The NSW government has announced the first round of the Jobs Plus Program will deliver around 280 jobs with Baxter Healthcare and biotechnology company SpeeDx the first businesses to be part of the initiative.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $250 million program from Investment NSW was an opportunity for the state to invest in its future prosperity by nurturing industries, technology and stimulating job creation.
“NSW is open for business – our world-leading management of the pandemic has made our state a premier destination for relocation and expansion,” said Ms Berejiklian.
“Jobs Plus is focused on propelling NSW into post-pandemic prosperity by incentivising the private sector to invest in job creation opportunities and support through the critical stages of business development.
“Supporting Baxter Healthcare and SpeeDx to take their NSW operations to the next level will support approximately 280 direct jobs in medical equipment manufacturing and biotechnology over the next four years.”
Baxter Healthcare, Australia’s only local manufacturer of intravenous (IV) medical fluids, will invest in a major expansion of its advanced manufacturing facility in Western Sydney, supporting more than 600 existing jobs and creating approximately 80 new jobs by June 2024.
SpeeDx will look to establish a new global headquarters, including relocating manufacturing capabilities from the US to Sydney and improving supply chain bottlenecks, creating almost 200 jobs by June 2024.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said supporting the growth of medical technology and healthcare innovation protected lives as well as the economy.
“The pandemic put a spotlight on the value of these high-growth, essential industries and backing their growth is crucial to ensure our economy is fuelled by sustainable, knowledge-based jobs that are here for the long run,” said Mr Ayres.
Baxter Healthcare general manager for Australia and New Zealand, Steven Flynn, said the company was proud to partner with the NSW Government to invest in modern manufacturing operations in Western Sydney and create jobs in the local medtech sector.
“As Australia’s only local manufacturer of IV medical fluids, Baxter is committed to supporting our hospitals and healthcare professionals with reliable supply of medicines during the pandemic and beyond,” said Mr Flynn.
“This major expansion of our medical manufacturing facility in NSW will help to strengthen our national supply chain resilience and support continued export growth of Australian Made medicines.”
SpeeDx CEO Colin Denver said that the company had recently grown over 50 per cent in just over a year, with continued growth planned for the NSW office with a focus on the creation of innovative diagnostic tools that improve patient care in the field of infectious disease and antibiotic resistance.
“This government support comes at a pivotal time for the company, as we expand into new headquarters and significantly increase our manufacturing capacity, improve supply chain security and increase Australia's sovereign capacity for important diagnostic tests,” said Mr Denver.