Funding to support critical minerals mining, processing, infrastructure and advanced materials in Queensland through investments of up to $30 million for growth-stage businesses and jobs.
On this page you will find
What is the Queensland Critical Minerals Fund (QCMF)?
The Queensland Critical Minerals Fund (QCMF) is a Queensland Government-backed investment initiative managed by QIC to help businesses across the critical minerals supply chain scale and deliver long-term economic benefits to Queensland.
The fund supports projects ranging from critical minerals mining and refining to processing facilities, private infrastructure, battery technology and advanced materials. It provides commercial investment rather than a conventional non-repayable grant.
- Businesses undertaking critical minerals mining or refining in Queensland.
- Businesses manufacturing advanced materials using critical minerals in Queensland.
- Growth-stage businesses developing products, processes or processing capacity.
- Critical minerals businesses scaling operations and creating Queensland jobs.
Queensland Critical Minerals Fund level of support
Funding amount
- Minimum investment amount: not specified.
- Maximum investment amount: up to $30 million per investment.
- The fund offers flexible commercial investment through equity, debt, royalties or hybrid structures. This is not a standard grant.
- The QCMF has expanded to a total fund size of A$250 million, as reported by QIC for the 2026–27 Queensland State Budget.
Co-contribution requirements
- Minimum applicant co-contribution: not specified.
- No fixed co-contribution percentage or amount is published. Investment and any other financing commitments depend on the proposed commercial structure.
Queensland Critical Minerals Fund objectives
- Strengthen Queensland’s role in secure global critical minerals supply chains.
- Drive long-term economic growth and create jobs in Queensland.
- Accelerate mining, refining and processing of critical minerals.
- Support private infrastructure needed for critical minerals industry growth.
- Grow advanced materials and battery-related technologies and manufacturing.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Queensland Critical Minerals Fund support
Investment projects and activities
- Development and expansion of critical minerals mining projects in Queensland.
- Critical minerals refining and downstream processing facilities.
- Private infrastructure that enables growth in Queensland’s critical minerals sector.
- Development and manufacturing of critical minerals products, battery technologies and advanced materials.
- Product or process development by critical minerals and advanced materials businesses.
- Scale-up activities by emerging businesses with relevant critical minerals operations.
Investment focus
- Miners with proven JORC-compliant resources requiring support through early development stages to the development phase.
- Critical minerals and advanced materials businesses with product and/or process development.
- Emerging businesses in the critical minerals and advanced materials sectors ramping up scale-up activities.
- Investment may be structured as equity, debt, royalties or a hybrid arrangement.
Ineligible projects and expenditure
QIC does not publish a formal list of ineligible projects, excluded expenditure or reimbursable cost categories on the fund page. Proposals are considered for commercial investment rather than expense reimbursement.
Other Queensland Critical Minerals Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Queensland Critical Minerals Fund support
- Growth-stage businesses operating in or developing Queensland’s critical minerals supply chain.
- Miners with proven JORC-compliant mineral resources progressing towards development.
- Critical minerals refining, processing, battery technology and advanced materials businesses.
- Emerging critical minerals and advanced materials businesses planning to scale up in Queensland.
A Queensland head office is not required. The published webpage does not set out detailed turnover, ownership or minimum business-size thresholds.
Queensland Critical Minerals Fund assessment criteria
QIC does not publish formal assessment criteria, percentage weightings or a numerical scoring rubric on the fund page. The following are non-official project-alignment considerations drawn from QIC’s published investment focus.
1. Queensland economic impact
- Demonstrate potential economic growth and long-term benefits in Queensland.
- Explain the number and nature of Queensland-based jobs expected.
2. Critical minerals supply-chain contribution
- Describe mining, refining, processing, manufacturing or infrastructure activities in Queensland.
- Show the role of the project in strengthening critical minerals supply chains.
3. Resource or technology maturity
- For mining projects, describe proven JORC-compliant resources and development progress.
- For advanced materials projects, explain product or process development progress.
4. Growth and investment readiness
- Outline scale-up plans, investment needs, project milestones and delivery capability.
- Describe the proposed investment structure and likely commercial pathway.
5. Infrastructure and industry benefits
- Explain any private infrastructure that supports wider critical minerals industry growth.
- Identify relevant partners and anticipated long-term industry benefits.
These considerations are not an official scoring framework. QIC may undertake its own commercial investment review and due diligence; detailed requirements are not specified on the webpage.
How do I get Queensland Critical Minerals Fund support?
Businesses should demonstrate:
- How the project will deliver economic growth in Queensland.
- How the project will create Queensland-based jobs.
- A clear link to critical minerals mining, refining, processing or advanced materials manufacturing in Queensland.
- A commercially credible growth-stage business and plan to scale.
- The role of any supporting private sector infrastructure.
- For mining projects, evidence of proven JORC-compliant resources where relevant.
- The proposed investment requirement and potential equity, debt, royalty or hybrid structure.
- Delivery readiness, milestones, management capability and anticipated long-term Queensland benefits.
QIC is inviting expressions of interest through the QCMF Investment Program application link on its official webpage.
Information to prepare for the Queensland Critical Minerals Fund application
- Company overview, ownership details and key contact information.
- Project summary, Queensland location and critical minerals supply-chain role.
- Business plan, growth strategy, project stages and indicative delivery timetable.
- Investment amount sought, proposed use of capital and preferred commercial structure.
- Financial forecasts, funding sources and supporting commercial assumptions.
- Projected Queensland employment and broader economic benefits.
- JORC-compliant resource evidence for relevant mining proposals.
- Technical, product or process development evidence, approvals and infrastructure needs.
These are practical preparation recommendations, not a published compulsory document checklist. Applicants should follow any instructions in QIC’s expression of interest form.
Applying for Queensland Critical Minerals Fund support
Submit an expression of interest using the “QCMF Investment Program” link on the official QIC Queensland Critical Minerals Fund webpage.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Queensland Critical Minerals Fund resources
Is Your Business Eligible for This Government Grant?
GrantHelper can assist with your organisation’s grant application, no matter what stage of the funding journey you’re at.
Four Ways GrantHelper Helps Businesses Secure Government Funding
- Grant Funding Readiness
Assess your business’s current position, identify gaps, and ensure your project is properly aligned to pursue competitive government grant funding — so you can pursue funding with confidence. - Grant Strategy Session
Identify the right grant opportunities, evaluate your project against funding priorities, and map out a clear path to securing government funding — so you can target the best funding opportunities. - Grant Funding Accelerator
A tailored program where we prepare the key components of a compelling grant application — so you can stay focused on running your business while we build your submission step-by-step. - Grant Application Writing
Our expert GrantHelper develops clear, persuasive responses that present your project clearly and persuasively — so your application has the best chance of success.
Ready to get started?
Not Ready to Enquire Yet?
We understand that winning grants takes time—something many business owners and directors don’t have. That’s why we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our Insights showcase some of the grant-winning methods we employ at GrantHelper, and they will help you create a stronger grant application.
Explore our Insights page, or our Podcasts page, where you’ll find expert advice, actionable tips, and time-saving strategies to help you get grant-ready.
Alternatively, check out some of the Clients we’ve helped and what they had to say about us.
