Social impact investments

Improving the lives of the people of NSW is a key priority for the NSW Government. Social impact investment enables government, non-government organisations and private investors, to work together to address some of the biggest challenges that face our community.

In 2013, the NSW Government pioneered Australia’s first two social impact bonds, seeking to deliver better services and results for families at risk. Building on the successful launch of the initial bonds, the NSW Government is committed to finding other opportunities to use social impact investment to deliver better services and results.

Social impact investments bring together capital and expertise from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to achieve targeted social outcomes. Investments can be made into companies, organisations or funds, whether they be not-for-profit or for-profit.

Where investors are involved, they will expect their investment to be repaid and, potentially, to earn a return. Returns usually depend on the level of social outcomes achieved. 

We are evaluating both the structure and services of each bond. All evaluation reports are made available on this website as they are produced.