to bulk-billing GP clinics

The $188.8 million Bulk-Billing Support Initiative will protect the cost of seeing a GP and reduce the strain on our emergency departments. The initiative will ease financial pressure on GP practices by waiving historical payroll tax liabilities for contractor GPs and provide an ongoing tax rebate to clinics that meet bulk-billing thresholds.

This initiative eases cost of living pressures on families and households by ensuring clinics don’t pass on additional costs to patients.

Building a strong and secure digital future

• $205.0 million for cyber security and ID Support NSW to build cyber resilience and help people affected by a data breach.
• $62.5 million to roll out digital licensing to 80 NSW qualifications, making applications faster and more convenient.
• $21.4 million to help build a NSW Digital ID and Wallet to make proving your identity and qualifications easier and more secure.

1.11 Disaster relief and recovery

Relief and recovery

The 2021 and 2022 floods which impacted the Northern Rivers and Central West were some of the most devastating in Australian history. Through the NSW Reconstruction Authority, the Government is working with communities to help recover and build resilience. This Budget invests $5.7 billion, including co-contributions from the Australian Government, to continue natural disaster support and recovery programs.

This includes:

• $3.3 billion for restoration works to repair local and State roads damaged in major flood events, including in the Northern Rivers and Central West
• $632.4 million to continue delivering new and safe housing across the Northern Rivers and Central West, including $525.0 million to support voluntary buybacks, raisings, repairs and retrofits through the Resilient Homes Program
• $303.5 million to repair and rebuild water, sewerage, and community infrastructure, and improve the resilience of infrastructure for future disasters
• $94.7 million for critical resources in flood rescue coordination, operational enhancements, and fleet expansion. This will help to fulfil recommendations made in the 2022 flood inquiries and mitigate the impact of future floods and natural disasters on NSW communities
• $6.5 million for the Spontaneous Volunteers Support Program to support better coordination of community efforts to save lives and property during disasters.

Enhancing our emergency response

• $189.5 million increased funding for 286 existing firefighters who did not have ongoing funding in previous budgets.
• $15.4 million to establish a new 24-hour fire station at Badgerys Creek ahead of the opening of the new Western Sydney Airport.
• $2.4 million for the state-wide Disaster Response Legal Service, the only specialist disaster legal service in NSW.

1.12 Building better communities

Community harmony

• $88.8 million to the NSW Office of Sport to support grassroots sports in new communities, deliver women’s sport initiatives and planning for the relocation of the NSW Institute of Sport ahead of the Olympic Games.
• $73.0 million in a permanent boost in funding to support social cohesion and community harmony through Multicultural NSW.
• $6.0 million over two years to continue the Learn to Swim program targeted at Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and low socioeconomic communities.
• $10.0 million to continue gambling harm minimisation programs which support people and minimise their risk of harm.

First Nations

The 2023-24 NSW Indigenous Expenditure Report, shows that across all portfolios the NSW Government budgeted $1.2 billion on First Nations specific programs and services in 2023-24.

The 2024-25 Budget continues the NSW’s Government’s support for First Nations people and communities, including:

• $202.6 million for the maintenance of social housing needing urgent repair for First Nations communities across NSW, as part of the Building Homes for NSW program
• $73.4 million to establish Keeping Places at the sites of former children’s homes, to support reconciliation with Stolen Generations survivors
• $37.8 million for the Government’s obligations under Indigenous Land Use Agreements entered into with native title holders
• $21.3 million for the Waminda Gudjaga Gunyahlamai Birth Centre and Community Hub in Nowra
• $1.5 million to strategically investigate the settlement of Aboriginal Land claims
• $16.3 million to deliver Aboriginal Cultural Heritage reforms to recognise and conserve sites of cultural significance
• $9.2 million to conduct on-site assessments of the infrastructure, contaminant and housing needs in 61 Discrete Aboriginal Communities across the State
• $5.0 million to undertake consultation to determine a pathway to treaty with First Nations communities
• $4.9 million to continue investment in Local Decision Making in partnership with First Nations community bodies
• $4.0 million to deliver the Digital Songlines project, to capture stories of Stolen Generations survivors for future generations
• $3.5 million additional support for the continued implementation of Closing the Gap initiatives.

Night-time economy

$54.2 million to rebuild the night-time economy and creative industries, including:

• $26.9 million for the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to empower the night-time economy and local councils through regulatory reform, grants programs, precinct-based initiatives, digital tools and other support for create diverse, safe, and vibrant communities across NSW
• $18.5 million for the Sound NSW election commitment to deliver programs that drive audience and international market development, strengthen the live music ecosystem and champion NSW artists and stories
• $8.8 million for further critical upgrades at our cultural institutions (Sydney Opera House, State Library of NSW, Sydney Observatory, Powerhouse and Australian Museum) after a decade of neglect.

1.13 Cost of living relief

Boosting bulk billing

The $188.8 million Bulk-Billing Support Initiative will protect the cost of seeing a GP and reduce the strain on our emergency departments. The initiative will ease financial pressure on GP practices by waiving historical payroll tax liabilities for contractor GPs and provide an ongoing tax rebate to clinics that meet bulk-billing thresholds.

This initiative eases cost of living pressures on families and households by ensuring clinics don’t pass on additional costs to patients.

Energy rebates

The expanded energy social program, which includes an increase of $100.0 million in 2024-25, will support up to 1 million NSW households with the cost of living, and brings the total program for 2024-25 to $435.4 million.

From 1 July 2024 the Family Energy Rebate and the Seniors Energy Rebate will increase to $250, and the Low-Income Household Rebate, the Medical Energy Rebate will increase to $350. The Life Support Rebate will be up to $1,639 for each equipment type.

This support is in addition to the Australian Government’s $300 energy bill relief payment.

Supporting motorists on Sydney’s privatised toll roads

The $60 toll cap that began on 1 January will continue, with an investment of $561.0 million over two years.

Motorists in Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Marsden Park, Auburn and Merrylands have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the NSW Government’s toll cap so far.

The scheme is expected to return cash back to 720,000 motorists.

Support for 31,000 first home buyers and counting

Since 1 July 2023, more than 22,800 first home buyers, who purchased a home for up to $800,000, or vacant land up to $350,000, have received a stamp duty exemption.

More than 8,200 first home buyers, who purchased a home valued between $800,000 and $1 million, or vacant land between $350,000 and $450,000, have enjoyed a stamp duty concession.

In total, over 31,000 first home buyers have had the purchasing power for their first home boosted by an average stamp duty saving of around $20,500.

In 2024-25, the concessions and exemptions will continue to support more people to get their first home.

Better pay

The Government’s wages policy has delivered the biggest increase to the wages of essential workers in over a decade.

The Government has already delivered professional rates of pay for paramedics, in recognition of the move towards university qualification and increased registration requirements, plus expansion of the scope of paramedicine.

Building on the Government’s 4.5 per cent wage offer of 2023-24, the 2024-25 Budget provides for a 10.5 per cent wage increase (including superannuation) over three years to benefit the more than 400,000 NSW public sector workers.

Cost of living support measures

In 2024-25, the NSW Government will provide around $8.7 billion to households to assist with growing cost of living pressures.

Housing

• Concessions and exemptions from transfer duty on properties valued less than $1.0 million for eligible first home buyers under the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme which was expanded on 1 July 2023.
• A $10,000 First Home Owner Grant for eligible first home owners buying a newly built house, townhouse, apartment, unit or similar with a purchase price below $600,000 or land and new house with a total combined cost below $750,000.
• Private rental assistance through Rent Choice, Advance Rent, Bond Loan and other programs to help eligible persons, including those escaping domestic violence, set up and maintain a tenancy in the private rental market.
• The Pensioner Council Rates Concession provides a rebate of up to $250 on ordinary council rates and charges for domestic waste management services to eligible pensioners, jointly funded by councils.

Energy and water

Providing energy bill relief for families, seniors and households in 2024-25:

• the Low Income Household Rebate provides up to $350 per year off the electricity bills of certain Commonwealth concession card holders
• helping eligible people who receive the Family Tax Benefit to pay their electricity bills through the Family Energy Rebate of up to $250 per year
• the NSW Gas Rebate provides up to $110 per year off the gas bills of certain Commonwealth concession card holders
• assisting self-funded retirees who hold a valid Commonwealth Seniors Health Card with the cost of energy through the Seniors Energy Rebate of $250 per year
• the Medical Energy Rebate of up to $350 per year for eligible concession holders with medically diagnosed inability to self-regulate their body temperature in extreme environmental temperatures
• the Life Support Rebate provides annual assistance of up to $1,639 per equipment type for people who need to use approved energy-intensive life support equipment at home
• National Energy Bill Relief Package a one-off bill relief payment of up to $300 to the electricity bills of all households and up to $325 for small businesses – delivered by the NSW Government with Australian Government funding
• Energy Accounts Payment Assistance for people experiencing difficulty paying their energy bill because of a short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency
• support for customers in long term energy debt to reduce or eliminate their debt as part of the Energy Debt Relief Trial
• eligible pensioners and low-income families are entitled to a concession for water rates
• Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative to help reduce energy bills for tenants and keep their homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Health

• Assisting people in NSW, who have specific, short-term or ongoing health needs, by providing appropriate assistive technology through the Aids and Equipment Program.
• Providing ambulance services free of charge for certain concession holders and victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or child abuse.
• Providing new parents with a Baby Bundle filled with essential items to assist in their child’s early health and development.
• Free dental care for children attending schools participating in the NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental Clinics program.
• Providing financial assistance towards travel and accommodation costs when a patient needs to travel long distances for treatment that is not available locally through the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.
• Free glasses and vision aids for financially disadvantaged residents through the NSW Spectacles Program
• The Pre-IVF Fertility Testing Rebate of $250 which helps eligible NSW residents cover the costs of fertility testing and $2,000 through the Fertility Treatment Rebate for eligible fertility treatments.

Education

• To support families with young children with the cost of living, the NSW Government will continue to provide up to $4,220 per year in fee relief for parents and carers of 3–5-year-olds in community and mobile preschools. In addition, $500 - $2,110 in fee relief is available to parents and carers of children aged 3 - 5 years attending eligible preschool programs in long day care centres. It is estimated that over 200,000 enrolments will be eligible for NSW Government fee relief in 2024.
• Fee-free training for the formal training component of apprenticeships and traineeships.
• Subsidised vocational education training for in-demand skills and industries and fee concessions for Commonwealth welfare beneficiaries and people with a disability through the Smart and Skilled program.
• The Vocational Training Assistance Scheme travel and accommodation allowance for apprentices or new entrant trainees who are required to travel more than 120 km round trip to attend day or block-release training.
• Bert Evans Scholarships for apprentices in NSW who are facing hardship in their personal circumstances but demonstrate a capability for vocational education and a positive attitude in their training and workplace.

Recreation

• Two $50 Active and Creative Kids combined vouchers for eligible families available twice a year at the start of Term 1 and Term 3 to enable kids to participate in sports, recreation, cultural or creative activities.
• Free or subsidised swimming lessons for more than 20,000 children and adults every year from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and financially disadvantaged communities through the revised Learn to Swim Program.
• Discounted entry to national parks for certain concession holders including pensioners and veterans.
• Fishing licence fee exemptions for Aboriginal persons, youths, and certain concession card holders including pensioners and veterans.

Transport

• Toll Relief – $60 weekly toll cap eligible private motorists that spend between $60 and $400 on tolls a week can claim a rebate of up to $340 a week, each quarter.
• The M5 South-West Cashback Scheme which enables residents to claim back the value of tolls (excl. GST) paid while using a vehicle registered in NSW for private, pensioner, or charitable use on the M5 South-West Motorway.
• Daily, weekend and weekly Opal Card Travel Caps for adults, children, youths, and concession holders.
• The School Student Transport Scheme which provides subsidised travel to and from school for eligible students on Government and private bus, rail, and ferry services, long-distance coaches, and in private vehicles where no public transport services exist.
• Concessional Driver Licence Renewal fees for eligible concession holders.
• Vehicle registration exemptions for eligible concession card holders including pensioners.
• The Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme provides a 50 per cent subsidy of a taxi fare, up to a maximum of $60, for eligible NSW residents who cannot use public transport because of a severe and permanent disability.
• Providing a $100 rebate to registered first and second year apprentices through the Apprentice Vehicle Registration Rebate.
• Reducing the cost of towing privately registered caravans, boats, and horse floats on certain toll roads through the Large Towed Recreational Vehicle Toll Rebate for up to eight trips per month.

Other

• The NSW Companion Card is for people with significant and permanent disability who need a high level of care in the community. The program allows a cardholder’s support person free entry into participating venues and events.
• Land Tax Early Payment Discount provides a 0.5 per cent early payment discount where the full amount is paid within 30 days of issue of the notice of assessment in the land tax year.
• Free Working with Children Checks for volunteers, students on a professional placement, and potential adoptive parents or authorised carers.
• Reduced or waived court fees in some circumstances where a person’s capacity to pay may otherwise limit his or her access to justice.
• The NSW Trustee and Guardian offers free preparation of Will and Power of Attorney documents for individuals eligible for a full Centrelink Age Pension and for those receiving Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pension or Disability Support Pension and would otherwise be eligible for a full Centrelink Age Pension.