Industry sectors

NSW has the largest research sector in Australia - a country ranked 1st in the Asia Pacific region for the quality of its research institutions, and 10th worldwide by the World Economic Forum survey.

Download NSW Science Research Sector Profile

NSW offers outstanding research capacities across a variety of areas - from food safety and security, to environmental management, climate systems, communications technology, agriculture, health and more.

Investing in research

Over $6.2 billion is spent in NSW each year on research. You can see the results in our research institutions, universities and leading-edge high-tech companies, as well as the major international firms that call NSW home.

As well as 11 universities, NSW is home to many medical research institutes, eight medical research hubs, Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), Centres of Clinical Research Excellence, 14 of Australia’s major teaching hospitals, and a range of science research organisations.

Initiatives for a brighter future

To ensure our entire sector goes from strength to strength, our initiatives have included:

• Appointment of a NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer to provide leadership that stimulates innovation, and links research capacity to the needs of government, business and industry.
• Introduction of TechVouchers, a system that promotes small businesses and public sector collaborations. TechVouchers helps companies to access research services, technology, and knowledge of research organisations and universities.
• Directing funding and leveraging opportunities towards priority areas for the State, driving investment and growing research excellence.
• Leading discussions on medical research with researchers, hospitals, the health services sector and education providers to achieve the best outcomes.