The $678 million package includes extending the existing $5000 payroll tax rebate for companies for another four years and a new incentive payment of $2000 for each employee a small business takes on.

Mr Baird said he would also introduce $1,000 scholarships for 25,000 TAFE students.

As well, he pledged $32 million to create a $190 million "war chest" to attract businesses from interstate and overseas to establish themselves in NSW.

The Premier launched the campaign in front of a small audience of supporters at the City Recital Hall in the Sydney CBD, including prime minister Tony Abbott and former Prime Minister John Howard and former NSW Premiers Barry O'Farrell, John Fahey and Nick Greiner. Mr Abbott did not address the launch.

He used the occasion to announce $20 million to give an extra 45,000 children access to before and after school care at existing government and non government schools.

There was also a $23 million commitment to provide additional support for mothers suffering post natal depression.

Mr Baird announced a re-elected Coalition government would begin the National Disability Insurance Scheme a year ahead of schedule.

Children aged under 18 in the Penrith and Blue Mountains area would be included in the scheme this year as the federal government had agreed to bring forward funding.

An NDIS information office would be opened in Penrith in July.

Mr Baird also said a Coalition government would scrap the $37.70 co-payment for specialist drugs to treat illnesses such as cancer, Alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis.

As well, he said low income NSW households would also be eligible for a $90 rebate on their gas bill by extending the existing rebate for electricity bills.

Mr Baird said the forthcoming election was "less of an election and more of an opportunity".

He described the opposition from Labor and he union movement to his plan to partially privatise the state's electricity network as "one of the biggest, most disgraceful scare campaigns ever seen in NSW".

He told the audience that his plan was a lease, not a sale, which would use existing assets to build new ones and that "at the end of the day we will own both".

He said it was "our guarantee" that electricity prices would be lower if the transaction proceeds.

He said he had faith that "the good people of NSW can see through the lies".

He claimed the scare campaign meant nothing about Labor had changed despite its new leader Luke Foley.

Mr Baird spoke of the Coalition government's achievements since its election in 2011, including an increase in housing approvals, completion of the south west rail link, the start of the north west rail link and duplication of the Pacific Highway.

He said the new convention centre at Darling Harbour was underway as was the $15 billion motorway and highlighted the success of the Opal public transport smart card.

"We have achieved more in four years than was achieved in the previous 16 years under Labor," Mr Baird said.

He urged voters to not give preferences at the election after Labor and the Greens struck a preference deal.

During his speech, Mr Baird described Mr Abbott - whose political unpopularity is seen as a disadvantage to the Coalition's reelection chances - as "a friend of mine".

Earlier, deputy Premier Troy Grant said Mr Baird deserved re-election because he "has all of our backs".

Deputy Liberal leader and transport minister Gladys Berejiklian spoke of Mr Baird's "contagious enthusiasm and energy".

She said the election result would determine the state's future not just for the next four years but the next 40 years.

The audience was shown a video of testimonials in support of Mr Baird from friends and colleagues.

They included former Transfield chief Tony Shepherd who is now chairman of the motorway delivery authority and director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Elizabeth Ann Macgregor.