A NSW Government website

Artificial Intelligence

Close to 90% of Australian businesses use AI technology and almost half of AI businesses in Australia are in NSW.

Australian businesses are big consumers of artificial intelligence (AI), with 89% of large businesses using AI technology. NSW’s workforce, deep AI research and development capabilities, and a technology-ready, diverse multicultural consumer base make it an ideal location for AI product development, testing and insight generation.​ 

There are 241 AI businesses headquartered in NSW, the most of any Australian state, proving strength in our AI ecosystem, this represents 45% of Australia’s total AI businesses. NSW also employs 38% of Australia’s total software and application programmers. We have a strong local cluster of AI businesses, similar in scale to Berlin and close to those of Singapore and Toronto.​ 

NSW was also the first state in Australia to publish its AI Strategy, supporting a network of industry, government and academic collaborations to deliver our world class capabilities.  

The AI research output at our universities is strong, with two of Australia’s five world-leading AI universities based in Sydney. The Centre for Field Robotics at the University of Sydney is one of the world’s largest robotics institutes, while the University of NSW is home to a dedicated AI & Robotics Research Group. 

The state's large multicultural and multilingual community doesn’t just make NSW a great place to live, it also makes it ideal for developing inclusive AI products that can be deployed globally. 

NSW is a technology leader in the Asia-Pacific

NSW is home to 241 AI businesses, the most of any Australian state, representing a share of 45% of Australia's total AI businesses

NSW employs more than 38% of Australia's total software and application programmers

NSW was the first Australian state to publish its AI Strategy

Two of Australia's five world-leading AI universities are based in Sydney

Universities in NSW are among the top publishers of AI research in Australia:

#1 - University of Technology Sydney

#6 - University of New South Wales

Supporting your move to NSW

Investment NSW can connect you with a range of services and incentives available to businesses looking to grow.

Guidance: grants, rebates, programs and incentives

Investment NSW offers bespoke services to businesses looking to build a presence within NSW.

The team at Investment NSW provides tailored advice on grants, rebates, programs and other incentives your business may be eligible for.

Location: site identification, familiarisation and development

Whether you need a high-tech lab, an advanced manufacturing facility connected to a university or a greenfield site in regional NSW, we can assist.

We can work with you to establish a presence in a precinct or collaboration area suited to your needs.

We provide services to help you find the right accommodation:

  • determining the type of accommodation to best meet your businesses requirements
  • advice and support regarding opportunities available on Government land (both long and short term)
  • support navigating the planning process
Market insights

We can provide tailored information and data, including local market insights, on our focus areas.

Connections

We can introduce you to stakeholders who can support your growth objectives. This may include connecting you to:

  • corporate partners
  • business chambers
  • industry associations
  • technology precincts
  • research institutes
  • government agencies
Familiarisation visits

We offer curated introductions to help you identify local partners, distributors, industry stakeholders and service providers.

Asia-Pacific growth advice

Once you have established here, a wide range of services and programs are available to use NSW as a springboard into Asia and the world. We can help you identify opportunities to expand in the region.

Learn more

Visa and Skilled Migration support

Our Business & Skilled Migration Program is highly supportive of NSW’s growing tech industries and precincts. The program attracts new and emerging digital technology capabilities and skills, provides visa and migration advice to businesses, and nominates high potential migration candidates to live and work in NSW.

These initiatives have spurred the growth of digital technology businesses across the state and are available to all organisations considering investment opportunities in NSW.

Landing Pads

Investment NSW is providing the International Landing Pad to support overseas technology businesses expanding into Australia with free office accommodation. It is a dedicated co-working space designed to provide a soft landing for businesses from overseas to enable them entry into the Australian markets seamlessly. The Sydney Startup Hub occupies 17,000 square metres of space across 11 floors under one roof and is currently home to nearly 400 startups.

Learn more

Contact us

Contact Investment NSW today to find out more about investment opportunities in NSW. 

Last updated: May 2024