Funding opportunities for Queensland manufacturers: programs to have on your radar
Author/s: Shaun van Dijk, Jacqueline Heighway
For Queensland SME manufacturers considering investments in productivity, advanced technology, sustainability, decarbonisation or growth, there are several funding and support programs you should have on the radar. Here is an overview of the key opportunities that could provide much-needed support.
The best time to consider non-dilutive funding opportunities is often before your project is fully scoped or committed, giving you flexibility to align your project with investment and grant opportunities as they become available. Below are some of the key programs that Queensland-based SMEs operating in manufacturing should be aware of and consider pursuing.
1. Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) SME Industrial Decarbonisation Fund
Open
The AMGC SME Industrial Decarbonisation Fund provides up to 50% of matched grants of $200,000 to $500,000 for eligible Australian SME manufacturers investing in projects that reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
The current funding opportunity is targeted towards three priority areas:
Surface treatment
Process steam
Metals processing
Potential triggers for your project’s alignment with this opportunity include investment in new equipment, technologies and process improvements that deliver lower energy costs, improved operational efficiency, reduced emissions, and stronger sustainability credentials, and may deliver both an emissions-reduction and commercial benefit.
Applications opened July 2026 and will stay open until 31 Dec 2027, or until the funding pool of $10M has been exhausted.
2. Sustainability Manufacturing Benchmark Program
Open
For Queensland manufacturers considering making transformations to their energy and water utilisation, waste management, and carbon emissions, but are unsure what upgrades, projects, or capital investment is required to address these, the Sustainability Manufacturing Benchmark Program offers substantial subsidies towards the cost of assessing a manufacturer's current sustainability performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
The process can help manufacturers better understand their environmental performance, identify practical improvement opportunities, and develop a roadmap for future sustainability investments. The Program may also help businesses become better prepared for other grant programs such as the AMGC SME Industrial Decarbonisation Fund, assisting businesses to scope the environmental and business cases for upgrades.
The program is open in perpetuity, with the department subsidising over half of the costs to conduct the benchmark, with the actual business co-contribution cost <$3000, with the actual figure dependent on the number of employees.
3. Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program (TQMGP) Round 2
Opening soon
Queensland manufacturers planning significant capital investment or business transformation projects should consider the TQMGP, the major QLD manufacturing funding vehicle replacing the prior Made in Queensland grant program.
$79.1M in funding has been committed to be distributed in six funding rounds over three years, with Round 1 closing in April 2026. Round 2 of the TQMGP is expected to offer matched grants of up to $1.5 million from a $12.5 million pool to support Queensland-based SME manufacturers undertaking transformational projects.
Projects may involve investment in areas such as:
Advanced manufacturing technologies
Automation and digitalisation
New or improved production capabilities
Productivity and efficiency improvements
Business transformation and capability development.
For manufacturers already considering a significant equipment, technology or process investment, now is a good time to start assessing potential projects and preparing for the upcoming round.
4. Catalyst Manufacturing Benchmark Program
Open
The Catalyst Manufacturing Benchmark Program provides eligible manufacturers with fully subsidised benchmarking study against comparable Australian and international manufacturers.
This can provide valuable insights into areas such as operational performance, productivity and capability, helping businesses identify where they are performing strongly and where there may be opportunities for improvement.
For manufacturers considering future transformation projects, benchmarking can also help establish a stronger evidence base for investment decisions.
The program is open in perpetuity and the department fully subsidises this program for eligible businesses, so there is no cost.
5. Other opportunities
There are also several broader programs and support mechanisms that may be relevant to manufacturers, depending on the sector and the proposed project:
Queensland Manufacturing Hubs — Queensland's network of regional manufacturing hubs provides manufacturers with access to one-on-one assistance, subsidised training and workshops, networking and other capability-building support.
CSIRO Regional University Industry Collaboration Program — matched funding of up to $50,000 to undertake an R&D project with a regional Queensland university, providing a relatively accessible pathway for businesses seeking to test or progress an innovative idea through collaborative research.
ARENA funding programs — manufacturers pursuing larger clean-energy, industrial decarbonisation or clean-technology projects should also continue to monitor funding opportunities available through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
What should manufacturers be doing now?
The common theme across these programs is that government funding remains an important mechanism to encourage manufacturers to invest in productivity, technology adoption, sustainability and decarbonisation.
Manufacturers considering significant investments over the next 6–18 months should therefore consider their funding options early. We recommend regularly reviewing your planned capital expenditure and improvement pipeline to identify projects that could deliver measurable improvements in productivity, energy efficiency, emissions, manufacturing capability or competitiveness.
At Intellect Labs, we work with innovative Australian businesses to map available government funding opportunities, assess project and eligibility alignment, and manage competitive grant applications.
If your business is considering a manufacturing investment or transformation project and would like to understand which programs may be relevant, please reach out.