Funding of up to $1.5 million to support manufacturing SMEs investing in advanced equipment, Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies and systems improving productivity, competitiveness, jobs and exports.
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What is the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing?
The Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program (TQMGP) supports Queensland-based small to medium manufacturing enterprises to improve productivity and competitiveness through investment in advanced manufacturing equipment, technology and systems.
The TQMGP is a three-year, $79.1 million program, with six funding rounds expected to open approximately every six months between 2026 and 2028.
Round 2 provides $12.5 million in grant funding through a single-stage competitive application process. Fifty per cent of the available Round 2 funding will be allocated to projects located solely in Regional Queensland.
For the purposes of the program, Regional Queensland includes all Queensland local government areas except:
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Ipswich
- Logan
- Sunshine Coast
- Moreton Bay
- Redlands.
Transforming Queensland Manufacturing level of support
Funding amount:
- Minimum grant amount: $100,000
- Maximum grant amount: $1,500,000
- Round 2 funding pool: $12.5 million
The TQMGP will reimburse up to 50% of eligible project costs, with applicants required to fund the remaining project costs.
Transforming Queensland Manufacturing important dates
- Applications close: 25 November 2026 at 1:00 pm
- Queensland Government applicant webinar: 8 October 2026, 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
GrantHelper Success 
| GrantHelper coordinated 3 successful Made in Queensland applications. MIQ was the predecessor to the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing (TQM) Grants Program. Together, these manufacturers secured approximately $3 million in grant funding. • $643,000 for OZTEC Manufacturing through Made in Queensland Round 6. • $1.1 million for an Inala-based home lifestyle products manufacturer. • $1.2 million for a Rocklea based industrial fittings machining manufacturer. Read the OZTEC case study. |
Transforming Queensland Manufacturing objectives
The objectives of the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing Grants Program are to support projects that:
- facilitate pathways for export opportunities
- reshore or onshore manufacturing activity currently undertaken interstate or overseas
- improve manufacturing productivity and competitiveness
- stimulate private sector investment and generate jobs.
Projects must demonstrate alignment with one or more of these objectives.
Projects and expenditure eligible for Transforming Queensland Manufacturing support
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects must involve the purchase of advanced manufacturing equipment with Industry 4.0 or 5.0 features, or software and technology supporting system integration and manufacturing process improvement.
Eligible project costs may include:
- advanced robotics, automation and Industry 4.0 or 5.0 manufacturing equipment
- simulation or digital twin technology
- advanced robotics or cobotics
- equipment that automates existing processes
- autonomous equipment
- augmented or virtual reality equipment
- equipment that promotes energy efficiency
- sector-relevant technologies, systems or processes that improve manufacturing system integration
- big data, artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, Internet of Things and digital twin systems
- ERP, MES and MRP systems
- carbon monitoring systems
- sustainability management software
- supply or value chain integration management systems
- Lean manufacturing, Lean audits, value stream mapping, error and downtime reduction and life cycle assessments
- servers required for advanced systems and process connectivity
- software licensing for up to 12 months where required to operate new equipment or implement an eligible system or process
- training required to implement new software or integrated technology
- cybersecurity
- freight and electrical or infrastructure upgrades specific to the new manufacturing equipment.
Freight and electrical upgrades combined cannot exceed 10% of equipment costs.
Technology, systems and processes must have a demonstrated connection to the applicant’s manufacturing process rather than general business operations.
Ineligible Expenditure
Ineligible project costs include:
- consultants or contractors that are associated entities
- project items where the applicant or an associated entity is the supplier
- strategies or advice
- modifications or extensions to existing infrastructure, or construction of new infrastructure
- general on-the-job training and supervision, training courses, training programs and further education
- staff travel and accommodation
- costs incurred or paid before execution of a Grant Agreement
- equipment, technology, systems or processes that are not considered industry-leading
- leased or hire-purchased equipment
- equipment purchased for lease or sale to a third party
- repairs, maintenance or like-for-like replacement of existing equipment, technology, systems or processes
- installation or training not demonstrated to be critical to eligible project items
- research and development activities
- legal advice
- intellectual property
- items not supported by valid quotes
- items where quotes are dated more than 12 months before the application closing date
- project contingencies or cost overruns
- vehicles and non-fixed equipment
- staff salaries or other human resources costs.
Other Transforming Queensland Manufacturing important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Transforming Queensland Manufacturing support
Eligibility requirements depend on whether the applicant is an individual business or part of a group structure.
Eligible applicants must:
- have a majority manufacturing turnover, with manufacturing defined under Division C of ANZSIC 2006 Revision 2.0
- have between 5 and 200 full-time equivalent employees; for group structures, this applies across the entire group
- have a project site in Queensland
- have an existing manufacturing presence in Queensland, including at least five FTE employees located in Queensland
- have operated within Queensland for at least three consecutive years at the application closing date; for a group structure, at least one entity within the group must meet this requirement
- be purchasing advanced manufacturing equipment with Industry 4.0 or 5.0 features, or eligible software supporting system integration
- own any equipment purchased through the project
- be registered for GST and hold an active ABN
- demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to undertake and complete the project
- not be insolvent or have owners or directors who are undischarged bankrupts
- not have an active TQMGP Grant Agreement, or be about to execute one
- not receive funding for the proposed project through another local, state or federal government grant or scheme
- accept the program’s terms and conditions through the online application process.
Federal, state and local government entities, statutory authorities, special purpose vehicles, charities and not-for-profit organisations are not eligible. Partnerships are also ineligible to apply as an individual applicant entity.
Transforming Queensland Manufacturing assessment criteria
Eligible applications containing all required information and supporting evidence will be competitively assessed against the following criteria:
1. Business capability, productivity and competitiveness – 25%
- The project demonstrates that it will build the capability and capacity of the business to increase productivity, international competitiveness and profitability.
2. Alignment with Program Objectives – 25%
- The project aligns with the Program Objectives by facilitating pathways for export opportunities and reshoring or onshoring manufacturing activity currently undertaken interstate or overseas.
3. Manufacturing jobs – 20%
- The project will support existing manufacturing jobs and create new high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Queensland.
4. Strategic alignment and project implementation – 20%
- The project implementation is appropriately planned and aligns with the applicant’s strategic direction.
- Project delivery within 12 months is preferred. Applicants proposing a longer timeframe must provide detailed reasons and supporting documentation.
5. Value for money – 10%
- The project demonstrates value for money to the local industry and Queensland.
- The applicant’s ability to fund the portion of the project not covered by the TQMGP, together with satisfactory due diligence and financial probity checks, will also be considered separately but are not included in the assessment score.
How do I get the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing support?
Round 2 uses a single-stage competitive application process.
Applicants should:
- review the program guidelines and confirm they satisfy all eligibility requirements
- prepare a project that clearly aligns with one or more program objectives
- demonstrate the expected productivity, competitiveness, profitability and employment benefits
- provide evidence that the project aligns with the business’s strategic direction
- prepare a detailed project plan, implementation schedule and risk management approach
- provide valid quotes and a detailed breakdown of eligible and ineligible project costs
- demonstrate the financial capacity to fund the applicant’s share of the project
- submit a complete application and all supporting documentation through the Queensland Government grants system.
The department anticipates assessment will take approximately 16 weeks after applications close. Applicants may be asked to clarify information relating to eligibility or due diligence and will generally have five business days to respond.
Information to prepare for the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing support
Applicants should prepare:
- information about the applicant business and any relevant group structure
- detailed written responses to all applicable application questions
- a description of the proposed project
- evidence showing how the project aligns with one or more Program Objectives
- a detailed project cost breakdown, including eligible and ineligible costs
- valid supplier quotes dated within 12 months of the application closing date
- multiple quotes per item where available
- information on project governance and procurement processes
- details of expected employment outcomes, including jobs retained, created and upskilled
- evidence showing alignment with the applicant’s strategic direction
- evidence supporting expected productivity, international competitiveness, profitability and value-for-money benefits
- a detailed project plan covering goals, objectives, scope, implementation, risks and project resources
- a project timeline or Gantt chart
- certificates of currency for relevant insurance
- evidence demonstrating how the business will finance project costs not covered by the grant
- three years of financial statements, including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow statements where available
- financial statements for both the applicant and group where the applicant is part of a group structure
- forecast financial and employment information for the next five years
- the applicant declaration.
Applying for the Transforming Queensland Manufacturing support
Applications must be submitted online through the Queensland Government’s grants system using the prescribed application form.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Transforming Queensland Manufacturing resources
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