Priority 2: Grow export pathways and attract increased industry investment

Queensland has a diverse array of major manufacturing export markets, with the top five destinations being China, the United States, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand.

In 2023–24, Queensland’s manufacturing exports totalled $24.3 billion, including the following leading sub-sectors, accounting for a combined 86 per cent of manufactured exports:

$9.3b
food product exports
$8.9b
primary metal product exports
$2.6b
machinery and equipment exports

Growing our manufacturing exports

Export-led growth can be driven by unlocking new markets and explore opportunities for investment attraction through working with our partners:

seeking to grow Queensland's cohort of export-ready businesses, including First Nations manufacturing businesses
connecting export-ready businesses with international buyers and investors through a global business network to drive export and inbound investment
supporting government's international engagement program targeted at Queensland's major trading partners, to develop international relationships and new partnerships to increase opportunities for Queensland businesses
attracting international talent and skills to Queensland to support its economic growth and development.

Queensland can build on existing strengths to add resilience and grow its export-led manufacturing growth. In particular, demand for Queensland’s minerals is set to grow—adding to the manufacturing opportunities will build supply chain resilience and open up new export markets of processed and refined products and new services.

Further, Queensland has set an ambitious goal of increasing primary production to $30 billion by 2030. Significant manufacturing opportunities in value-added food, AgTech and biotech will help to grow industries and vibrant regional communities.

Government grants and funding

The Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grant Program will provide $25 million per year in grants over the next three years. This commitment provides the manufacturing industry with certainty, thereby supporting investor confidence and growth in the industry.

This program will be made available to all manufacturing businesses across Queensland that meet the criteria, whether in Roma, Cooktown, Advancetown or Kingaroy.

It is also important that there is an active focus to onshore and reshore traditional and emerging industries to support Queensland's self-reliance and to connect investment-ready businesses to venture capital schemes and other key government funding programs, like the Australian Government's National Reconstruction Fund.

Access to capital is crucial for the manufacturing industry's growth and competitiveness, particularly for technology-intensive firms and those seeking to expand into new markets and diversify their offerings.

Access to venture capital

The Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund (VCDF) is a Queensland Government program managed by the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) that seeks to accelerate, develop and enhance the venture capital industry in Queensland by:

attracting venture capital funds to establish a presence in Queensland and to increase their focus and investment in Queensland
delivering accelerator programs that expand the pool of investment-ready businesses in Queensland and increase investment opportunities for angel and venture capital investors in innovative early-stage Queensland companies
leveraging and contributing to the economic, environmental, social and governance (ESG) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) tailwinds in Queensland’s priority industries.

Priority 2 actions

We'll work with Australian Government agencies, industry, procurement and supply chain specialists, and the vocational education and training (VET) sector to achieve our priority actions.

Actions	Lead agencies
2.1 Collaborate to drive value-adding industries to help Queensland's products compete more effectively in global markets through Primary Industries Prosper 2050.	NRMMRRD DPI
2.2 Facilitate onshore, value adding processes in traditional and emerging industries to support Queensland's manufacturing sovereignty.	NRMMRRD DSDIP TIQ
2.3 Partner with Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) under Queensland’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2022–2032 to drive export-led growth by unlocking new markets and explore opportunities for investment attraction.	NRMMRRD TIQ
2.4 Strengthen engagement with major trading partners and foster new partnerships in growing markets to create new market opportunities, including harnessing opportunities for First Nations manufacturers.	NRMMRRD TIQ DWATSIPM
2.5 Promote opportunities for Queensland manufacturers under the Future Made in Australia policy and the National Reconstruction Fund.	NRMMRRD

Last updated: 15 July 2026
Last reviewed: 24 September 2025