Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) NSW

Purpose and Program Overview

The Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) is a NSW Government body established to fast-track major, high-value private sector investment projects across New South Wales. Operating as a “single front door” for domestic and international investors, the IDA streamlines multi-agency approvals and removes administrative barriers that would otherwise delay large-scale developments. The authority does not override statutory laws but instead coordinates responses across up to 22 government agencies to resolve procedural gridlocks efficiently.

Backed by an initial budget allocation of $17.7 million, the IDA aims to facilitate up to $50 billion in investment activity and manage approximately 30 large-scale development projects annually. The authority is positioned within the Premier’s Department. It operates in close coordination with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), NSW Treasury, and Infrastructure NSW to ensure maximum executive reach across the public sector.

The program plays a critical role in strengthening NSW’s economic competitiveness by reducing the time and complexity associated with bringing high-value infrastructure, energy, technology, and tourism projects to Market. It does not provide direct financial grants to applicants. Instead, it delivers facilitation support — including dedicated concierge services, planning assessment priority, and multi-agency taskforce coordination — to eligible projects that meet defined capital investment thresholds.

Key Program Details

• Program type: Investment facilitation (non-financial support; not a direct grant or subsidy)
• Budget allocation: $17.7 million (operational budget for authority establishment and administration)
• Target investment facilitated: Up to $50 billion in private sector investment.
• Application mechanism: Expression of Interest (EOI) — competitive, selective rounds
• Current EOI round open: 1 June 2026
• Current EOI round closes: 11:59 am, 22 June 2026 (AEST)
• Eligible industries: Data centres, renewable energy, hotels and visitor economy, domestic fuel security
• Co-contribution required: Applicants must not be reliant on government funding to progress (private capital commitment is mandatory)
• Location applicability: New South Wales only; domestic and international investors with NSW-based projects are eligible

Priority Sectors

The IDA targets four specific high-value sectors with defined minimum capital investment thresholds. Projects outside these sectors are not eligible for IDA facilitation under the current EOI rounds.

Sector Minimum Capital Investment (excl. land/GST)Key Focus Areas

Data Centres & Tech $1 billion Digital infrastructure, high-capacity data processing

Renewable Energy $1 billion Wind, solar, battery hubs, electricity roadmap

Hotels & Visitor Economy $200 million High-quality accommodation aligned with Visitor Economy Strategy 2035

Domestic Fuel Security $100 million Fuel storage, EV heavy-vehicle fleets, liquid renewable fuel production (e.g. green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel)

The currently open EOI round is specifically targeted at the domestic fuel security sector, with a focus on commercial-scale projects that directly improve fuel security in NSW.

Facilitation Scope

The IDA does not provide financial grants, co-investment, or subsidies. The support offered is administrative, regulatory, and coordination-based. Eligible projects receive access to the following IDA services:

• Dedicated Concierge Service: A single government point of contact to navigate state regulations across multiple agencies.
• Multi-Agency Taskforce: Embedded within the Premier’s Department; resolves cross-agency delays relating to utilities, infrastructure sequencing, and land use.
• Dedicated Planning Assessments Team: Embedded within DPHI; prioritises Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (EP&A) assessments for IDA-endorsed projects.

Projects must meet the applicable capital investment threshold and be assessed through the formal EOI process before receiving IDA support. The authority manages approximately 30 projects annually and evaluates around one to two EOI rounds per year based on strategic priorities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for IDA facilitation support, a project must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Capital investment threshold: Estimated Development Cost (EDC) of $100 million or more (sector-specific thresholds apply; see Priority Sectors table above)
• Project type: Non-residential development; must not be primarily a residential project
• State significance: Project is, or could reasonably be expected to become, a State Significant Development (SSD), State Significant Infrastructure (SSI), or Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI)
• Location: Project must be located in, or directly benefit, New South Wales
• Strategic alignment: Project must align with NSW Government strategic priorities, including the NSW Industry Policy and Trade and Investment Strategy
• Financial independence: Applicant must not be reliant on government funding (grants, co-investment, land donation, concessional financing, tax concessions, or any implicit subsidy) to progress the project
• Land tenure: Applicant must demonstrate land ownership, an option to purchase, or another form of long-term tenure; land must not carry significant biodiversity, flood, bushfire, or Aboriginal Land Claim constraints
• Delivery capability: Applicant and project team must demonstrate experience, capacity, and capability to complete a project of equivalent scope and scale
• Development application readiness: Applicant must demonstrate the ability to lodge a development application and commence development in a timely manner
• Prior refusals addressed: If a previous application for the same or similar project was refused or withdrawn, the applicant must positively address the reasons for refusal.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The IDA does not fund activities or expenses directly. Facilitation support is available to projects involving the following types of activity:

• Construction and delivery of large-scale infrastructure and industrial facilities
• Establishment of data centre and digital infrastructure assets
• Development of renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission infrastructure
• Construction of high-quality tourist accommodation and visitor economy assets
• Development of domestic fuel storage, distribution, and production facilities
• Installation of heavy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and fleet operations
• Production of renewable liquid fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel, biodiesel, biomethane, renewable diesel, and green ammonia
• Upstream, midstream, and downstream fuel value chain projects

Projects must be commercial-scale, not primarily residential, and capable of delivering a significant contribution to the NSW economy.

Assessment Process

The IDA application process is competitive and selective. Submissions are not assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. All EOIs are evaluated against a structured two-objective framework following the close of each round.

Objective 1 — Economic and Planning Significance:

• Strategic alignment with NSW Government policies and priorities
• State significance classification (SSD, SSI, or CSSI)
• Non-residential nature of the development
• Minimum EDC threshold met ($100 million or above, sector-specific)

Objective 2 — Commercial Feasibility and Delivery Readiness:

• Clear description of government support sought and how barriers can be resolved
• No reliance on government funding to progress
• Demonstrated ability to lodge development applications and commence construction quickly
• Secure land tenure with no significant statutory constraints
• Positive resolution of any prior refused or withdrawn development applications
• Demonstrated experience and capability to deliver projects of comparable scope

Evaluated EOIs are reviewed by an Administrative Board comprising the Secretary of the Premier’s Department, NSW Treasury Secretary, Secretary of DPHI, and Chief Executive of Infrastructure NSW. The board recommends projects to the IDA Approval Committee, which consists of the NSW Treasurer, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, and the Minister for Industry and Trade.

Recent Program Updates

• Round 2 (Fuel Security Round) now open: The IDA launched its second EOI round in June 2026, focused exclusively on domestic fuel security infrastructure. The EOI portal opened on 1 June 2026 and closes at 11:59 am on 22 June 2026 (AEST).
• Market Sounding process introduced: For projects that do not meet the full EOI criteria (e.g. early-stage or below EDC threshold), the IDA has introduced a concurrent Market Sounding process. Market Sounding submissions are not evaluated for IDA endorsement but inform government policy and future investment facilitation.
• 16 projects endorsed in inaugural round: The NSW Government formally endorsed the first cohort of 16 critical projects following the inaugural EOI round, which attracted 48 submissions with a combined estimated value of $136 billion.
• Data centre guidance issued: The NSW Government issued a dedicated media release establishing a framework for sustainable data centre development in NSW, reflecting significant investor demand in that sector.

Application Tips

Businesses and investors considering an EOI submission are advised to take the following steps:

• Review the EOI Submission Guide in full before beginning an application. The guide outlines eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and the submission process in detail. It is available for download from the IDA’s official NSW Government webpage.
• Confirm EDC threshold compliance. Projects may aggregate multiple components or sites to meet the $100 million minimum, provided they form a cohesive and interrelated initiative.
• Demonstrate financial independence clearly. Applications that indicate reliance on government co-investment, grants, or subsidies will not meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants should have secured private financing or be able to demonstrate a credible financing pathway.
• Prepare land tenure documentation. Evidence of ownership, option agreements, or long-term leasehold arrangements will strengthen an application. Identify and address any known land constraints upfront.
• Align the proposal with current government priorities. The active round is focused on fuel security. Applicants should demonstrate a direct and material contribution to NSW fuel security objectives.
• Address any prior planning refusals. If the project or a predecessor was previously refused or withdrawn, the submission must clearly address the grounds for that decision.
• Submit through the online portal only. The IDA does not accept offline or emailed submissions. All EOIs must be lodged via the online webform by the published deadline.
• Consider the Market Sounding pathway if the project does not yet meet the full EOI criteria. This pathway allows early-stage engagement with government without formal evaluation.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant and investment specialist such as Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant, and competitive EOI submission. With over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate, Pattens Group is well-positioned to help businesses navigate the IDA process and maximise their chances of receiving facilitation support. Contact Pattens Group today to get connected with Australia’s best grant specialists.

For official guidelines, application details, submission forms, and further information, visit the official Investment Delivery Authority page on the NSW Government website at www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/investment-nsw/ida and associated Australian Government websites.