Grants in QLD

As part of the 2024–25 Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced the second round of the Hydrogen Headstart program to support major hydrogen production projects and grow Australia’s clean energy industry. Delivered by ARENA, round 2 aims to strengthen Australia’s position in the global hydrogen market. ARENA is now seeking input on the proposed program design through a public consultation process. Stakeholders are invited to review the Consultation Paper and provide feedback via the online forms by 31 July 2025.

The Drought Resilience Innovation Challenges Pilot Program, part of the Future Drought Fund, provides funding of up to $2 million per project. It supports initiatives that improve natural capital, enhance biodiversity, and build drought resilience in agricultural landscapes.

The Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships (ESVCLP) program provides tax benefits to encourage investment in early-stage Australian companies. Eligible venture capital funds can access flow-through tax treatment and receive tax exemptions on gains and income distributed to their investors.

The Grid Enhancing Technologies program provides businesses with up to $5 million in competitive grant funding to accelerate the uptake and deployment of grid enhancing technologies on Australia's electricity networks.

This program supports Queensland SMEs to acquire recognised certification to help them participate in new or existing supply chains in the defence, aerospace and space industries. The Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund (DAID) has been established to support Queensland SMEs who are currently (or have previously) supplied to the defence, aerospace or space sectors, to acquire internationally recognised certification(s), which will assist them in undertaking new opportunities.

The Ignite Ideas Fund offers funding for commercialising highly innovative products or services, at or beyond the minimum viable product stage. This fund serves as a companion program to the Advance Queensland Ignite Spark Program, which supports projects in advancing highly innovative products or services from prototype development through testing and validation to market readiness.

Ignite Spark Program supports Queensland's innovative enterprises to advance the development of pioneering products or services toward market readiness. This program targets small to medium-sized enterprises in Queensland with significant growth potential, aiding them in moving highly innovative products or services closer to the minimum viable product stage.

The Live Music Venue Business Grants, offered by Arts Queensland, provide funding of up to $100,000 to support live music venues with a capacity of 500 persons or less. The grants aim to help venues adapt to changing audience demands and increased operating costs by enhancing their ability to attract audiences and diversify income streams.

The Queensland Government's $2B Residential Activation Fund aims to accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure essential for initiating residential housing projects. This includes infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater management, power, and transportation (e.g., roads). 50% of the funding is allocated to regional, rural, and remote local government areas outside Southeast QLD. Round 1, with $500M available, focuses on projects ready to commence promptly.