About this tracker
GovRadar captures government announcements across key policy areas, giving university partners an easy way to browse and stay across emerging priorities. While not exhaustive, it highlights the majority of public-facing, policy-focused ministerial announcements at both state and federal levels. The tracker is updated on a monthly basis.
Major developments
January 2026
In January, the NSW and Commonwealth Governments both emphasised cost-of-living priorities. In NSW, announcements focused heavily on accelerating home construction through planning reform, new pattern-book terrace designs, finance guarantees, and record housing completions. Support for first-home buyers featured prominently, alongside affordability measures such as low-cost home designs and targeted assistance for foster carers. At the national level, the Commonwealth highlighted the healthcare funding agreement with states and territories, cheaper medicines and early learning guarantees.
A second major theme was economic resilience and productivity. NSW outlined reforms to streamline planning and improve dispute resolution. Cybersecurity readiness and community service agreements were positioned as investments in institutional resilience. Federally, announcements centred on boosting domestic manufacturing through the “Made Right Here” campaign, backing applied research, and advancing a national productivity agenda.
Following the attack at Bondi in December, community safety and social cohesion remained major priorities in January. The NSW Government committed to shutting down illegal hate-preaching venues, while the Commonwealth announced national security legislation, a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, and reviews of laws addressing hate and extremism.
December 2025
Following the tragic terrorist incident at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, substantial legislative action was taken regarding public safety, notably with the NSW Parliament passing tighter gun laws and the Commonwealth Government establishing a National Gun Buyback Scheme. NSW also moved to crack down on hate symbols while the Commonwealth Government launched a review into federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
On economic policy, the Commonwealth engaged in critical minerals development and infrastructure deals to boost AI in Australia, while the NSW Government welcomed investment from OpenAI. Several measures were launched to protect consumers, including federal plans to ban supermarket price gouging and mandate cash acceptance. Efforts to lower household costs included initiatives to help motorists save on fuel and an inquiry into credit cards and digital wallets. In the workforce, early childhood educators received a 15 per cent pay rise and an agreement was reached on workers’ compensation reforms in NSW.
In other areas of public policy, the NSW Government prioritised housing supply through the Housing Delivery Authority, which saw its first approved homes. Health reforms focused on reducing avoidable hospital admissions through technology and improving access to paediatric allied healthcare. Significant social policy actions included the release of a new Disability Inclusion Plan and disaster resilience engagement with First Nations communities.
November 2025
It has been a busy month for both the NSW and Commonwealth governments.
The New South Wales Government announced major investments and reforms relating to infrastructure, housing, and industry support this month. Key initiatives included speeding up approvals to increase housing supply by passing the NSW Planning System Reform Bill. Additionally, the government is aiming to strengthen regional industries with a $25 million boost to the agricultural sector and a $20 million investment to expand the aquaculture industry. Energy and transport were also prioritised, with the release of the NSW Renewable Fuel Strategy and plans to provide more charging options for EV drivers.
Another key focus area was justice, safety, and community wellbeing. Reforms to improve responses to youth crime were passed by Parliament, along with legislation to make prisons safer. Measures also targeted family and digital violence, including the launch of DV Notify to enhance victim-survivor safety and stronger digital safety rules in workplaces. Increased funding for bushfire mitigation and other disaster relief initiatives were also launched.
The Albanese Government was focused on productivity, education, and economic security. A key reform was a 20 per cent reduction in student debt for over three million Australians. Economic measures included new legislation to ensure superannuation payments are made on time and agreements on reforms to increase competition and boost productivity.
Furthermore, the Commonwealth Government established the Australian AI Safety Institute and introduced new laws for digital assets to foster innovation. Reforms for environmental protection were passed in Parliament, and additional measures were taken to ensure a sustainable future for the forestry sector. On the international stage, the government worked towards ratifying the WHO treaty on global public health, among other international agreements.
October 2025
The NSW and Commonwealth Governments have committed to strategic investments and regulatory shifts to bolster economic growth and jobs, creating key areas for industry partnership and applied research. The focus on critical minerals was evident, with the Commonwealth signing a critical minerals framework with the US and the NSW Government unlocking millions for rare-earth and copper exploration.
Capital investment in NSW is set for a potential surge, as the first Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) round attracted a $136 billion investment pipeline. This was also evident at the federal level, with a consultation launched to streamline the foreign investment framework and targeted measures to expand Australian companies into Southeast Asia.
Significant legislative and funding initiatives were announced across social, health and justice. Major health investments included $30 million to speed up surgeries. In the justice system, key reforms were introduced, including sentencing reforms for intimate partner homicide and child safety reforms. The NSW Government also announced $8 million funding boost to protect women’s rights at work and investment in Aboriginal-led responses to domestic and family violence. The Commonwealth Government’s focus on the education sector included finalising the 2026 public university international student allocations and school education reforms, while the NSW Government announced new vocational training initiatives and partnerships.
September 2025
In September, the NSW Government focused on boosting infrastructure investment, technology adoption, and workforce development. Key announcements included the opening of the Investment Delivery Authority and the $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee, aimed at fast-tracking major projects. A strong emphasis on innovation was clear with the launch of a new strategy for Sydney’s Tech Central, the creation of a new Office for AI in the Department of Customer Service, and the opening of a healthcare robotics and innovation centre. In education, NSW announced the rollout of a purpose-built AI education tool to public school students from Year 5. The Government also advanced reforms in apprenticeships and traineeships and investments in skilled workforce development and regional development.
In the energy and environment sector, the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone project received planning approval, and the NSW Government introduced new guidelines to simplify disaster adaptation planning, released a new Biosecurity Action Plan, and plans for reusing and recycling solar panels. The federal government adopted Australia’s 2035 climate target and pledged $1.1 billion to produce cleaner fuel.
Addressing housing supply remains a top priority, driven by major planning reforms and increased social protections. The Government announced over 12,000 new homes as state significant (in stages) alongside more support for build-to-rent housing and tougher rental protections for those facing domestic and family violence. Other developments included passing a world-leading Suicide Prevention Bill and reforms enhancing protections against deepfakes, image-based abuse, and sexual violence.
August 2025
The Economic Reform Roundtable took place in Canberra this month to outline measures to boost national productivity. In NSW, there has been a strong emphasis on economic development, job creation, and infrastructure. This includes $8.7 million in investment for jobs and industry infrastructure in the Hunter. The NSW Budget 2025-26 earmarks $12.4 billion for health infrastructure and significant funds for public transport projects, such as the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.
In the area of housing and social policy, the government has launched the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035, a long-term plan that shifts the focus from crisis management to early intervention and providing stable housing with support. This is complemented by initiatives to accelerate planning approvals for large-scale housing projects, including affordable and social housing. The government also announced a new National Health and Medical Research Strategy to enhance research capabilities and improve health outcomes.
In education, the Commonwealth Government is taking steps to create a more “joined-up tertiary education system” and to strengthen the powers of the university regulator. A new national code to protect staff and students from sexual violence in higher education has been introduced. Additionally, reforms to apprenticeship and traineeship programs are being prioritised to develop a skilled workforce for construction and other key sectors.
July 2025
The NSW Government announced a range of new measures in July, largely focused on infrastructure, housing, and public services. On the federal level, the 48th Parliament opened on 22 July in Canberra, with education and economic reform as the leading focus areas of ministerial announcements.
Several new housing initiatives were promoted, such as thousands of new homes being declared State Significant Developments, land purchased for new homes in flood-affected communities, and the launch of new housing pattern designs that can be approved quickly. Additionally, there were announcements about new public modular housing for tenants and homes for essential workers. Several announcements highlighted investments and new projects aimed at improving infrastructure, particularly in regional areas and Western Sydney. This includes $11.5 million of investment in Northern Rivers projects, a $2.24 billion road upgrade in Western Sydney, and a new vision and funding for a “creative boom” in Western Sydney.
Announcements also detailed reforms and initiatives in key sectors like education, energy, health, and worker safety. In the energy sector, the NSW Government is looking to boost energy security by investing $26.2 million in low-emissions clean technology. In addition, the official launch of the Energy Security Corporation aims to accelerate priority projects through $1 billion in co-investment. Health and wellbeing-related announcements included reforms to make ADHD care cheaper and more accessible, the establishment of a virtual health hub for menopause care, a lift in early support services for domestic violence, and reforms to the Working with Children Check. There was also a focus on workers’ safety through a blitz by SafeWork NSW and ongoing efforts to reform workers’ compensation, with legislative deliberation continuing in the NSW Parliament.
The Albanese Government announced a range of measures on economic and social policy. Notably, the government announced a 20 per cent cut to all student debts, fulfilling an election commitment. An Economic Reform Roundtable was announced to take place in August, and a consultation was launched on reforms to non-compete clauses to boost wages and productivity. The government also took steps on children’s use of social media and on reducing pharmaceutical costs. Internationally, the government was involved in G20 Finance Ministers meetings and a visit to the People’s Republic of China.
