The Minns Labor Government is inviting the community to have their say on the Local Jobs First Bill, which will establish the Local Jobs First Commission, which is targeted to support local jobs and apprentices and help grow local businesses.

The intention of the Local Jobs First Bill is to assist in supporting the re-building of the state’s manufacturing sector. It also builds on the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing procurement reforms, including ‘If not, why not’ rules, which require agencies to engage with NSW suppliers before awarding contracts worth more than $7.5 million, and raising the threshold at which government agencies can directly purchase from small businesses to $250,000. 

Provisions in the Local Jobs First Bill include:

• Creating the NSW Local Jobs First Commission and a Local Jobs First Commissioner to champion local businesses, industry and jobs.
• Introducing a Local Procurement Policy that will include a 30% tender weighting for local content, job creation, small business participation, and ethical supply chains and embed training targets for apprentices and other workers learning new skills on major projects.
• The definition of ‘local content’ under the Jobs First Commission legislation will be any Australia or New Zealand-based enterprise.
• Establishing a Local Jobs First Advisory Board to guide policy and boost local supplier competitiveness.
• Requiring Local Procurement Plans for major contracts to secure commitments to local jobs and local content.
• Enabling a supplier debarment scheme to ensure accountability and remove suppliers found to have committed serious misconduct from the government supply chain.

The draft Local Jobs First Bill is now open for public comment. Submissions are invited from businesses, unions, industry groups, and the broader community. MBA NSW is in the process of making submissions. Any members who wish to contribute to these submissions can contact cspence@mbansw.asn.au before COB 17 February 2026.