Dominic Perrottet unveiled his long-awaited first major cabinet reshuffle on Monday, with nine MPs getting the tap on the shoulder to serve as a minister for the first time.

The cabinet, to be sworn in on Tuesday, will expand by two positions to 26 members.

"I know that every one of these new ministers ... has the experience, but more importantly, the passion and the energy to take NSW to the next level," Mr Perrottet told reporters on Monday.

The Labor Opposition slammed the new line-up as too green.

"This is an L-plate cabinet from an L-plate premier," said Deputy Opposition Leader Prue Car on Monday.

With four new women added and two dumped or stepping down, there are now seven female members of cabinet.

Mr Perrottet said he'd picked his team on merit, but acknowledged the Liberal Party needs to do better when it comes to the representation of women in parliament.

"I think increasing the female representation in the cabinet will be a great thing for our state," he said.

New portfolios include Minister for Cities (Rob Stokes), Minister for Homes (Anthony Roberts) and Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology (Alister Henskens).

As he also becomes Minister for Active Transport, Mr Stokes will be in charge of the big picture - the government's "six cities vision" - and smaller infrastructure projects like cycleways.

The Committee for Sydney thinktank welcomed the creation of the cities portfolio, calling on Mr Stokes to create the first "megaregion plan" for Greater Sydney.

"Sydney is not an island, it is part of a broader megaregion that includes Newcastle and Wollongong. This has been the missing scale of planning," said CEO Gabriel Metcalf.

"Focusing a Cities Minister at this scale opens up big opportunities to think about where people live, work and play."

Victor Dominello has handed over responsibility for gambling to Kevin Anderson, a fact bemoaned by the Alliance for Gambling Reform.

"Victor Dominello was the first Gambling Minister since 1956 to seriously push for reform of the industry - and now he's being punished for it," said the Aliance's Chief Advocate, Tim Costello.

ClubsNSW, on the other hand, welcome Mr Anderson's appointment as Minister for Hospitality and Racing.

"Kevin understands the integral role that clubs play in their communities, especially those in rural and remote areas," CEO Josh Landis said.

David Elliott is moving from police to the tricky transport portfolio, with the government battling problems with ferries and light rail and facing strikes from train staff.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole will take on the coveted police portfolio.

The Police Association of NSW said Mr Elliott had "applied himself 100 per cent to protecting the protectors".

Nationals MP Adam Marshall has been ousted, replaced as agriculture minister by Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders.

Arts Minister Don Harwin has also stepped down from the cabinet.

Mark Speakman remains attorney-general but gives responsibility for women's safety to fellow Liberal Natalie Ward, who this year chaired an inquiry into coercive controlling domestic abuse.

Manly MP James Griffin takes the environment portfolio from Matt Kean, who remains treasurer and also stays in charge of energy.

Mr Kean's work was applauded on Monday by environmental groups the Climate Council and the Nature Conservation Council.

Mr Perrottet denied his cabinet was inexperienced, arguing there was a "blend" of experience and energy.

Veteran minister Brad Hazzard keeps the health portfolio amid a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, which Mr Perrottet said was "crucial as we move to the next phase of this pandemic".

Australian Associated Press