Regional NSW continues to be a big part of the State’s jobs growth success story with more than 40 per cent of new jobs added over the past 12 months occurring outside Sydney, today’s ABS figures show.

The official data reveals that more than 58,600 jobs were created in regional NSW over the 12 months to February – representing a 4.9 per cent increase on the previous year.

Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian said the data showed that regional NSW was a major contributor to the State’s economic growth.

“It is extremely encouraging that regions outside Sydney have been responsible for more than 40 per cent of the new jobs over the past year,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“NSW is the nation’s economic powerhouse and I am proud that so much of that strength is coming from regional NSW. We want everyone across the State to experience the benefits of NSW being the nation’s number one economy.”

Regional highlights include the Illawarra (up 11.2 per cent), Richmond-Tweed (up 24 per cent) and the Central Coast (up 19.7 per cent).

Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro welcomed the data and said the investments being made across regional NSW continue to have a positive impact.

“We are delivering major regional airport upgrades, local projects through Resources for Regions, and fixing up hundreds of mobile phone blackspots.

“We are investing for the long term to support regional economies to help them grow and create new and sustainable jobs for the future,” he said.