Queensland’s aagriculture, fisheries, and forestry industries, including first stage processing, employs 348,000 people, and generates over A$25 billion in value. 80% of Queensland’s land is used for agricultural production.
Queensland offers:
- ideal growing conditions that are counter-seasonal to the northern hemisphere, catering to international demand.
- globally respected research in tropical and subtropical agriculture, agrifood education, research and development.
- climate diversity from tropical to temperate, so that a range of agricultural products can be grown year-round.
- rigorous biosecurity systems and an advanced biosecurity plan to keep products disease and pest free.
- competitive logistics systems for rapid delivery of products to an international market.
Queensland is also home to many research centres, testing facilities, innovation hubs, networks, clusters and precincts, including:
- Food Pilot Plant and Brewlab
- SME Solutions Centre FFWCRC
- Agtech and Logistics Hub – Toowoomba
- Hinkler AgTech Hub in Bundaberg
- Industry-led clusters and networks in Qld – like FAN Sunshine Coast
- The Dutton Park, Ecosciences precinct houses researchers across the value chain to find solutions for cropping, livestock, aquaculture and horticulture industries.
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia is a $35 million dollar research facility that’s part of AgriScience Queensland’s Research Centre of Excellence.
- Gatton Smart Farm focuses on accelerating agtech adoption, harnessing post-harvest technologies to boost supply chain systems and developing climate-resistant crops.
- The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Micro-lab testing facility provides expert and confidential food microbiological testing for manufacturers and processors.
- AgEtal is an independent agricultural research and testing laboratory specialising in testing seed and grains to help investors make informed investment decisions.
- University of Queensland’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences Food Sensory Lab is a teaching, research and development unit implementing a variety of analytical sensory tests.
- University of Queensland’s Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, leads the way in agricultural research and cutting edge digital technologies.
- The Australian Research Council’s Hub for Driving Farming Productivity focuses on using artificial intelligence to increase production while preventing disease.
- The University of Southern Queensland’s Centre for Agricultural Engineering delivers research solutions that increase productivity and address global environmental management challenges.
- The Central Queensland University Precision Livestock Management team is recognised as the national leader in the field of tropical livestock research and education.
Incentives, grants and support
Funding, grants and assistance for agricultural industries is available for existing businesses or start ups. You may be able to access loans, one-off grants and partnerships. This includes the Ignite Ideas Fund, which supports start-ups and small-to-medium businesses to develop and commercialise innovative products, processes and services.
There is a One stop service for agricultural development and investment and further support through AgTech.
As Australia’s second-largest state, Queensland boasts many thriving regional centres. To grow manufacturing in these key areas, the state government launched a $30 million Regional Manufacturing Hubs program.
Hubs have been established in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Gladstone, with 2 more under development in Mackay and the Gold Coast. Each hub is a wealth of support and information for local businesses, offering:
- business development programs
- skills development and training programs
- awareness of advanced manufacturing.
The Biofutures program.
The new Industry Partnership Program will invest A$350 million over four years to continue to grow and create jobs across a number of priority industry sectors including advanced manufacturing and biofutures. This is in addition to a range of support and services available to support small businesses, and assist employers to train and upskill their employees.
Businesses of all sizes can access a variety of state government resources to support trade and investment in the agrifood sector, including growth stage capital through the Backing Queensland Business Investment Fund
Trade and Investment Queensland will also help international investors harness opportunities by opening doors to local industry, economic development organisations, and local and state government agencies.