More than 7,200 Queenslanders will receive support to secure new jobs or upskill under the latest round of the Workforce Connect Fund. The Queensland Government will award A$6.84 million to nine projects aimed at addressing critical labour shortages, according to the Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory.
The funding is expected to support close to 2,000 employers across key sectors including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, community services and tourism.
The projects are designed to strengthen workforce participation, improve employee retention and create long-term employment pathways, particularly in regional Queensland.
Funding targets critical workforce gaps
The latest investment forms part of the Crisafulli Government's strategy to tackle persistent skills shortages across priority industries.
As reported on the government website, the selected projects focus on innovative workforce attraction, retention and participation initiatives while creating greater opportunities for underrepresented groups and improving employment outcomes across regional communities.
One of the flagship initiatives will establish a digital workforce platform that connects employers, workers and accommodation providers, making it easier for seasonal tourism and hospitality workers to move between regional destinations such as the Whitsundays, Far North Queensland and the Sunshine Coast.
The platform will also offer relocation payments and travel vouchers to help workers take up employment where demand is highest.
Ministers comments
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said, “Labor’s legacy is a skilled worker shortage which is being felt across just about every industry and every corner of the state.”
“The Crisafulli Government is continuing to help those industries by getting Queenslanders into the jobs that are needed to keep the state moving.
“One of the focuses of the Workforce Connect Fund is providing pathways for underrepresented cohorts which is exactly what the projects selected in this round will achieve.”
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler pointed out the new programme responds directly to industry concerns around workforce mobility and staff accommodation.
“It has been shaped by consistent feedback from our members, who have told us that workforce mobility and access to affordable staff accommodation remain two of the biggest barriers to growing their businesses," Wheeler said.
"We're pleased the Queensland Government has backed an initiative that has been informed by industry and designed for industry. It demonstrates what can be achieved when government and the tourism sector work together to address the real challenges facing businesses and support the long-term growth of Queensland's visitor economy."
Projects receiving Workforce Connect Fund support
The nine funded projects include:
Queensland Tourism Industry Council: Digital platform to improve workforce mobility for seasonal tourism and hospitality workers.
Awesome Women in Construction: Scaffolding the Future to encourage more women into construction careers.
Outback Independent Living Limited: Building a stronger disability support workforce in Central West Queensland.
Registered and Licensed Clubs Association of Queensland: Women in Clubs Leadership Pathways to increase female leadership representation.
Queensland Social Enterprise Council: Workforce Gateway to connect employers with underrepresented jobseekers across 13 regions.
Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland: Interpreter Workforce Development Project to improve access to mental health interpretation services.
Master Plumbers' Association of Queensland: Retention through Connection to strengthen apprentice recruitment and retention.
Manufacturing Skills Queensland: Global Talent in Manufacturing to support skilled migrants and refugees into manufacturing careers.
CheckUP Australia: Workforce Readiness Studio to address healthcare workforce shortages in regional Queensland.
Building long-term workforce capability
The latest funding round reflects the Queensland Government's continued focus on addressing labour shortages through industry-led workforce initiatives.
By supporting skills development, workforce mobility and greater participation among underrepresented groups, the programme aims to strengthen talent pipelines across sectors facing sustained recruitment challenges while improving employment opportunities throughout regional Queensland.