Manufacturing Hubs to provide capability and workforce programs under new plan

The Queensland Government has released a five-year plan to drive productivity and innovation in the state’s manufacturing sector and expand access to global markets.

The Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025-30 proposes frameworks to cut red tape, grow Queensland’s export pathways, build more resilient local supply chains and support workforce upskilling, the state government says.

Queensland Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said the strategy marks a turning point for the industry, which is Queensland’s fifth largest.

“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.,” he says

“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.”

The strategy was developed in collaboration with the recently-established Queensland Manufacturing Council, providing a panel of manufacturing leaders to offer advice on new government initiatives.

Included in the strategy is a commitment to help connect export-ready businesses to international buyers and investors and to attract international talent and skills to the state.

Queensland’s manufacturing exports totalled $24.3 billion in 2023-34, with primary metal products ($8.9 billion) and machinery and equipment ($6.2 billion) among the top sub-sectors.

Queensland Manufacturing Advisory Council member and GLT Trailers chief executive Shay Chalmers says the strategy will help the state’s manufacturing sector to seize new opportunities.

“I commend the Queensland Government for working with the sector to produce a Strategy that will help our manufacturers not only grow but innovate,” she says.

The release of the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Strategy 2025-30 follows a state budget announcement earlier this year of a pool of funds to be invested in promoting manufacturing in the state.

Among those was a $79.1 million investment over three years in the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program, which the government says will help manufacturers adopt advanced technologies, boost productivity and create high-skilled jobs.

The government will further invest $10 million investment in establishing manufacturing hubs in Toowoomba and on the Sunshine Coast – also to be funded over three years, which are expected to allow more “boots on the ground” as well as additional capability and workforce programs.

The strategy says the hubs will work with government to monitor supply chain vulnerabilities, as well as working with partners to conduct early market research on supply chains, dependence on imports and capability gaps.

They will also host workshops on “Lean Manufacturing” and manufacturing leader round tables which the strategy says will provide a platform to discuss red tape and any barriers to efficiency and productivity.