Local economic opportunities and initiatives

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

There are programs and 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. Strategic and Catalytic Investment Partnerships is open to applications until funds are fully allocated.

    • Ignite+ Scale provides tailored support to help high-growth-potential, innovation-driven businesses grow and scale. Applications close 21 November 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. Applications close 30 June 2027.
    • Women's Career Grants offer financial assistance to unemployed women seeking secure employment. Applications close 30 June 2026.
    • Workforce Evolve Program assists employers in developing a recruitment strategy to attract and retain a new segment of jobseekers. Workforce Evolve Workshop Series 3 is providing 7 free weekly workshops to support businesses with workforce planning and managing change. Workforce Evolve Leaders Forum in Brisbane on 25 November 2025 will outline how to embed diversity and inclusion practices in business, resulting in improved profit and performance, innovation, creativity, talent management, engagement and wellbeing.
    • Industry Workforce Advisors offer industry specialisation to help businesses plan their workforce, find solutions to employment challenges, and connect with programs, incentives and funding opportunities.
    • 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. Program extended until 30 June 2027.
    • Back to Work Program provides businesses with support to employ eligible unemployed jobseekers.
    • 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.
    • 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. Closes 30 June 2026.
    • Business performance assessment tools provide interactive tools to analyse current business processes and find opportunities to improve business performance.
    • 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. ecoBiz is offering personalised coaching, training, resources and tools to help businesses save costs, reduce energy, water and waste use and manage carbon emissions- register for Somerset (Esk) for 26 November 2025.
    • ecoBiz Carbon Workshop - Ipswich will provide practical advice on how ecoBiz’s free digital platform can help businesses measure and manage their carbon emissions. Event to be held in Ipswich on 18 November 2025.
    • 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. Net Zero Economy webinar is available on 27 November 2025.
    • 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.

    • Sovereign Industry Development Fund will work with industry on strategic partnership opportunities that will accelerate industry development in priority industries – defence, biomedical and biofuels. Strategic and Catalytic Investment Partnerships is open to applications until funds are fully allocated.
    • Defence Industry Development Grants Program supported by the Australian Government 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.
    • 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 closes 30 June 2028.
    • 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.

    • ARM Hub AI Adopt Centre’s online 5-minute AI Readiness Assessment helps businesses understand their current capabilities and the next steps to leverage AI safely and responsibly.
    • 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. Tailored webinars for Queensland small businesses are available until December 2025.
    • 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.

    • Green Iron Investment Fund - National Development Stream will support the growth of Australia's green iron industry, accessible for both existing facilities and greenfield projects that can supercharge Australia’s world-leading iron ore industry. Applications close 16 January 2026.
    • Queensland Decarbonisation Hub Forum 2025 to be held in Townsville on 5–6 November 2025 featuring a strong regional focus, providing knowledge brokering and strategic partnerships, helping to position Queensland as a leader in inclusive decarbonisation.
    • Battery Breakthrough Initiative supports projects that contribute to one or more of the following program outcomes: enhance Australia’s battery manufacturing capability to improve supply chain resilience and support emissions reduction; commercialise battery manufacturing processes and technologies that can contribute to emissions reduction.
    • Solar Sunshot program supports innovative solar photovoltaic manufacturing facilities in Australia across the solar supply chain. Round 2 (Inputs to Modules and Deployment) expressions of interest closes 30 April 2026.
    • Hydrogen Headstart Round 2 will support large-scale renewable hydrogen production projects. Expressions of Interest are due 8 December 2025.
    • 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.
    • Clean Energy Innovation Fund a specialist climate technology venture capital investor, focused on emerging technologies and businesses with the potential for growth.
    • Powering the Regions Industrial Transformation Stream supports a range of industrial decarbonisation solutions, including but not limited to electrification, energy efficiency, low emissions processing and fuel switching. Round 3 is now open and will support focus areas: innovation in industrial decarbonisation, and advancing commercial deployment.

    • Landing Pads and Dealroom provide tailored advice to support technology scaleups to expand into new markets and find international investors.
    • 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.

    • Indigenous Business Australia provides free workshops to start or grow your business with topics including marketing, procurement, business planning, finance and budgeting.
    • 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. Closes 4 February 2027.
    • 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.
    • Our Country Advisory Service provides targeted support, advice, toolkits and voice to emerging and established Indigenous tourism operators, sectoral aligned businesses, and community owned organisations, helping businesses to establish and grow their tourism products and services.

    • 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 until 30 June 2028 or until funding is exhausted.
    • 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.

    • Remote Area Board Program supports Queensland’s five Remote Area Boards to deliver impactful projects that strengthen remote communities and drive economic growth. Closes 28 November 2025.
    • Strengthening Communities Multicultural Grants program provides funding towards multicultural projects that engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities, groups and individuals, and the broader community, to partner and contribute to building an inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland. Applications close 18 November 2025.
    • Secure Communities Partnership Program offers funding to support safety measures to deter crime against small and family businesses and create safer and more vibrant business areas. Round 2 applications are now open for small and family businesses to implement crime prevention measures (closing 30 January 2026), with applications for local councils opening in early 2026.
    • Celebrating Multicultural Queensland Program provides funding towards multicultural events that engage culturally and linguistically diverse communities, groups and individuals, and the broader community, to partner and contribute to building an inclusive, harmonious and united Queensland. Closes 13 December 2025.
    • Queensland Justice Reinvestment Grants will support community-based projects that help keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples out of the justice system. The grant program takes a justice reinvestment approach, funding projects that are place-based and guided by community knowledge, experience and cultural understanding. Opens 24 November 2025 and closes 21 December 2025.
    • 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.

    • Low Emissions Investment Partnerships will support the reduction of emissions from Safeguard Mechanism facilities in the metallurgical coal sector, which has a critical role in producing steel for the renewable technologies to decarbonise the state.
    • Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund supports businesses across the critical minerals supply chain, from mining stage to the development of processing facilities and/or infrastructure.
    • Collaborative Development Program supports economy-aligned opportunities to recover and accelerate the development of Queensland’s critical minerals sector. Closes 30 June 2027.
    • Collaborative exploration initiative the Collaborative Exploration Initiative (CEI) aims to encourage the discovery and development of Queensland's critical mineral deposits to help meet the growing demands of the world's technology and renewable energy sectors until June 2027.
    • Queensland's Critical Minerals Prospectus offers insights into investment ready critical minerals projects at various stages.

Queensland Government initiatives and resources

Search Queensland Government initiatives and strategies.

Category Action or strategy
Aerospace Aerospace - Queensland Government is supporting the state's rapidly developing and innovative aerospace industry, which supports both the defence and civil sectors.
Agriculture Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit assists landholders respond to and negotiate with energy industry representatives about accessing land and developing renewable energy projects.
Agriculture AgTech Roadmap aims to drive technological innovation in the sector.
Agriculture Long Paddock provides climate science resources to support the agriculture sector to improve decision-making in a variable and changing climate.
Agriculture

Primary Industries Prosper 2050 provides a 25-year blueprint for Queensland's primary industries.

Biofuels Queensland Biofuels mandate sets out minimum requirements for the sale of biobased petrol and biobased diesel.
Biofuels Biofuels - Queensland Government has committed to explore how the biofuels industry can expand, while working closely with the agricultural sector to boost its output
Biofutures Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan provides Queensland’s vision for the sector as well as providing industry insights and achievements.
Biomedical Biomedical - supporting Queensland to be a globally competitive Asia-Pacific biomedical industry hub.
Business ecoBiz works with more than 1,100 small to medium enterprises to improve resource efficiency, environmental sustainability and lower their operating costs.
ClimateClimate information including Queensland’s Climate Adaptation Strategy which provides a framework for climate resilience and climate risk management in Queensland’s communities; and information on Queensland’s Net Zero Roadmap.
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.
Construction Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority information for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Construction Infrastructure Sustainability Council conduct mandatory assessment of major project sustainability.
Defence Defence – Queensland Government is delivering a range of services supporting the growth of the sector to enable sovereign capability and national security.
Energy Battery Supply Chain Database will assist battery technology companies identify national business and supply chain opportunities to support domestic production.
Environment Queensland’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.
Innovation Innovation for a Future Economy 2022–2032 Roadmap sets out a clear direction and vision for Queensland to become a leading and sustainable innovation economy.
Innovation

Queensland Innovation Precincts and Places Strategy establishes how Queensland will achieve its goals, based on three key pillars: people, place and purpose.

Manufacturing Queensland manufacturing hubs provide a place for local manufacturing businesses to receive expert advice and support to transition to advanced manufacturing.
Resources Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan supports new economy minerals, circular economy in mining and the development of Queensland’s battery industry strategy.
ResourcesQueensland Mining Equipment, Technology and Services 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan supports growth of the sector.
Science Future Queensland Science Strategy 2024–2029 provides the framework for how we will support Queensland’s world leading scientists to develop commercial opportunities, accelerate decarbonisation, protect our natural environment, and drive innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, health and mining.
Skills and training Manufacturing Skills Queensland was established through the Future Skills Fund to support current and new manufacturing workers.
Skills and training Vocational education and training programs provide targeted investment to assist industry and employers train and upskill their current and future workforce.
Skills and training

Queensland Skills Strategy - to keep Queensland's economy powering and good jobs in reach of Queenslanders, we've developed Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024–2028.

Small business Small and Family Business First Action Statement defines our immediate priorities and the actions we are taking to put Queensland's small and family businesses first.
Tourism

Destination 2045 is Queensland’s tourism plan for delivering Queensland’s tourism future and positioning us as a global tourism leader.

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: 08 Oct 2025