The Investment Framework identifies requirements, recommendations, and guidance for different stages of an initiative’s development, appraisal, monitoring and evaluation. It applies to projects, programs, regulations and policies. The framework includes primary guidance documents, technical notes, and supplementary guidance materials.

NSW Government Investment Framework


The NSW Government’s Investment Framework includes:

NSW Performance and Wellbeing Framework    

  • sets out the overarching wellbeing themes for NSW residents
  • defines outcomes for government services and policies
  • measures and reports on the performance of services and quality of life.

Business Case Guidelines 

  • sets mandatory requirements, recommendations and best practice guidance for developing business cases
  • supplemented by templates and technical notes. 

NSW Government Guide to Cost-Benefit Analysis  

  • sets out circumstances when a CBA is required, mandatory requirements, and best-practice guidance
  • supplemented by sector frameworks and Rapid CBA tool. 

Evaluation Guidelines

  • requires agencies to coordinate monitoring and periodic evaluation of ongoing and new initiatives
  • sets out mandatory requirements, recommendations, and guidance for evaluation planning, design and reporting
  • supported by a series of technical notes and workbooks.

Guide to Better Regulation

  • sets out requirements for agencies proposing new, or amendments to, legislation or regulations
  • assists agencies in developing regulation that is required, reasonable and responsive to the economic, social, and environmental needs of NSW, including how to apply the seven Better Regulation principles.

Benefits Management Guide

  • best practice guidance on the identification, measurement, monitoring and handover of benefits.

First Nations Investment Framework

  • guidance on good practice for designing and conducting economic appraisal and evaluation of initiatives that impact First Nations people.

Carbon Emissions in the Investment Framework

  • sets out requirements on carbon emissions in the Investment Framework and presents carbon values agencies must use when conducting a CBA.

Disaster Cost-Benefit Framework  

  • guides the use of cost-benefit analysis for disaster resilience initiatives
  • includes a flood cost benefit analysis tool to calculate costs and benefits of flood resilience initiatives. 

E-learning modules

The Investment Framework e-learning modules provide users with an introduction to the Investment Framework and a basic understanding of its key policies. Access the e-learning modules here.


The NSW Government Investment Framework is complemented by NSW Gateway Policy, which provides external assurance that projects and programs are effectively developed and delivered in line with government objectives.

NSW government Investment framework with gateway policy

Last updated: 19/02/2025