Sovereign Industry Development Fund

Queensland is open for business. The Queensland Government is ready to work with industry on strategic partnership opportunities that will accelerate development in our priority industries of defence, biomedical and biofuels.

For these priority industries, the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund will:

  • build our state’s sovereign industry capability
  • draw on our strengths
  • grow all our regions.

About the fund

The fund will initially focus on strategic and catalytic investment partnerships.

Applications closed on 27 February 2026 for feasible, investment-ready projects that:

  • create or significantly expand a sovereign manufacturing or service capability in Queensland, including common-use infrastructure
  • accelerate development in defence, biomedical or biofuels
  • demonstrate a viable pathway to commercial sustainability
  • deliver wider benefits across the industry and Queensland.

Announcements

A competitive assessment process is ongoing with further outcomes to be announced.

  • AdvanCell has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to establish Australia’s first capability to produce Thorium 228, a critical input for next-generation cancer treatments.

    The Queensland Government’s catalytic investment will strengthen Queensland’s position as a global leader in the production of targeted alpha therapies and as one of the only jurisdictions in the world producing Thorim-228 at commercial scale.

    The project will establish new sovereign capabilities for Queensland and accelerate access to life-changing medical treatments.

  • In late April 2026, the Ampol Renewable Diesel Co Processing Facility became the first project to receive funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund.

    The Queensland Government has awarded catalytic investment to Ampol’s Lytton refinery to modify its existing facility to co process biogenic feedstocks with conventional diesel and support the growth of Queensland’s biofuels industry.

    The project will increase domestic renewable fuel capability, strengthen fuel security and contribute to emissions reduction in the transport sector.

  • Australian defence technology leader Arkeus has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to establish a new advanced manufacturing facility on the Gold Coast.

    The facility will produce AI-powered optical sensors that enable drones to see, understand and react in real time, strengthening Queensland’s capability in advanced technology and precision manufacturing within the defence space.

    The project will expand high-tech manufacturing capacity, create skilled jobs, strengthen export opportunities and further position Queensland as a hub for innovation and advanced industry.

  • New Zealand-based biomedical manufacturing organisation BioOra has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to establish its first Australian operations in Queensland.

    The investment will see BioOra establish automated CAR T-cell manufacturing capability at ENTRI, based at the Boggo Road Innovation Junction in Woolloongabba.

    CAR T-cell therapies are a form of personalised cancer treatment that use a patient’s own immune cells to target and destroy cancer.

    The project will support more efficient and scalable local production of these therapies, reducing reliance on overseas manufacturing, improving patient access to cutting-edge treatments and strengthening Queensland’s position in a rapidly growing global sector.

  • Cairncross Dockyard has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to help reactivate the site as a major maritime precinct on the Brisbane River.

    The facility will install a 400-tonne crawler crane and a 1,200 tonne crawler crane delivering the heavy-lift capability needed to undertake large-scale defence and commercial vessel maintenance, repair and sustainment activities.

    Once operational, the project will strengthen Queensland’s maritime sustainment capability, keep more ship repair and maintenance work in Queensland, and create more than 1,000 direct jobs while supporting more across manufacturing, logistics and supply chains.

  • Clinical Trials Group has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to establish a new 40+ bed Phase 1 clinical trials research facility in Eight Mile Plains.

    The purpose-built facility will be able to run 24/7 to deliver first-in-human (FIH) and early-phase clinical trials for the domestic and international biomedical industry, positioning Queensland as a market leader in the clinical trial space.

    The& project will strengthen Queensland’s end to end capability across research, clinical trials, advanced manufacturing and commercialisation.

  • Veteran-owned EPE Oceania Pty Ltd has been awarded funding under the Sovereign Industry Development Fund to establish integrated drone manufacturing capability across three locations in Brisbane, in partnership with Grabba Technologies Pty Ltd.

    The project will produce small drones for defence and security use, with upgraded facilities supporting the design, build and testing of systems and components enabled by digital infrastructure for scalable manufacturing.

    The initiative will strengthen Queensland’s defence industrial base, address a critical gap in Australia’s ability to build and support small drone systems locally, and enhance local supply chain and export opportunities while building sovereign capability.

  • HeliMods has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to deliver its Advanced Industry Precinct Expansion at Caloundra Aerodrome on the Sunshine Coast.

    The organisation is one of only a few Australian companies delivering end-to-end aerospace capability – from design and certification to advanced manufacturing, systems integration and through-life support. Queensland Government’s investment will help Helimod’s to deliver more than 10,000m2 of purpose-built, defence-grade aerospace infrastructure within a secure and integrated precinct.

    The project will expand Queensland’s sovereign defence capability through advanced aerospace engineering and manufacturing, secure more local jobs and enhance the state’s supply chain capacity.

  • Norship has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to upgrade and expand key maritime sustainment infrastructure in Cairns.

    The upgrade and expansion of Norship’s naval-certified servicing yard at Portsmith will reinforce Cairns as a key regional maintenance centre for defence operations.

    The project will strengthen Queensland’s defence industry through delivery of expanded wharf infrastructure, new Defence-certified hardstand areas, and modern workshop facilities, increasing capacity to support current and future naval fleets operating in Northern Australia.

  • QIMR Berghofer has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to expand Q-Gen Cell Therapeutics, Australia's leading cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility at Brisbane’s Herston Health Precinct.

    The investment will modernise and expand the TGA-licensed facility to establish a local viral vector manufacturing capability in Queensland. Viral vectors are essential tools in the development of advanced therapies. Establishing this capability in Queensland will support research, clinical trials and future treatments, reducing reliance on overseas supply chains.

    The project will strengthen Queensland’s biomedical manufacturing capability and improve patient access and affordability of treatment for cancer, as well as autoimmune and infectious diseases.

  • Rhino Linings has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to install new equipment at its Molendinar facility, enabling a new Australian-first local production capability.

    The upgraded manufacturing equipment will allow BattleJacket® coatings, previously imported for use on military vehicles, to be produced locally for the first time.

    The project will strengthen Queensland’s advanced manufacturing capability, support a more resilient local supply chain and enhance Australia’s ability to meet long-term defence needs.

  • Southern RNA has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to deliver a new facility capable of fulfilling the final critical stage of conversion from drug substances into patient-ready clinical products, for the first time in Queensland.

    The FlexFill project will establish Queensland’s first semi-automated sterile fill and finish platform, capable of filling up to 2,000 vials per batch and providing an advanced manufacturing solution for therapeutic developers progressing products towards clinical trials.

    The project will build Queensland’s sovereign biomedical manufacturing capabilities and support new opportunities for Queensland’s life sciences industry.

  • Wildfire Energy has been awarded funding under the Queensland Government’s Sovereign Industry Development Fund to develop a first of its kind waste-to-biofuels commercial reference plant, the Bulwer Island Biofuels Hub in Brisbane.

    The hub will transform up to 30,000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle waste each year into renewable energy products and in future bio methanol and sustainable aviation fuel.

    This investment will find a new purpose for non-recyclable feedstock waste, deliver home grown innovation at commercial scale, build Queensland’s renewable energy and fuel industry capability while creating more jobs, and future investment opportunity.

Guidelines

This fund is just one of the ways we’re helping to deliver a future-ready Queensland.

If you have any enquiries about your application, contact us:

Last updated: 20 May 2026