About the strategy

Our objectives

The government has 3 clear objectives for the manufacturing industry in Queensland:

1. Drive a robust local manufacturing industry and expand export markets.
2. Support productivity and growth through improving sovereign capability.
3. Generate economic prosperity in regional and rural Queensland.

Our priorities

To achieve these objectives, the following priorities will be the focus of the government's actions, supported by our Manufacturing Hubs, grants and other programs:

1. Drive innovation and productivity growth.
2. Grow export pathways and attract increased industry investment.
3. Drive resilient local supply chains and maximise procurement opportunities.
4. Showcase manufacturing and support a skilled and inclusive workforce.
5. Facilitate the reduction of red tape.

Challenges and opportunities

Manufacturing contributes around $29 billion to the Queensland economy annually and supports nearly 175,000 jobs, with 48 per cent of those employed outside Greater Brisbane. Manufacturing also powers the industries that keep our communities advancing—from construction and energy to mining, transport, defence, medical and aerospace.

Events like pandemics, political unrest, and trade and supply chain disruptions have highlighted the importance of self-sufficiency, or sovereign manufacturing capability. Nationally, the manufacturing industry has been characterised by low productivity levels and a contracted investment landscape.

Despite these challenges, Queensland's manufacturers have remained resilient, and Queensland has emerged as a national leader in manufacturing growth. Our workforce has expanded and has continued to consolidate its gains, output, employment, financial performance and capital expenditure.

This shows manufacturing's unique strengths, particularly its deep connections to the state's energy and resource industries—growing our local industry and regional and rural prosperity. Further, as the custodian of state-owned and leased land, Queensland can support its manufacturing industry through levers unavailable in other jurisdictions.

The Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025–2030 and Action Plan reflects a whole-of-government effort that aligns with other Queensland Government plans and commitments. The strategy was developed with the manufacturing industry to ensure it reflects the current state of the industry and includes actions to bridge the gap to the industry of the future. It sets out how we will build on our strong foundations, realise new opportunities and deliver a globally competitive and future-ready manufacturing industry, together.

Our investment

Support for these priorities, and delivery of these objectives is underpinned by new investment, including:

• providing $79.1 million in new funding over 3 years for our Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program
• providing $10 million in new funding over 3 years for the expansion of Manufacturing Hubs in Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast
• ensuring ongoing service delivery and capability programs are delivered through our Manufacturing Hubs
• leveraging other programs such as the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund to accelerate industry development in defence, biomedical and biofuels, and the Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund to accelerate, develop and enhance the venture capital industry in Queensland.

Learn more about our support and funding.