The NSW Government introduced a special infrastructure contribution (SIC) to help pay for new infrastructure in the Western Sydney Growth Areas on 14 January 2011.
The SIC will help fund:
- state and regional roads
- primary and secondary schools, and special-purpose education facilities
- emergency services and justice
- regional open space and biodiversity conservation
- health services
- bus services.
The SIC program to date has committed $584.2 million towards the planning, construction, and upgrade of public infrastructure. Developers have delivered infrastructure works valued at approximately $497 million, provided in place of cash payments through works-in-kind agreements.
As a result of the program’s investments:
The Western Sydney Growth Areas and Aerotropolis SIC will continue to apply until repealed on 30 June 2026 when they will transition into the housing and productivity contribution.
For more information about the Western Sydney Growth Areas biodiversity certification program, visit Growth Centres Program.
Successful projects for round 6
Round 6 of the SIC funding program allocated $63.2 million to help fund 9 projects across Western Sydney. These infrastructure projects will support around 125,000 new homes across Sydney’s North West- and South West Growth Areas. The total value of the 9 projects is $123.2 million.
| Applicant | Project name | Project type | SIC investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hills Shire Council | The Water Lane Upgrade (Annangrove Road to Nelson Road), Box Hill | Capital construction | $5.6m |
| NSW Department of Education | Thirteenth Avenue School Site, Austral | Land acquisition | $10m |
| NSW Department of Education | Kelly Street School Site, Austral | Land acquisition | $10m |
| Fire and Rescue NSW | New Fire Station, Box Hill | Land acquisition | $3.5m |
| Camden Council | Rickard Ingleburn Intersection Road Upgrade - Land Acquisition, Leppington | Land acquisition | $9.5m |
| Blacktown City Council | Hambledon Road North Extension - Land Acquisitions, Tallawong | Land acquisition | $10m |
| Transport for NSW | Windsor Road and Otago Street Signalised Intersection Concept Design, Vineyard | Planning and design | $6m |
| The Hills Shire Council | Terry Road Upgrade (Alan Street and Mason Road South), Box Hill | Planning and design | $2.6m |
| Transport for NSW | Raby Road and Devonshire Road Extension, Leppington | Planning and design | $6m |
Frequently asked questions
We assessed the nominated projects in the following 5 stages:
- Review of eligibility assessment
- Service catchment analysis
- Economic assessment using a Rapid Cost-Benefit Analysis model
- Independent review by a technical consultant
- Independent strategic review by an expert panel.
The SIC Funding Program team will contact the successful applicant and issue the funding agreement or term sheet. After the funding agreements and term sheets are executed, the applicant will send an invoice to the team to arrange payment.
We will work with the successful applicants to execute the funding agreements or term sheets as soon as possible. The sooner the agreement is executed, the sooner you can receive funding.
The Round 6 investment of $63.2 million to vital infrastructure projects across Western Sydney will support approximately 125,000 new homes over the next 15 years and support the government’s broader goal of delivering 377,000 new homes by 2029.
All planning and design projects must be delivered by 30 June 2028. All land acquisition and construction projects must be completed by 30 June 2029.
Current rates
The SIC rate is adjusted annually according to the latest Consumer Price Index.
Western Sydney SIC contribution rates – FY2025–26
Contribution rates as at 1 July 2025
| Class of development | Contribution rate |
|---|---|
| 1. Development on residential land that is within a Western Sydney growth centre precinct subject to a precinct plan (as referred to in clause 5 (1) (a) of the Determination) | $266,061* per ha of net developable area |
| 2. Development on residential land within Balmoral Road Area, Elderslie Area or Spring Farm Area (as referred to in clause 5 (1) (b) of the Determination) | $211,142* per ha of net developable area |
| 3. Development on industrial land that is within a Western Sydney growth centre precinct subject to a precinct plan (as referred to in clause 5 (1) (c) of the Determination) | $115,344* per ha of net developable area |
| 4. Development on any land that is within a Western Sydney growth centre precinct not subject to a precinct plan (as referred to in clause 5 (1) (d) of the Determination) | $266,061* per ha of net developable area |
*The SIC rate is indexed annually on 1 July as outlined in the Environmental Planning and Assessment (Special Infrastructure Contribution - Western Sydney Growth Areas) Determination.
Requirements for certifiers
Changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 mean certifiers must confirm that there is no outstanding SIC payment required before issuing an occupation certificate.
How to pay
To see if your development is in the SIC area or to pay your contribution, visit the SIC Online Service.
Infrastructure contributions reform
The NSW Productivity Commissioner has proposed reforms to the infrastructure contributions system. Its recommendations include introducing transitional and savings arrangements, which may affect the aerotropolis SIC.
To learn more, read Improving the infrastructure contributions system.
Resources
- Ministerial determination: How the SIC is levied and a list of state public infrastructure (PDF, 1.6 MB)
- Ministerial direction: Conditions for development consent (PDF, 67 KB)
- Western Sydney Growth Areas SIC – Area map (PDF, 5 MB)
- Grant guidelines for Round 6 of the Western Sydney Growth Areas Special Infrastructure Contributions Funding Program (PDF, 1 MB)