Barry O'Farrell will on Tuesday become the third sitting NSW premier to give evidence at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
The Liberal leader will join the likes of former Liberal premier Nick Greiner and long-time Labor leader Bob Carr to take to the witness box at the corruption watchdog.
The ICAC has reached the final week of a probe into Australian Water Holdings (AWH) and allegations the firm corruptly billed Sydney Water for lavish salaries, limousine travel and luxury hotel stays.
Mr O'Farrell is expected to be quizzed about hs involvement with AWH and its former chief executive and Liberal fundraiser Nick Di Girolamo.
Counsel assisting Geoffrey Watson SC told the inquiry on Monday he had been "in two minds" as to whether Mr O'Farrell should be called.
"(However) there have been things that have developed that make me think that he should be called, or that he must be called," he said.
The public inquiry has already heard testimony from Mr O'Farrell's former chief-of-staff Peter McConnell, Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos, three former NSW premiers and ex-Labor MP Eddie Obeid, whose family allegedly had a secret stake in AWH.
"I will not pre-empt any of the matters or any of the questions it may put to me," Mr O'Farrell said in a statement.
"I will answer questions after the ICAC hearing tomorrow."
Mr Greiner, who helped the establish the ICAC, appeared before the commission in 1992.
He was found to have acted corruptly over his appointment of the former Liberal MP Terry Metherell to a senior public service job.
Mr Greiner quit after the ICAC finding but was exonerated by the Supreme Court.
Mr Carr was the second serving premier to appear before the ICAC, fronting as a witness in a 1996 inquiry.
Mr O'Farrell earlier this year faced a series of questions in parliament about his dealings with Mr Di Girolamo regarding the controversial Wallarah 2 coal mine in the state's Central Coast.
Labor accused the premier of breaking the ministerial code of conduct, after he in February admitted to a "dropping in" on a meeting attended by the Liberal donor before he was on the government's official list of lobbyists.
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