Queensland budget promises AUD $130m boost for small business

The Queensland Government has announced a budget package including over AUD $130 million in support for small and family businesses and a $1 billion fund for digital transformation across the public sector.

The Customer Services and Small Business Budget for 2025-26 outlines new programs, grants and initiatives aimed at supporting Queensland's 495,000 small and family businesses.

This includes a $19 million Apprenticeship Pilot Program and targeted grants for construction and professional care businesses. The funding aims to address challenges such as recovery from natural disasters, staff training, and resilience against emerging economic pressures.

An additional measure is the $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program.

This program is designed to support small businesses impacted by youth crime and to respond to concerns regarding staff and community safety. The budget documents state that this programme is part of fulfilling a recent election commitment.

The Small Business Support Network, previously scheduled to conclude in June 2025, will now receive $16.8 million to extend its services through to June 2028.

The Network offers access to financial counsellors for businesses facing challenges including natural disasters, and provides wellness coaching to support business operators' mental health.

Addressing regulatory and cost pressures

In addition to current support structures, the government has highlighted its Small and Family Business First Action Statement, which targets issues such as regulatory burdens and rising insurance costs.

According to the government, the Action Statement sets out policies to reduce what it describes as a doubling in red tape and increased operating costs stemming from previous administrations' policies.

A new $1 million Small and Family Business Innovation Pathway will also be launched, aiming to directly involve small and family businesses in short-term solutions to specific challenges or to improve government service delivery.

Digital fund launched

The budget also details the launch of a Queensland-first $1 billion Queensland Government Digital Fund, set to be managed by the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business.

The fund is intended to support investment in digital and IT systems across government entities over four years, with the goal of improving service delivery, oversight, and cost management.

"We promised a fresh start for Queensland and that's exactly what this Budget delivers," Treasurer Janetzki said.

"After crises in youth crime, health, housing and cost of living, this Budget delivers the foundations for safety where you live, health services when you need them, a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and a plan for Queensland's future."

These statements indicate the government's intention to tackle issues that have impacted both local communities and economic growth in recent years, such as public safety and the cost of living.

Government approach

Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business, Steve Minnikin, commented on the government's continued focus on small businesses alongside improvements to customer services and digital initiatives.

"Queensland small and family businesses are the backbone of local communities, and we know when they thrive, the economy thrives – that's why this Budget is delivering for them," Minister Minnikin said.

"Our Small Business Support Network builds on the more than $100 million already announced through our Small and Family Business First Action Statement. "It will mean more businesses get the vital support they've been asking for to help them thrive and recover from challenges like natural disasters. "Our $1 billion Queensland Government Digital Fund will allow us greater oversight and efficiency in the implementation of key digital systems and services. "We want to see fewer ICT cost blowouts and project over-runs because we mean it when we say we have a greater respect for Queenslanders' money."

The new budget measures are expected to provide small and family businesses with increased access to support services, financial resilience tools, and government programmes intended to help them respond to both immediate challenges and longer-term economic shifts.