Queensland Government Locks in Funding for Biosecurity and Research in 2025-26 Budget

Strategic Insights -

The Queensland government has tabled its 2025-26 budget, providing a modest 7.7 per cent increase in funding for the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), from $458.65 million to $494.02 million. The budget includes new commitments for drought resilience programs, research centres, and biosecurity initiatives, while also funding existing programs for fire ant suppression and sugarcane industry support.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DPI's budget has increased by 7.7 per cent year-on-year in 2025-26, from $458.65 million to $494.02 million.
  • The government has committed $51.9 million over four years for drought resilience programs, including drought preparedness grants and programs conditional on matched funding from the federal government.
  • $60.9 million has been allocated over five years to recruit 100 new biosecurity officers, and $30 million over four years for an agriculture innovation fund.
  • $6.4 million has been committed to research centres at Gatton, Redlands, and Emerald, with most funding going towards new infrastructure, including master planning and agtech development.
  • The state has allocated $24 million over two years for fire ant suppression, $6.7 million over three years to support the Mossman sugarcane industry, and $4.5 million towards Beef 2027, among others.

Statistics:

  • The DPI's budget has increased by 7.7 per cent year-on-year in 2025-26.
  • $458.65 million (2024-25) to $494.02 million (2025-26) represents a $35.37 million increase.
  • $51.9 million (2025-26) has been committed for drought resilience programs.
  • $60.9 million over five years will be spent on recruiting 100 new biosecurity officers.
  • 100 new biosecurity officers will be recruited over five years.
  • $30 million over four years has been allocated for an agriculture innovation fund.

Sources:

  • Zac Braxton-Smith, The Queensland government's first budget has locked in funding for commitments it made to producers on either side of the state election, while adding a modest $58.3 million to DPI's coffers for two key initiatives. ("Source: Queensland Government Budget" with no date mentioned)
  • Queensland Budget Paper No. 1, 2025-26, Table 1, page 16.
  • Queensland Budget Paper No. 1, 2025-26, Section 7, page 48.