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Is my project eligible?

The purpose of the Digital Restart Fund is to support digital and information and communication technology initiatives, and for that purpose, it funds projects that fall into these categories:

Life Events, Life Journeys

The project improves the customer experience of those accessing a service or product due to a significant event during the individual’s life, such as having a baby; recording related interactions between individual and entities connected with the delivery of services by a government agency; and implementing solutions to rectify impediments to service delivery.

State Digital Assets

A product or service that can be used across more than one NSW government agency to ensure a consistent experience, reduce duplication and save costs.

Front line systems modernisation (Legacy)

The project optimises existing technologies, applications, computer systems or processes to improve the functionality and operational life of those technologies, applications, computer systems or processes.

Capability Building

The project provides new approaches to the learning and skill development of NSW government employees in a risk-free environment that fosters exploration, innovation and best practices relating to the customer-service experience.

Projects that will not be considered for funding

  • Physical Infrastructure (non-ICT)
  • Local Government (This does not exclude eligible govt programs that are integrating with local government e.g. smart cities)
  • BAU technology run costs
  • Already fully funded by other funding sources., e.g. Commonwealth, existing department capital allocations etc.
  • Operating technology (e.g. card scanners, magnetic resonance imaging etc.)

If you need help with the eligibility criteria, please contact the Digital Restart team.

If your project does not meet the eligibility criteria, there may be alternative funding options available. To find out more contact your Chief Financial Officer, the project management office in your department or the NSW Treasury.

Funding reservations

Cyber Security

In June 2020, the NSW Government set aside up to $240 million of the Digital Restart Fund for cyber security, to uplift cyber security maturity, which is a critical part of transformation. All cyber security business cases will be assessed in the same way as other business cases.The fund was then topped up with $75 million in June 2021 to cater to NSW Government independent agencies. Please contact Cyber NSW to discuss funding consideration and prioritisation into the Cyber Security uplift program funding reservation.

Smart Places

In December 2020, the Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) approved a $45 million funding envelope over a three-year period for Smart Places Acceleration Program under the Digital Restart Fund. The Smart Places Acceleration Program operates within these published guidelines. Through the NSW Smart Places Acceleration Program, the NSW Government is helping place owners – including councils, government agencies, property owners, and regional organisations – apply innovative smart technologies and capabilities.