Why Queensland
It is a desirable place to live and a strong place to invest, offering scale, certainty and access to high growth Indo-Pacific markets. As one of Australia’s fastest-growing states, Queensland has a globally connected economy built on strong foundations, natural advantages and a clear focus on productivity and innovation.
Queensland’s economy is diverse and resilient, with established strengths across resources, energy, construction, manufacturing, primary industries, tourism, defence, biomedical and services. No single sector dominates output, supporting long term stability and reducing concentration risk for investors.
There is significant opportunity for government and industry to partner on transformative projects across multiple sectors. Queensland takes a whole‑of‑government approach to supporting investment, particularly where projects are complex, innovative or of strategic importance, and where coordinated facilitation can reduce risk and accelerate delivery.
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Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
With the 2032 Games on the horizon, the world’s eyes are turning to Queensland. This once-in-a-generation opportunity is backed by a confirmed pipeline of infrastructure projects that provide investor certainty, creates jobs, delivers procurement opportunities for business and strengthens Queensland’s international profile.
Strategic Infrastructure Pipeline
Queensland is delivering an ambitious capital program over four years to 2028-29. This pipeline focuses on high-impact infrastructure that fuels economic growth, productivity and community wellbeing, and provides clear, investable opportunities across transport, energy, water, housing and social infrastructure.
Energy certainty
Queensland’s Energy Roadmap provides long-term certainty for investor by supporting affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for Queenslanders. The roadmap enables private sector investment across the energy system, including coal maintenance, gas expansion, smaller pumped hydro, storage, transmission and renewables. This approach helps de-risk projects, supports system reliability and enables investment to proceed with confidence.
Diverse and growing economy
Queensland has a vibrant, resilient and diverse economy. With powerhouse industries spanning mining and resources, energy, primary industries, construction, tourism, manufacturing and services, no single sector accounts for more than 10% of the state’s output (on average over the past decade).
High business confidence
Queensland continues to record strongest business conditions relative to other mainland states. Sustained business confidence supports ongoing investment, expansion and employment growth across the state.
Low payroll tax rates
Queensland offers one of the lowest standard payroll tax rates in Australia starting at 4.75%. Regional employers located outside the South East Queensland corner attract a lower rate, supporting investment in regional centres and priority growth areas.
Competitive property costs
Queensland provides competitive property options for businesses at all stages of growth, with availability across CBD locations, regional centres, brownfield sites and large greenfield developments.
Proximity to the Indo-Pacific
Queensland is Australia’s gateway to the high-growth markets of the Indo-Pacific. Its time zone aligns closely with major Asian economies, supporting efficient trade, investment and business operations.
Abundant natural capital
Queensland has significant natural assets, including metal and mineral resources, renewable energy potential, agricultural land, diverse water sources and globally recognised protected areas, including World Heritage Areas. These assets underpin long-term economic activity across multiple sectors.
Growing population
Queensland is home to more than 5.6 million people – more than 20% of Australia’s population.
High net interstate migration
Queensland continues to attract new residents with Australia’s highest net interstate migration for the majority of the past 40 years.
Highly skilled workforce
Queensland’s labour market remains strong, with ongoing jobs growth, a low unemployment rate and strong labour force participation. Queensland also boasts a skilled workforce across diverse industry sectors.
World-class universities and vocational education
Queensland has more than 1,100 education and training providers, including 12 universities. TAFE Queensland, the state’s main vocational training institution has more than 60 locations and delivers over 400 practical, industry-relevant courses from entry-level certificates to degrees.
Leading research institutions and industry collaboration
Queensland has a strong research and development ecosystem, with close collaboration across universities, research institutions, industry hubs and knowledge precincts to support innovation and commercialisation.
International connectivity
Queensland has international airports in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville and Toowoomba and key ports in Brisbane, Gladstone, Hay Point, Abbot Point, Townsville, Cairns and Weipa.
Government-owned infrastructure
Government-owned corporations manage key infrastructure assets including the majority of our energy generation and transmission assets, water infrastructure, rail lines and ports.
Partnerships
Through partnerships with the private sector, Queensland is delivering critical infrastructure, energy projects, housing initiatives that support economic growth and long-term community outcomes.
Sophisticated transport and communications infrastructure
Queensland benefits from a modern, multi-modal transport network and high-capacity digital infrastructure, supporting efficient movement of people, goods and data. The state is also connected to Japan and Guam via a direct undersea broadband cable, Australia’s fastest data and telecommunications transmission to Asia.
A comprehensive suite of investment support
Queensland Treasury leads a whole-of-government investment facilitation service that welcomes private sector investment in Queensland. Support is focused on projects that are complex or innovative, require coordinated government engagement, deliver significant outcomes for the state, or align with government’s priorities. The service works with investors to reduce risk, accelerate delivery and unlock opportunities.
Coordinator-General
The Coordinator-General has wide-ranging statutory powers to facilitate and fast-track major projects, including managing coordinated projects to streamline approvals. This provides investors with faster, legally supported project delivery, streamlined assessments and greater planning certainty.