Local economic opportunities

The Queensland State Development Regional Office Network aims to assist regional councils, industry and communities with local industry development and economic growth opportunities.

Programs and support

There are programs and support initiatives available for Queensland local governments, businesses and industry.

    • Biofutures industry information provides industry insights to support the development and manufacturing of innovative products from sustainable resources.
    • Sovereign Industry Development Fund will work with industry on strategic partnership opportunities that will accelerate industry development in priority industries – defence, biomedical and biofuels. Seeking applications from industry on significant, catalytic projects that are ready to start.

    • ATO masterclass webinar: supporting small businesses in Queensland free online session for businesses to speak with experienced tax officers from the ATO about all things taxation, held on 25 August 2025 and 26 September 2025.
    • Business Queensland provides information on starting, growing and operating a business in Queensland.
    • Business events calendar lists events (online and in-person) that provide advice and assistance to Queensland businesses.
    • Mentoring for Growth provides free mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors.
    • Female Founders Co-Investment Fund provides funding to female founded businesses to help them scale and build business capacity.
    • Workforce Evolve Program assists employers in developing a recruitment strategy to attract and retain a new segment of jobseekers.
    • Human Resources (HR) Support Grants provides small businesses with funding to help them find HR solutions for their workforce requirements.
    • Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s provides fee-free apprenticeships to businesses when they employ an existing or new apprentice or trainee who is under 25.
    • Back to Work Program provides businesses with support to employ eligible unemployed jobseekers.
    • Small Business Wellness Coaches help small business owners with unique and personal business challenges, needs and opportunities in a free one-on-one, supportive environment.
    • NewAccess for Small Business Owners provides free and confidential mental health coaching for small business owners.
    • Business performance assessment tools provide interactive tools to analyse current business processes and find opportunities to improve business performance.
    • Private Sector Pathways Program provides funding to Queensland small to medium enterprises and scaleups to help them find solutions to corporate challenges.
    • CSIRO Kick-Start provides matched funding for start-ups and small to medium enterprises to support: research of a new idea with commercial potential; development of a novel or improved product or process; testing for a novel product or material.
    • Industry Growth Program and Advisory Service supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within priority areas of value-add in resources; value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; transport; medical science; renewables and low emissions technologies; defence capability; enabling capabilities. National Reconstruction Fund provides debt finance, equity finance and guarantees for businesses with compelling proposals in these priority areas.
    • ecoBiz assists small to medium sized businesses develop an action plan to improve their resource efficiency and environmental sustainability and reduce operational costs.
    • Industry Capability Network (ICN) has launched a Net Zero Readiness Assessment online tool to support Australian manufacturers and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) climate efforts and readiness for the net zero economy.
    • Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides households and small businesses with a discount on the upfront cost of installing a small-scale solar battery.
    • Environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices provides information on what ESG is and how it can help attract customers and investors.
    • Climate Change Risk Management Tool for Small Businesses contains information on climate change, the related risks, and checklists to assess these risks.
    • Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme provides benefits for households and small businesses to help with purchase costs of small-scale renewable energy system (solar, wind or hydro) or eligible hot water system.
    • Energy Efficiency Council's tax incentives guide outlines tax incentives available to Australian businesses that can be leveraged to improve energy performance.
    • Becoming an environmentally friendly business guide outlines the benefits and process for ensuring your business is environmentally friendly, including opportunities to reduce waste and tips for saving energy and lowering energy costs.
    • Fuel Tax Credits provide businesses who have purchased fuel for their business with a credit for the tax that is included in the price of fuel.
    • Real Jobs Real Wages offers up to $15,000 for employers to hire an eligible employee into a permanent job on a part-time or full-time basis. The program gives tailored support to help businesses support people with greater challenges into secure work, open to small, medium and large employers across any industry.

    • Sovereign Industry Development Fund will work with industry on strategic partnership opportunities that will accelerate industry development in priority industries – defence, biomedical and biofuels. Seeking applications from industry on significant, catalytic projects that are ready to start.
    • Defence Industry Development Grants Program will fund small to medium enterprises to build Australia’s sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security. Four funding streams are available: Sovereign Industrial Priorities; Exports; Security; and Skilling. The closing dates for the current batches range from 30 June 2025 to 31 August 2025 depending on the stream.
    • Defence Jobs Queensland provides information on how Queensland businesses can become ‘defence-ready’, enabling them to access state, national and global defence supply chain opportunities.
    • Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program Sustainment Grants provides Australian businesses with funding to develop new or improved capabilities to win work in the sustainment phase of the Joint Strike Fighter Program.
    • Space Concession helps companies wanting to develop high technology for the space sector; encouraging the transfer of technology and expertise by providing duty-free tariff on eligible imported goods.

    • AI Industry Connection: Generative & Agentic AI for Business event in Brisbane on 12 August 2025 will demonstrate to industry the current capabilities that AI has to offer, identifying opportunities and challenges for the responsible adoption of AI such as computer vision, robotics and generative AI for operational efficiency, cost reduction, safety and innovation.
    • Small Business Technology Investment Boost allows small businesses to claim a 20% bonus deduction on technology expenditure to help digitise their business.
    • Cyber Wardens Cyber Security Training provides free online courses and learning for small business owners and employees funded by the Australian Government.
    • Digital Solutions Program helps small businesses to adapt and flourish through the adoption of digital business tools that can improve productivity, effectiveness, and aid business growth. Regional Business HQ is the Queensland delivery partner and the Regional Business HQ Online Series provides workshops on digital topics including how to use AI to improve marketing; cyber security; digital design; streamlining your business with AI.
    • Cyber security online resources are available addressing information security management and the new edition of ISO 27001, the internationally used system for keeping businesses cyber secure.
    • Free ‘Munch and Learn’ digital workshops in Kuranda and Mareeba delivered by the State Library of Queensland provide hands-on learning to help small businesses build digital capability and explore new ways to grow. Session series run weekly from 16 June 2025 to 16 March 2026.
    • Regional Tech Hub Connect Grants support organisations working to improve connectivity outcomes in rural, regional and remote communities across Australia. Micro grants of up to $3,000 are available to help local groups offer community-led initiatives that build practical knowledge around connectivity. Closes 8 August 2025.

    • Grid Enhancing Technologies program provides up to $5 million funding to accelerate the uptake and deployment of grid enhancing technologies on Australia's electricity networks. Closes 11 August 2025.
    • Solar Sunshot supports innovative solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facilities in Australia across the solar supply chain. Round 1B full applications for Solar PV Manufacturing Studies (feasibility studies and FEED) close 12 November 2025.
    • Hydrogen Headstart Round 2 will support large-scale renewable hydrogen production projects. Form to register interest is available.
    • Regional Microgrids Program supports the development and deployment of microgrid technologies across regional and remote communities in Australia. Closes 19 December 2025.
    • Advancing Renewables Program provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies.
    • Research and Development Tax Incentive helps companies innovate and grow by offsetting some of the costs of eligible research and development.
    • Product Stewardship for Oil Program provides financial benefit for businesses that recycle oil or use recycled oil in their operations.
    • Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme earns Australian carbon credit units for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent stored or avoided through adopting new practices and technologies.
    • Graphite Research and Development (R&D) Grant supports businesses to collaborate with CSIRO on innovative R&D projects, driving the development of cutting-edge technologies and processes essential for natural graphite production, especially for battery applications.
    • Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund will provide grant funding to support pre-commercial innovation, demonstration and deployment of renewable energy and low emission technologies, to support Australia’s transition to a net zero economy. Due to open over the coming months.

    • Export Finance Australia provides small to medium businesses with loans to help with the finance needed to secure export contracts or purchase orders, and bonds as security for export contracts.
    • Australian Trusted Trader provides businesses involved in importing and exporting with an accreditation to streamline and simplify customs processes.

    • First Nations Innovation Acceleration Program aims to empower mature First Nations’ businesses to pursue innovation and to scale and grow, offering grants and advisory services.
    • Small Business Development Program is designed for operating Indigenous businesses ready to scale and create community impact. Includes the provision of tailored and structured expert business support for up to 3 years, and possible loans to support growth initiatives.
    • Invoice Finance provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses with cash flow support to grow their business.
    • Business Loan Package provides loans to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait owned businesses plan their business future.
    • One Business provides Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs and business owners with access to training, support and advice to help them create pathways to participate in Queensland's innovation economy.
    • Indigenous Advancement Strategy provides funding for projects or activities which promote equal opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
    • Performance Bonds provide bonds as security to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses fulfil contracts.
    • Start-Up Finance Package provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander start-ups with access to loans to help new businesses get off the ground.
    • First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program provides free mentoring support to eligible First Nations tourism businesses.

    • Remote Communities Freight Assistance Scheme aims to reduce the amount of freight costs that are passed on to consumers of eligible goods in remote communities. Applications for Establishment Assistance close 12 January 2026. Discount Assistance and Compliance Assistance streams are open to 2028.
    • Driving the Nation Program the Trucks, Charging and Innovation focus area is currently open, supporting demonstration and deployment of heavy vehicles, charging solutions and other innovation supporting uptake of battery electric vehicles.
    • Community Road Safety Grants provides funding to deliver road safety education initiatives.

    • Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program offers funding of up to $50 million to deliver infrastructure projects within regional precincts in partnership with local stakeholders to benefit regional communities. Updated guidelines have extended the program to 30 June 2027.

    • urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP): stream one (precinct development and planning) provides up to $5 million in funding to develop a precinct idea through to investment-ready stage. Stream two (precinct delivery) provides up to $50 million in funding to deliver elements of a precinct.
    • Let’s Get it Sorted Partnership Program provides funding for groups of geographically aligned Queensland councils, or lead councils for a Queensland region, to engage a behaviour change coordinator to develop and deliver waste education and behaviour change intervention activities for households.
    • Snapshot Climate tool provides greenhouse gas emissions profiles for Australian councils (local government areas), regions, federal electorates, states and territories which are free to download.

    • Major Project Status enables strategically significant projects facing complex regulatory challenges to get extra support and coordinated approvals.

    • Innovate to Grow Agrifood and Technology free 8-week online program provides SMEs access to expert facilitators, research guidance, a self-paced learning platform, guest speakers and networking opportunities. Applications close 17 August 2025.
    • CSIRO ON Accelerate free three-month commercialisation acceleration program for researchers ready to translate their idea into a research-driven company. Closes 31 August 2025.
    • Green Metals Innovation Network will connect researchers and industry to advance the development of green metal production in Australia.
    • Graphite Research and Development Grant for projects that focus on developing innovative technologies and processes essential for natural graphite production, particularly for battery applications. Closes 30 March 2026.

Queensland Government initiatives and resources

Search Queensland Government initiatives and strategies.

Category Action or strategy
Agriculture Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit assists landholders respond to and negotiate with energy industry representatives about accessing land and developing renewable energy projects.
Agriculture Queensland Low Emissions Agriculture Roadmap 2022-2032 will assist Queensland agribusinesses and the broader supply chain to lower their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions without impacting the supply of food and fibre.
Agriculture Farm Business Resilience Planning provides access to training and assists in preparing a farm management plan.
Agriculture Farm Management Grants Program offers primary producers a 50 per cent rebate on the cost of eligible professional advice up to a maximum $2,500 to produce a Farm Business Resilience Plan for their property.
Agriculture Drought Preparedness Grants Scheme offer up to $50,000 as a co-contribution grant to assist primary producers undertake on-farm capital improvements to improve drought preparedness.
Agriculture AgTech Roadmap aims to drive technological innovation in the sector.
Agriculture Agriculture Sector Adaptation Plan highlights adaptation activities and considers gaps and barriers to climate risk management and adaptation in the sector.
Agriculture Queensland Agriculture and Food Research, Development and Extension 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan provides support for sectoral innovation and the development of agri-technology.
Business Decarbonisation of the Great Barrier Reef Island Program worked with island resorts and communities to develop operations for decarbonisation.
Business Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts Rejuvenation program delivers ‘greening’ initiatives to improve sustainability practices.
Business ecoBiz works with more than 1,100 small to medium enterprises to improve resource efficiency, environmental sustainability and lower their operating costs.
Communities Decarbonising Remote Communities program provides support to Doomadgee, Mapoon, Pormpuraaw and the Northern Peninsula Area to install renewable energy systems and reduce diesel power. This program is now completed.
Communities Strategic Blueprint for Queensland’s North-West Minerals Province has actions to facilitate the resource sector development, diversify the region’s economy to create job opportunities, and deliver integrated services for businesses and community.
Communities Communities in Transition Pilot Program is assisting six Queensland communities to navigate global transitions for long-term viability and sustainability.
Communities Queensland Climate Resilient Councils works with Queensland local governments to deliver services and products to strengthen staff and leadership skills and capacity to plan for and respond to the challenges and opportunities arising from climate change.
Communities Regional Economic Futures Fund supports communities in seizing industry development opportunities presented by global decarbonisation.
Construction Zero Net Emissions 2050 Buildings Plan includes:
  • developing building-related strategies to deliver commitments in the Queensland Climate Transition Strategy
  • develop Queensland Development Codes to provide appropriate standards for green roofs and green walls and to guide maintenance of the energy efficiency features in commercial buildings
  • drive the national agenda to improve the sustainability performance of new privately-owned dwellings and commercial buildings by updating the National Construction Code.
Construction Brisbane 2032 Climate Positive Olympic and Paralympic Games preparation including information on the sustainability strategies for a climate positive Games.
Construction Infrastructure Sustainability Council conduct mandatory assessment of major project sustainability.
Construction Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council's Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project aims to reduce stress on the electricity network, offering bill savings, supporting a least-cost pathway to a zero carbon built environment, and improving health and resilience outcomes for households and businesses.
Construction Queensland Building Plan guides policy and legislation to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable construction industry.
Energy Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Roadmap (PDF) lays out a framework to support communities and the environment and strategically connect around 22 gigawatts of new grid-scale renewable energy in 12 potential locations across Queensland.
Energy Powering Queensland Plan guides the state through the short-term and long-term challenges facing Australia's energy markets. This includes the Renewables 400 program which identified best projects to increase the state’s renewable energy supply and deliver 400 MW of new renewable energy and storage projects through the state.
Energy Solar Farm Guidelines - Renewable energy project planning and approvals is a practical guidelines for communities, landholders and project proponents and provides guidance to developers on planning, designing, and constructing solar farms in Queensland
Energy Renewable energy project planning and approvals site provides links and guidance for development of renewable energy projects (solar and wind). Includes link to Solar Farm Guidelines: Guidance for local governments (pdf)
Energy Queensland Battery Industry Strategy provides an outline of support for the development, manufacture and deployment of new energy storage technologies in Queensland.
EnergyBattery Supply Chain Database will assist battery technology companies identify national business and supply chain opportunities to support domestic production.
EnvironmentQueensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020–2030 supports the growth, better management and sustainability of the state’s protected areas, including extraordinary national parks and private protected areas.
Environment Land Restoration Fund will expand carbon farming in Queensland by supporting land management projects that not only keep carbon in the ground, but also deliver positive impacts or ‘co-benefits’ for our environment and communities.
AgricultureDrought and Climate Adaptation Program helps producers better manage drought and climate impacts, with research, development and extension projects facilitated by the Queensland Drought Mitigation Centre.
AgricultureLong Paddock provides climate science resources to support the agriculture sector to improve decision-making in a variable and changing climate.
Environment Queensland Future Climate Dashboard provides climate projection data and other risk assessment resources for the agriculture sector.
Environment Vegetation management legislation has increased the proception of high-value regrowth and remnant vegetation.
Industry developmentRegional Economic Futures Fund will support communities seize industry development opportunities presented by global decarbonisation.
Industry development Queensland Mining Equipment, Technology and Services 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan supports growth of the sector.
Industry development Queensland new-industry development strategy supports seizing the opportunities that global decarbonisation brings for Queensland.
Industry development Queensland Hydrogen Investor Toolkit - Resources to assist investors planning to undertake hydrogen project developments in Queensland. Hydrogen industry development site provides information of the Queensland Hydrogen Strategy and development fund
Manufacturing Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan provides an integrated approach to positioning Queensland as a leader in advanced manufacturing and to capture the opportunities associated with Industry 4.0.
Manufacturing Queensland manufacturing hubs provide a place for local manufacturing businesses to receive expert advice and support to transition to advanced manufacturing.
Renewable energy developmentQueensland Energy and Jobs Plan: Community Partnerships and Enabling Frameworks provides an update of the initiatives and support for Queensland’s energy transformation.
Renewable energy developmentQueensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund Designed to increase Government Owned Corporations' ownership of commercial renewable energy and hydrogen projects (and supporting infrastructure). Projects may be in partnership with private sector companies.
Renewable energy development ARENA Microgrid Pilots program supports pilot demonstrations of microgrid technologies in rural and regional Australia. Supports feasible projects that demonstrate solutions to technical, regulatory or commercial barriers to the deployment of microgrid technologies.
Renewable energy developmentRenewable energy project planning and approvals site provides links and guidance for development of renewable energy projects (solar and wind). Includes link to Solar Farm Guidelines: Guidance for local governments.
Renewable energy developmentClimate action for Business and Industry provides a guide to actions a business can take to increase profitability and capitalise on future opportunities and become more sustainable and manage climate risk
Renewable energy developmentQueensland Hydrogen Industry Strategy and Hydrogen Taskforce to support the development, production, consumption and export of hydrogen from Queensland.
Renewable energy development Implementing the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (QEJP) which will include:
Renewable energy developmentQueensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan provides Queensland’s vision for the sector as well as providing industry insights and achievements.
Renewable energy developmentQueensland Biofuels mandate sets out minimum requirements for the sale of biobased petrol and biobased diesel.
Resources Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan supports new economy minerals, circular economy in mining and the development of Queensland’s battery industry strategy.
Resources New Economy Minerals Initiative:
  • invests in exploration activities to improve the scientific understanding of geosciences data needed by industry to locate and define mineral deposits
  • includes a partnership with UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute to develop sustainable methods of extracting rare earth elements.
  • includes how circular economy principles can be applied in mining.
Resources Bowen Basin Gas Pipeline concept study to reduce fugitive emissions in the coal sector.
Resources Collaborative Exploration Initiative provides funding for new exploration programs.
Resources Queensland Mining Equipment, Technology and Services 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan provides a vision for the sector’s growth, with a focus on collaboration and opportunities to bring innovative ideas to market, with $8 million worth of initiatives.
Resources Queensland Resource Industry Development Plan provides a vision to shift the resources industry into recognising the global shift to a low carbon economy.
Skills and trainingTradies for the Transition (PDF) is Queensland’s renewable energy attraction and retention strategy.
Skills and trainingHydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032 prepares Queenslanders to participate in hydrogen opportunities and ensure the industry can access the workers it needs.
Skills and trainingAdvanced Manufacturing Skills: A Skills, Training and Workforce Development Strategy for the Advanced Manufacturing Industry in Queensland supports the development workforce skills in the sector.
Skills and trainingManufacturing Skills Queensland was established through the Future Skills Fund to support current and new manufacturing workers.
Skills and trainingAdvanced Manufacturing Gateway to Industry Schools project. Partnership with the Queensland Manufacturing Institute.
Skills and training Queensland's Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap provides direction to further develop Queensland's highly skilled workforce to support the continued growth of the state's clean energy industry.
Skills and trainingVocational education and training programs provide targeted investment to assist industry and employers train and upskill their current and future workforce.
Transport Zero Emission Vehicle strategy and Action Plan sets out initiatives to be progressed over the next 2 years to increase zero emission vehicle uptake across Queensland communities, businesses, and government fleets.
Transport The Future is Electric: Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Strategy will prepare for a transition to a greater uptake of EVs ensuring that Queensland is in the best position to capture the benefits and opportunities that these vehicles bring.
Transport Queensland Electric Super Highway connects electric vehicle drivers across our state and includes fast charging locations to a range of coastal and inland locations.
Transport Climate Change Risk Assessments for Infrastructure Projects expansion to improve the sustainability and climate resilience of transport infrastructure, through reducing whole-of-life emissions.
Transport Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure outlines the principals for planning electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Priority Development Areas in Qld, to support the selection of the right type of infrastructure at the right location.

Contact us

Get in touch with the State Development regional offices to learn about the economic opportunities available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The State Development regional offices can:

    • be a main point of contact within government for regional opportunities
    • ensure regional stakeholders are kept informed on current government programs, policies and other initiatives
    • provide a mechanism to engage with the regions on key issues and coordinate potential whole of government support
    • facilitate communication between local stakeholders, agencies and all tiers of government
    • identify resources, policy changes and regulatory frameworks required to seize opportunities and manage risks
    • identify major projects and diversification opportunities and provide investment facilitation and local supply chain support

  • This webpage is updated regularly as new information becomes available, providing details of current funding programs, government initiatives and case studies.  In addition the State Development regional office for your region can provide you with specific support to navigate the information available.

Further resources

Last updated: 10 Jul 2025