The Queensland government has released its Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025-2030 and Action Plan, aiming to establish a stronger, more competitive industry.
Developed in collaboration with the Queensland Manufacturing Council, the strategy aims to set a path to cut red tape, grow Queensland’s export pathways, build more resilient local supply chains, and support workforce upskilling.
Queensland has a diverse array of 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, with food products making up almost 40 per cent, totalling $9.3 billion. Primary metal products ($8.9 billion) and machinery and equipment ($2.6 billion) were the following sub-sectors, with those three industries accounting for 86 per cent of the state’s manufactured exports.
With global uncertainty and rapid technological advances cited as challenges facing the sector, the strategy outlines three key objectives for the next five years;
- driving a robust local manufacturing industry and expand export markets
- supporting productivity and growth through improving sovereign capability
- generating economic prosperity in regional and rural Queensland.
Two new funding announcements were made, with plans to provide $79.1 million over three years for the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program, and $10 million in new funding over three years for the expansion of Manufacturing Hubs in Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast – both of which are strong regions for food manufacturing.
The strategy sets a goal of increasing Queensland’s primary production to $30 billion by 2030, with significant manufacturing opportunities in value-added food, AgTech, and biotech projected to support industry growth.
Queensland Minister for Manufacturing, Dale Last, said the strategy marks a turning point for the state’s fifth largest industry.
“Queensland’s manufacturing sector is a sleeping giant, and we’re determined to awaken its full potential,” said Last.
“The Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy is about putting manufacturing back at the heart of Queensland’s economy and making sure it never gets left behind again. It will drive growth across our traditional strengths like medical, food and beverage and metals manufacturing, while developing Queensland’s capabilities across emerging industries like critical minerals processing.
“Manufacturing already adds $29 billion to our economy and supports 175,000 jobs, including 83,000 in regional Queensland. With the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy and a Government that backs the sector, those numbers will only grow.”
The Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025-2030 and Action Plan is available to view at nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au.
