Tech Central is Australia’s largest and most significant innovation district, supporting a $42 billion economy and 100,000 workers. It was established in 2018 and spans six square kilometres across six diverse neighbourhoods.
The NSW Government committed $38.5 million in the 2025–26 Budget to Tech Central, as part of nearly $80 million in funding to deliver the Innovation Blueprint 2035.
This funding will support relocation and enhancement of the Sydney Startup Hub to Tech Central, and actions tied to the Strategy’s four outcomes to catalyse the district.
This includes support to establish governance, programs that help enable the district’s community and attract investment to create high-value jobs, drive innovation and boost productivity.
Tech Central is Australia’s innovation engine — at the heart of Sydney, it’s where entrepreneurial talent, research excellence, and creativity connect to solve the world's greatest challenges. Backed by world-class institutions and set in a vibrant, 24-hour precinct, Tech Central is where ideas scale and the future is built.
Strategic outcomes
Tech Central has strong leadership, governance and coordination bringing partners together, building a shared identity, and increasing the impact of innovation across sectors.
Intended benefits:
- Stronger leadership and governance
- Improved brand, identity and shared common purpose for Tech Central tenants
- Enhanced stakeholder buy-in to Tech Central, including momentum for growth
- Sustainable resourcing and operations to manage the innovation ecosystem
- Increased inclusive community participation
Tech Central attracts investment, supports global firms, turns research into products, grows high-impact startups and boosts collaboration across sectors.
Intended benefits:
- Increased agglomeration of businesses in priority sectors
- Increased number of successful ventures
- Increased research translation and commercialisation
- Diversified and increased NSW exports
Tech Central is a place where workers in key industries are trained, strong networks are built, and people are equipped with the tools to lead in innovation. It is an inclusive home for world-class talent.
Intended benefits:
- Increased access to highly-skilled workers for NSW businesses
- Additional jobs for workers, including pathways to upskill or reskill
- Increased diversity in the innovation ecosystem
- Increased opportunity for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups
Tech Central is a lively hub where people live, work, and connect. It supports round-the-clock activity, ignites creativity, and grows new ideas. It is a place built for collaboration, with strong transport links and a welcoming environment.
Intended benefits:
- Regenerated built environment and public realm
- Enhanced amenity, safety and vibrancy
- Additional affordable inner-city homes
- Enhanced sustainability
- Increased community connectivity and inclusion
- Increased visitation supporting creative industries and 24-hour economy
Access Australia's innovation engine
Download the Tech Central Economic Development Strategy
About Tech Central
- A place where high growth startups, scaleups, world-leading universities, global tech giants, venture capital, research and the community come together in a central Sydney location boasting high transport connectivity, skilled workers and a vibrant atmosphere.
- A $42 billion economy employing almost 100,000 people across 4,300 businesses, including some of Australia’s largest technology firms, such as Block and Canva, with the Atlassian headquarters under construction and due to open in 2027. The area has deep strengths in digital tech and services, creative industries, fintech and life sciences.
- A centre of research, including Sydney’s largest public teaching hospital, 150 research institutes and four universities – with two ranked in the world’s top 100. Tech Central’s education institutions attract 160,000 students to the area, supplying a vital local talent pipeline.
- A diverse collection of communities and an important part of Sydney. 48,000 people live here, in vibrant neighbourhoods that are go-to destinations for culture, entertainment and nightlife.
- Well situated in Greater Sydney’s transport network, with around 200,000 passengers passing through Central Station each day.
- The foundation of NSW and Australia’s innovation ecosystem. Sydney is recognised as one of the top 25 most innovative cities in the world with Tech Central at the core of this success. More research and inventions are generated here than anywhere else in Australia.
- A catalyst and enabler of research and development (R&D) throughout NSW. Tech Central’s institutions support innovation to occur throughout the state through research partnerships, commercial arrangements and knowledge-sharing. Tech Central’s success creates innovation spillovers which diffuse throughout the NSW economy. Success here benefits everywhere.
- A desirable residential hub backed by NSW Government. Rezoning of Central Precinct will enable 950 new homes, with 30% set aside as affordable housing. Another 500 homes, including at least 200 build-to-rent units, are planned for Camperdown, strengthening Tech Central as a place to live, not just work.