NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has revealed he knew that John Barilaro wanted the plum role as the state's trade commissioner to the US as the pair had discussed it at a social function.
Mr Barilaro was earlier this month named the state's senior trade commissioner to the Americas, to be based in New York, with a salary package topping $500,000.
The former deputy premier's appointment prompted criticism from Labor who described it as a case of "jobs for the boys".
A parliamentary inquiry into the recruitment process will start on Wednesday.
Mr Perrottet today said that Mr Barilaro spoke to him about his intention to apply for the job at a social event.
"I speak to people socially all the time and there's always an interest in people saying I'm interested in this and I'm interested in that," the Premier said.
"From my position it was an independent process."
The Premier said he couldn't recall exactly when Mr Barilaro informed him of his intention to apply for the job but it was after he'd left politics.
"What I said to him is, it's an independent process that goes through an independent panel," Mr Perrottet said.
The ABC has contacted Mr Barilaro for comment.
The Premier said he was later told by the Trade Minister Stuart Ayres that Mr Barilaro had officially applied and was then advised in April that Mr Barilaro had been successful in securing the role.
The appointment didn't go to cabinet because the Premier said it didn't need to.
"The advice that we had received at the time was that these appointments were public sector appointments," he said.
"You have to be careful about undermining the process."
Two other trade commissioner positions had been presented to cabinet but the Premier said they "incorrectly went to cabinet".
Last week, Mr Perrottet announced a review into the recruitment process and former Public Service Commissioner Graeme Head has been tasked with undertaking the investigation.
"I do want public confidence in the process, in the decision-making," Mr Perrottet said.
"So let's allow that inquiry to take it's course."
The Premier said it was up to Mr Head whether he himself is interviewed as part of the review but added: "I don't see the relevance."
The upper house has passed a motion calling on the government to delay deploying Mr Barilaro to New York until the inquiry reports back in the coming weeks.
At the time, Mr Perrottet said that the former Nationals leader was "the best person for the job" and that he was sure he would do "a brilliant job".
The New York posting was one of six trade positions around the world tasked with spruiking the state's investment opportunities.
Before his resignation from state parliament in October, Mr Barilaro, as trade minister, was involved in setting up the international postings.
The chief executive of Investment NSW, Amy Brown, was on the interview panel that selected Mr Barilaro only months after he ceased to be her boss.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Investment NSW said there was no conflict of interest.
The Premier has said no suitable candidates were found in an initial round of interviews for the New York job.
However, documents obtained by Labor show two candidates exceeded three selection criteria and met the fourth.
Mr Perrottet has denied reports that one of those candidates, Jenny West, was offered the job before the offer was later rescinded.
"The advice I've received is [Jenny West] was not offered the job," he said.
