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Innovation and research

Lab test samples

The NSW Government is engaged in a number of research and development (R&D) initiatives in areas as diverse as energy, life sciences, photonics, primary industries and robotics. Research is pivotal for unlocking the intellectual capital in NSW, as well as strengthening the state's competitiveness, productivity and capacity for innovation.

Innovation

The NSW Government is an active participant in the state’s innovation ecosystem and is building a culture of innovation in the public sector as well as providing support for the ecosystem more broadly. However, we recognise that innovation-led growth rests primarily with businesses, NGOs, research institutions, and the people of New South Wales.

The NSW Innovation Strategy presents the NSW Government’s vision to boost innovation in NSW, in the government and non-government sectors, for the betterment of our state.

This Strategy aims to help to increase NSW’s productivity and position NSW as a leader for the future, focusing on four areas of action:

  • Government as innovation leader
  • fostering and leveraging research and development
  • skills for the future, and
  • a home for entrepreneurs

The NSW Innovation and Productivity Council supports the Government’s efforts to boost innovation and productivity in NSW, undertaking research projects to inform its advice to NSW Government. Begun in August 2018, the IPC’s Innovation Economy research series delivers a number of reports highlighting trends in innovation to guide policy direction and program development in NSW.

Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer works with the scientific, engineering and research communities, the higher education sector and business to promote growth and innovation across the state.
Its major objectives are to build the state's knowledge base; promote collaborations in science and medical research to attract increased investment; create strong linkages between higher education, business and the community; optimise the effectiveness of the government's scientific R&D investment; and identify new areas of scientific research that can benefit NSW.

Government R&D assistance

We have several programs to drive collaboration between businesses and public sector research organisations in the state.
The TechVouchers program provides grants of up to $25,000 for small to medium-sized enterprises to access technical research infrastructure and expertise.

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