This page brings together three reports from the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council. Each report provides clear findings on how innovation, sustainability and business trends are affecting the NSW economy.
These reports support policy development and decision-makers, researchers and businesses. They show where opportunities are – and how NSW can respond.
Download the report
Report 1: The innovation economy – implications and imperatives for states and regions
This report explores what NSW and other regions need to do to shape the future economy using innovation, and why it’s needed.
Why the report matters
Innovation is changing how we solve problems, create jobs and build industries.
This report shows how governments can support innovation and prepare for future growth in NSW.
The NSW Innovation and Productivity Council commissioned the report from UK expert Professor Greg Clark to inform the Council’s research program and government policy development.
What’s in the report
The report looks at what makes innovation economies succeed. It highlights five key areas where governments can lead change and create the right conditions for growth:
- Business climate and institutions
Governments can support innovation by setting fair rules, reducing red tape and encouraging entrepreneurship.
- Infrastructure
Innovation needs reliable transport, digital networks and research spaces to grow.
- Investment
Addressing funding gaps helps startups and growing businesses access the capital they need.
- Global competitiveness
Strong innovation economies attract global talent and build trade connections.
- Information and coordination
Governments can connect the right people, align policies and share data to make innovation work.
These areas align with the NSW Innovation Blueprint 2035 (PDF 1.87MB).
Download the report
Report 2: Innovation in NSW’s environmental goods and services sector
This report explores how NSW is developing businesses and technologies to support sustainability and economic growth.
Why the report matters
This report provides the first economic snapshot of the environmental goods and services sector in NSW. The sector includes technologies, products and services that reduce environmental impacts, improve the use of natural resources, and support key industries across the state.
NSW has strong research capabilities, skilled workers and a competitive edge in this field. The sector is full of innovative ideas that help protect the environment while supporting economic growth.
What’s in the report
This report includes:
- an overview of NSW’s environmental goods and services EGS sector
- global and local case studies
- lessons from successful programs
- a roadmap for future growth.
Download the report
Report 3: Business size report
This report explores business trends in NSW, showing how different-sized companies are performing and contributing to the economy.
Why the report matters
Understanding how different business sizes contribute to the economy helps us design better programs, support job creation and grow the NSW economy.
This report helps answer questions like:
- How many small, medium and large businesses are there in NSW?
- What is their share of jobs, revenue and exports?
- How do they affect innovation and productivity?
- Which sectors are growing or shrinking?
- How does business size affect performance?
This information is valuable for policymakers, researchers and anyone supporting business growth across the state.
What’s in the report
The report provides detailed data and analysis on employing businesses in NSW. It includes:
- state-level insights based on firm-level microdata from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Business Longitudinal Data Analysis Environment (BLADE)
- aggregated figures on employment, turnover, exports and profit across business size categories
- industry-level comparisons of economic contribution by business size
- innovation and productivity indicators by business size
- new data available for the first time using linked microdata.
These findings support informed policy, funding decisions and deeper understanding of how businesses grow and contribute to NSW’s economic development.