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Premier-elect Chris Minns has promised to build a government all NSW can be proud of following a definitive election victory which shattered coalition hopes of a historic fourth term.

Labor took at least nine seats from the government in Saturday's contest with a statewide two-party preferred swing of seven per cent.

Even before his swearing-in, the Labor leader was on the front foot on Sunday, making his first direction before noon.

"No, you're not getting a flat white," he told 12-year-old son Nicholas as the Minns family, surrounded by photographers, ordered drinks at a Kogarah cafe.

Later, in his first press conference, he committed to working for all, "whether you voted Liberal, National, Labor or for a minor party".

"We will make sure you've got a government in place you can be proud of and that will work on behalf of the people of NSW," he said.

Mr Minns noted there was not a moment to lose and sat down with his leadership group on Sunday afternoon to map out his government's initial steps, including removing the public sector wages cap.

While the timing of their swearing-in is up in the air, Ryan Park (health), deputy leader Prue Car (education), Jo Haylen (transport) and Penny Sharpe (environment) will stick with the portfolios they held in shadow cabinet.

That would "largely" be the case for the first Minns ministry, though its exact formation will come after individual seat counts are clearer.

One man asking for a portfolio could be former primary industries and emergency services minister Steve Whan, who mounted a 15 per cent swing to rip bellwether Monaro from Nationals hands.

"I'll have those conversations with my colleagues in the next few days," Mr Minns said.

Labor is predicted to form a comfortable majority, after claiming Parramatta, East Hills, Heathcote and Riverstone in Sydney's south and west, and regional seats including South Coast.

The Liberals have conceded retiring health minister Brad Hazzard's former seat of Wakehurst, after an independent challenge by local mayor Michael Regan.

Penrith, Camden and Terrigal also appear to have fallen, though the Liberals are hoping pre-poll and postal votes can turn the tide.

"Apart from obviously asking for an unprecedented 16 years, the retirement of hard-working local members made a considerable difference," a NSW Liberal Party spokesman said.

The ALP now governs every mainland state and territory, with Tasmania the last Liberal holdout.

"It shows just like we have at a federal level, we've sort of got that approach which brings people together on many of the big challenges facing our state and our country," Federal Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen told ABC Radio on Sunday.

"Most particularly climate change but on many issues to build that synthesis to say we have an approach which is not simple or easy but it's the right approach for people of all walks of life."

Federal Liberal Andrew Bragg said it was always going to be hard for his party to win a fourth term but NSW had not been wiped out in areas the federal branch had been in 2022.

He urged the NSW Liberals not to overreach as they prepare for new leadership.

Deputy Liberal Leader and Treasurer Matt Kean is a top contender for the party's leadership while Perrottet minister Alister Henskens was out early on Sunday trying to lift party morale and avoiding questions about his own potential tilt.

Labor ending up with 45 to 48 seats, in a parliament requiring 47 votes for a majority, would make for a very narrow parliament and a "hotly contested political environment", Mr Henskens told Sky News.

After the devastating loss, a gutted Premier Dominic Perrottet stunned supporters by announcing he would step down as Liberal leader. He took "full responsibility" for the loss.

In a gracious concession speech, he also heaped praise on Mr Minns and urged people to get behind him no matter their political persuasion.

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AJ Brimson's chances of starting at fullback for Queensland in the 2023 State of Origin opener have been dealt a blow after the Gold Coast star suffered a hamstring injury in his side's round-four loss to the Cowboys.

Brimson left the field a quarter of the way through the Titans' 24-12 loss to North Queensland in Townsville after having his hamstring worked on by the trainer.

The 24-year-old could be seen grimacing and was in obvious discomfort as pressure was applied to the back of his right leg.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook said "they're never easy injuries to come back from in a short time" adding he would see how Brimson and five-eighth Kieran Foran (calf) - who departed the field within moments of the fullback - pull up this week as Gold Coast head into a bye.

Brimson has been a standout for the now 2-2 Titans early this year with a try, four assists, 12 tackle breaks and an average of 147 running metres per game.

The Gold Coast product's deft grubbers on the left edge have produced opportunities for rookie winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, who has crossed for five tries in four games.

Brimson was overlooked last year for Queensland after shifting from five-eighth to fullback but has three caps to his name after stints in 2020 and 2021.

He faces a tight battle with Brisbane's Reece Walsh and Dolphins flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for the vacant fullback jumper, with Kalyn Ponga sidelined indefinitely due to concussion.

Walsh and Tabuai-Fidow starred in the 'Battle of Brisbane' on Friday as coach Billy Slater ponders his picks for Origin I at Adelaide Oval on May 31.

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Chris Minns will be the 47th premier of NSW after leading Labor into power for the first time since 2011.

"Friends, after 12 years in opposition, the people of NSW have voted for a fresh start," the 43-year-old told an adoring election-night crowd in Sydney on Saturday.

Labor campaigned strongly on the issue of privatisation, claiming the Liberal coalition would sell off assets despite their promises not to.

"It is undeniably the case that today's election was also a decisive vote against privatisation, to retain Sydney Water and Essential Energy in the NSW Government," the incoming premier said.

Labor is tipped to gain the 47 seats necessary to govern in its own right, with the ABC predicting as many as 50 seats will be red.

Mr Minns paid tribute to outgoing premier Dominic Perrottet who announced he will quit as state Liberal leader.

"This election campaign, perhaps uniquely, was a model of respect and civility, and neither party took the low road, neither political party took the low blow," Mr Minns said.

"It can be a model for the way democracy is done right across this country. I can't say that every election campaign in the future will be conducted the same way but, from now on, no-one will be able to say that it can't be."

Mr Perrottet said Mr Minns would make a fine replacement as he took full responsibility for his party's loss.

"And, as a result I will be standing down as the Parliamentary Liberal Party leader."

"It is very clear we need a fresh start."

Mr Perrottet conceded defeat in a phone call to Mr Minns about 9pm on Saturday.

An early two-party preferred swing of about 6.4 per cent led to decisive calls by analysts.

The outgoing premier urged everyone in NSW to get behind Mr Minns for the sake of the country.

"I ask everybody across NSW, whatever your political persuasion, to get behind him, because when NSW goes well, our country goes well, and that is something I believe we can all unite behind."

Mr Perrottet, who became premier 18 months ago after Gladys Berejiklian quit amid a corruption probe, had sought a fourth term for the coalition.

Deputy Labor leader Prue Car said the party had struck a chord with the people of NSW.

"We made a case for change, and we have made the case for change as a team that has done the work," she said.

"We really were listening to people, and talking about the bread-and-butter issues that people are concerned about.

Liberal treasurer Matt Kean said he was not surprised by the result, saying after 12 years of coalition government people were looking for change.

"We we were hoping for the best and preparing for the worst," he said.

The coalition governed for two years in minority with 46 seats, while Labor held 38 seats, with nine crossbenchers, including three Greens MPs.

Both leaders have campaigned hard in vital seats in Sydney's west, where a third of NSW voters live and many electorates are on a knife edge.

Mr Perrottet was flanked by wife Helen as he voted in Beecroft in Sydney's north on Saturday and she was again a fixture as he conceded publicly.

Mr Minns voted in his ultra-marginal southern Sydney seat of Kogarah, flanked by wife Anna and their three sons, and promising a fresh vision for the state.

"Vote for a fresh start for NSW, for a team that's got a plan for essential services, for our schools and for our hospitals, who's going to stand up against privatisation and really put the people of NSW first," he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said NSW had come together to choose a better future.

"Chris Minns has been a great leader for NSW Labor," Mr Albanese told the Labor faithful.

"And after tonight, he will be a great premier for the people of NSW."

© AAP 2023