From 2026, New South Wales will make the BTR land tax concession permanent and launch a critical minerals royalty deferral scheme to attract investment.
Michael Coutts-Trotter, the Secretary of the New South Wales (NSW) Treasury, presented the province’s 2025-26 budget on 24 June 2025.
The policies are aimed at repairing the budget and making it more resilient to the continued risks and pressures that are taking effect. Debt levels are stabilising and the economy is normalising following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State’s operating position has improved from a AUD 10.7 billion deficit in 2023-24 to an expected AUD 5.7 billion deficit in 2024-25. The Budget projects a further improvement in 2025-26, to a deficit of AYD 3.4 billion, followed by a surplus of AUD 1.1 billion in each of 2027-28 and 2028-29.
The budget introduced no new taxes but included key measures: a permanent 50% BTR land tax concession starting in 2026 and an opt-in minerals royalty deferral scheme to boost regional mining investment.
Permanent extension to build-to-rent (BTR) concession
The 50% BTR land tax concession will become permanent in 2026, removing labour force requirements for construction.
Minerals royalty deferral regime
The NSW government introduces a critical minerals royalty deferral scheme to boost regional mining investment.