The minor party recorded a 3.1 per cent jump in votes in the coastal Illawarra electorate, with its candidate Cath Blakey out-polling Liberal Michelle Blicavs in the traditional Green strongholds of Austinmer and Wombarra.

The Greens picked up 30.1 per cent of first preference votes at Austinmer and 27.9 per cent at Wombarra.

Elsewhere, the Greens saw big swings in its favour at polling booths in the traditionally Labor-voting southern part of the electorate.

The party had a 6.5 per cent swing towards it at Warrawong Public School and a positive shift of 6.2 per cent at Coniston.

Ms Blakey, who was number one on the Cunningham ballot paper, said the Greens “broke new ground this election”.

The party joined forces with the South Coast Labour Council, the Australian Workers Union (AWU) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) to campaign for 100 per cent Australian steel in government infrastructure projects.

Ms Blakey said the strong showing could be attributed to the“Save Our Steel” campaign. 

“The result reflects how the Greens are winning the confidence of more locals,” she said.

“As well as our work on saving the steel industry, our strong track record supporting workers’ rights, public education, public health, social equity and action on climate change clearly resonates with many people living in the Illawarra.”