"I have lodged application forms to nominate for Liberal Party preselection for the electorate of Davidson," Ms Ward said in a statement on Tuesday.
She is the second Liberal MLC looking to switch to the lower house at the March poll.
Last week Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes flagged he was one of a growing band of coalition MPs retiring at the election, leaving a vacancy in the northern beaches electorate of Pittwater.
Upper house MP and Pittwater resident Natasha Maclaren-Jones promptly put her hand up to run in the blue ribbon seat.
Ms Ward has been an MLC since 2017 and in May last year was appointed minster for sport, multiculturalism, seniors and veterans before becoming roads minister as well as taking on the portfolios of women's safety and the prevention of domestic and sexual violence.
"As an experienced member of cabinet, I believe that I can provide the people of Davidson a strong voice in parliament," she said.
Liberal electorates in Sydney's north are expected to face strong challenges from independents, after a swathe of 'teal' MPs were swept to office in the May federal election.
The teals moniker was used to describe independent candidates with a 'blue' Liberal background carrying an environmental green tinge at the federal election.
Meanwhile, a community forum is being held on Wednesday night at Manly Leagues Club to find a candidate to contest the Wakehurst seat held by Health Minister Brad Hazzard for more than three decades.
The meeting has been organised by the "Keep Tony Out" group that led to the ousting of former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott by independent Zali Steggal in Warringah in 2019.
"Find out why you need to vote Independent in the NSW March election," an Instagram post by the group says.
The Willoughby seat vacated by former premier Gladys Berejiklian is also seen as vulnerable after Tim James narrowly survived a challenge from independent Larissa James in a February by-election.
The electorate largely covers the same turf claimed by independent Kylea Tink in North Sydney in May.
Premier Dominic Perrottet brushed off the threat from independent challengers when asked about it by reporters on Monday, saying the backlash against the federal coalition "was based on policy".
"When it comes to integrity, when it comes to women and when it comes to climate, on those key issues the NSW government leads the way," he said.
He was also confident the party would have more diversity to choose from when preselecting candidates.
"Nominations are open and there's a lot of interest from strong women who want to run and represent their local community."
