The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning is changing to the Department of State Development and Infrastructure. Work is underway to update this website. Read more about the new Ministerial portfolios. Access Planning and Local Government content as changes are being progressed.

Skip to content

Queensland's regions

Queensland has boundless natural beauty and a lifestyle that’s the envy of the world. It boasts a robust, competitive and diverse economy.

Queensland has several distinct regions, each with its own character and offering something unique. Each region has advantages in key industries with significant potential to attract new investment, expand business and drive their economies forward.

Strong business and employment opportunities are present in many relatively large and economically diversified regional centres across Queensland. It’s the most populous state in Australia; in fact, Queensland is the most decentralised of all the mainland states, with 49% of the population living in the capital city, compared with 68% in other states.

We have a network of 11 regional offices that provide strategic support and regional development services throughout Queensland.  Their work is focused on three key objectives: expanding businesses, growing industry and developing our regions.

Services include:

  • providing targeted local support to create jobs, investment and a pipeline of regional projects and services to enable delivery of the government’s priority sector roadmaps and strategies
  • working closely with business, local governments and regional economic development organisations to identify distinct opportunities and advantages for industries with significant potential to attract new investment, expand business and drive local economies forward.

Contact your local regional office.

Expanding businesses

We aim to support Queensland businesses by growing their capabilities to increase participation in major project supply chains. We do this by:

Growing industry

Our regional office network delivers objectives and activities in line with the government’s priority sector roadmaps and strategies. Opportunities associated with Australian Government activities are also identified and promoted to key industries and local governments.

Opportunities include:

  • facilitating links between government funding and private investors, with the aim of increasing investment, jobs and regional growth.
  • increasing knowledge, capability and competitiveness of high-growth businesses and councils.
  • providing targeted support to ensure reliable supply and limited disruption of essential goods and services.

Developing our regions

Our regional office network works collaboratively with local stakeholders to identify and address regional issues.  This includes:

  • coordinating rapid response activities, including the Worker Transition Scheme, which provides information and support services to workers impacted by business closures or redundancy programs
  • targeted regional economic diversification and development plans
  • leading on-the-ground economic recovery work following natural disasters and major disruptions to business operations
  • supporting Remote Area Boards to undertake economic projects, services and activities.

Contact us

To find out more about regional Queensland, local economic development opportunities and the wide range of assistance available through your local regional economic development office, select your region of interest below:

Regional ServicesSouth East QueenslandSouth East Queensland NorthFraser and GympieBundabergNorth QueenslandMackay Isaac Whitsunday IsaacCentralFar North QueenslandDarling Downs South WestNorth WestSouth East Queensland West office

Last updated: 08 Jan 2024