A NSW Government website

Health and life sciences in NSW

With leading research capability and fast-growing life sciences industry, New South Wales offers advanced products and unparalleled investment opportunities.

About health and life sciences in NSW

As the nation’s largest state economy, NSW is the centre of local industry, home to local and global companies including Pfizer AustraliaExternal Link, AstraZeneca AustraliaExternal Link, Bayer AustraliaExternal Link and Eli Lilly AustraliaExternal Link.

With an annual operating budget of AU$30.2 billion, the NSW public health care system offers world-class care to our 8 million citizens through 228 public hospitals. 

NSW is home to 11 universities, with 2 ranked in the top 50 for medicine and health. Australia is ranked 8th in the world for life sciences research.

Government R&D tax incentives for eligible companies make early-phase clinical trials 60 percent cheaper to run in Australia than the US. 

Precincts are a strength of NSW’s health system. Across the state there are globally significant networked concentrations of health, research, and education facilities.

The state’s health and medical research ecosystem is backed by the NSW Government; with AU$11.9 billion in capital investment over four years to 2025-2026, and a range of grants.

Home to 55 percent of Australia's medtech and biotech companies, and 44 percent of start ups. First-choice location of Australian HQ for multinationals. 5th in the world for biotech capabilities. 

Events

BIO International Convention 2023 (5 to 8 June, Boston, USA)

Come visit our boothExternal Link to see products and services from businesses in NSW. Meet representatives from NSW Government and explore how, by working together, we can make opportunities happen. Download the prospectus - NSW - A Global Hub for Health and Medical ResearchDownload File .

Working with business to promote growth

The NSW Government is targeting investment to grow the health and life sciences industry, offering incentives and support for projects such as Sydney’s AU$96 million RNA pilot manufacturing centre and AU$25 million viral vector facility.

Significant capital investment in health precincts dispersed across Greater Sydney in Westmead, Camperdown, Randwick and Liverpool, offer economic and productivity advantages to businesses. Precincts are where research institutions and companies can cluster and connect with startups, business incubators and accelerators. This creates a culture that supports the commercialisation of products and services and grows the future skills pipeline.

The NSW Government is targeting priority sectors including:

  • medical devices
  • biotechnology
  • clinical trials
  • gene and cell therapies
  • digital health.

With business, hospitals, universities, clinics and research institutes collaborating across multiple dedicated locations, NSW is leading the way to a healthier future for everyone.

Contact us

Contact Investment NSW to start making your opportunities happen in NSW.

Our dedicated team offer free, confidential and personalised support to businesses who want to learn more about health and life sciences, and how your organisation can benefit from working in NSW.