Overview of the ‘Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025-30’

Authors: Shaun van Dijk, Siobhan Malone

Queensland’s manufacturing industry contributes $29 billion annually to the Queensland economy, making it the 5th highest contributing industry in Queensland, taking up 20% of Australia’s manufacturing share. It also employs 175,000 people, with 48% located outside of Greater Brisbane. This sector, through upstream and downstream supply chains, underpins the state’s key wealth generating areas. In late September, the Crisafulli LNP State Government announced its Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025–30. This represents the first major announcement from the new Queensland State Government in relation to how it will support the manufacturing sector over the next 5 years.

A Strategy for Growth and Resilience

Developed in partnership with the Queensland Manufacturing Advisory Council, the strategy responds to key challenges such as global supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, workforce shortages, and the rapid pace of technological change. The three key objectives of the strategy are to:

1. Drive a robust local manufacturing industry and expand export markets,

2. Support productivity and growth through improving sovereign capability, and

3. Generate economic prosperity in regional and rural Queensland.

QLD Manufacturing Strategy Priorities

These three key objectives will be addressed through the manufacturing strategies announced by the State Government which focus on five specific priorities.

1. Drive Innovation and Productivity Growth
   Support manufacturers to build awareness of and adopt new, advanced technologies such as automation, AI, and 3D printing to boost efficiency, reduce waste, and translate Queensland’s research and ideas into commercial success.

2. Grow Export Pathways and Attract Investment
   Strengthen export markets and investment attraction by helping businesses become export-ready, connect with global buyers and investors, and expand value-added manufacturing opportunities across key sectors like food, resources, and defence.

3. Drive Resilient Local Supply Chains and Maximise Procurement Opportunities
   Build stronger and more self-reliant supply chains to protect against disruptions and ensure Queensland manufacturers are positioned to compete for government and major project contracts, including those linked to Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

4. Showcase Manufacturing and Support a Skilled and Inclusive Workforce
   Promote manufacturing as a dynamic, technology-driven career path and strengthen workforce participation through initiatives such as the Women in Manufacturing Program, new training pathways, and partnerships with schools, TAFE, and universities.

5. Facilitate Reduction of Red Tape
   Simplify regulatory processes and reduce administrative barriers for manufacturers through Lean Manufacturing programs and ongoing collaboration between industry and government to boost competitiveness and productivity.

Importantly, there is also a clear prioritisation of key sectors that are expected to help strengthen the foundation of globally competitive and future-ready Queensland manufacturing industry, including:

• critical minerals and resources

• defence and aerospace

• medical

• food and beverages

• metal, machinery and transport (incl. rail)

• modern methods of construction, and

• Energy.

Specific Funding Announcements

The new Manufacturing Strategy includes the announcement of new manufacturing focused grants, as well as expanded funding and support programs. Key highlights include:

• $79.1 million for a new fund, the ‘Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program’, with funding available over the next three years to boost technology adoption, productivity and high-skilled job creation.

• $10 million to expand the existing regionally focused Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program with new hubs to be established in Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast, which will complement existing hubs in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton, and ensure ongoing service and capability program delivery.

• A plan to leverage other programs, such as the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund, to accelerate growth in a revised set of priority industries including defence, biofuels and biomedical sectors.

• Dedicated initiatives planned to build a skilled and inclusive workforce, with programs such as the Queensland Government’s Women in Manufacturing Program promoting underrepresented cohorts in manufacturing, upskilling and pathways into high-tech roles.

What This Means for Queensland Manufacturers

For small and medium manufacturers, the strategy announcement has identified several clear and immediate opportunities, in particular through new grant programs and industry-led hubs that offer practical and financial support for your manufacturing operations to modernise and innovate.

For larger manufacturers, the focus on export pathways, venture capital access, and local procurement creates new incentives to invest and scale in Queensland.

In summary, the headline is that the new Crisafulli LNP Government has an intention to prioritise support for Queensland manufacturing and push the state forward as a manufacturing powerhouse. Their plan focuses on support for innovation, advanced technology adoption, training & skills development, and export-readiness, whilst simplifying regulatory processes.

Whilst the 5-year strategy and key announcements are modest and hardly ground-breaking, they should be viewed at the very least as an encouraging first step by the Crisafulli Government to advance Queensland’s manufacturing industry.

If you would like to talk more about how we can help you foster your ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out.