Budget highlights

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s $1.63 billion budget for 2026–27 is helping to deliver a plan for Queensland’s future and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy. It includes measures for:

  • protecting the Great Barrier Reef
  • expanding our protected areas and national parks
  • unlocking national parks for ecotourism opportunities
  • enhancing waste reduction and recycling
  • supporting science and innovation, and more.

Key initiatives

Environment

The 2026–27 Queensland State Budget is focused on protecting the Great Barrier Reef, expanding our protected areas, and improving national parks.

It backs in our recently launched Queensland Waste Strategy by investing in waste reduction and recycling capabilities across our state, so we can help better protect what makes Queensland special for current and future generations.

  • Reef and catchment water quality program: $330.5 million record breaking allocation over five years across several agencies for the Queensland Reef and Catchment Water Quality Program to support healthy waterways, community stewardship and resilient landscapes in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments.
  • Waste reduction and recycling: $267.6 million of additional funding over five years for continued investment in waste reduction and recycling initiatives to support the new Less Landfill, More Recycling 2035: Queensland Waste Strategy, including $53.6 million over four years to deliver new and expanded programs through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Activation Fund.
  • Resource Recovery Infrastructure: $37.4 million in 2026-27 for Resource Recovery Infrastructure under the SEQ City Deal to increase resource recovery rates, facilitate organics recycling and progress the South East Queensland region towards a circular economy.
  • Zero litter to the bay: $9.2 million in 2026-27 to partner with local governments to upgrade stormwater network infrastructure to prevent litter escaping into Moreton Bay, as part of the $35 million investment over five years for Zero Litter to the Bay 2030.
  • Queensland protected areas: $139 million over four years and $34 million per year ongoing for an enhanced capital program focused on growing Queensland's protected areas and enhancing visitor infrastructure, including:
    • $54 million over two years to acquire high-priority land and expand protected areas.
    • $15 million over four years towards visitor and management infrastructure to support protected area expansion including establishment costs for recent acquisitions such as the Tonkoro and Vergemont properties.
    • $6 million to support private landholders to manage their land for improved environmental outcomes.
  • Wildlife hospitals: $20 million in 2026-27 as part of the $39.6 million investment to support the construction and expansion of five wildlife hospitals around the state, increasing their capacity to provide care to sick and injured native wildlife.
  • Threatened species and koalas: funding of $7.9 million for threatened species in 2026-27 and funding of $13 million for koalas in 2026-27.
  • More Rangers, Better Neighbours: $17 million over three years from 2027-28 for additional investment in infrastructure, plant, and equipment to support the management of national parks across Queensland by the additional rangers under the ‘More Rangers, Better Neighbours’ initiative. This builds on our investment of $84.6 million over five years and $29.6 million per year ongoing to add more rangers under the initiative, which also includes enhanced protected area management including of pest and weeds.
  • Fire protection on parks: $5.7 million delivered in 2026-27 to support additional fire vehicles, fire units, and support equipment, as well as upgrades to management networks and infrastructure, to ensure community safety and safeguard natural and cultural values.
  • Grassroots Environmental Grants: $1.5 million to support local lead initiatives that achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.

Tourism

The 2026–27 Queensland State Budget is focused on supporting the continued growth of Queensland's tourism industry and delivering on our Destination 2045 commitments.

By investing in key ecotourism projects, the revitalisation of tourism icons, and the development of innovative regional projects, we will secure Queensland’s tourism future and position our state as a global tourism leader.

We are also protecting one of our most important natural assets, the Great Barrier Reef, so that visitors and locals can enjoy it for generations to come.

  • Enhancing existing ecotourism facilities: $32.2 million over four years as part of our $139 million investment for growing Queensland's protected areas and enhancing infrastructure for visitors to enjoy our public protected areas and deliver on Queensland’s Destination 2045 plan.
  • Wangetti trail: $31.2 million to continue works on the Wangetti Trail, creating an exciting adventure-based ecotourism experience in Tropical North Queensland.
  • Smithfield Mountain Bike Park: $1.8 million delivered in 2026-27 to upgrade and expand the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park trail network and associated visitor infrastructure, strengthening its position as a nationally significant riding destination in Tropical North Queensland.
  • Tourism Icons Investment Fund: $22.5 million delivered in 2026-27 to support projects as part of the Tourism Icons Investment Fund to develop world-class attractions and infrastructure that enhance visitor experiences, create jobs, support tourism businesses and deliver lasting economic and social benefits to communities across the state.
  • Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund: $5.5 million delivered in 2026-27 to support projects as part of the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund to support innovative and sustainable tourism projects across Queensland's regions, addressing critical infrastructure gaps to attract more visitors, boost local economies, and showcase the state's unique natural beauty and experiences.
  • Connecting Queensland Fund: continued funding of $75 million for the Connecting Queensland Fund to strengthen regional flight connectivity.
  • Event Attraction: continued funding of $100 million to attract mega events, as well as regional and business events to our state.
  • Tourism and Events Queensland: TEQ will also continue to receive an additional $146 million over two years from 2027-28 to continue their vital work in positioning Queensland as the home of the holiday.

Science and Innovation

The 2026-27 Queensland Budget will position Queensland as a leader in science and innovation.

By investing in fostering better connections between researchers, businesses, investors and markets, we will help to unlock ideas to build Queensland’s future and make us an even stronger competitor on the global stage.

  • New Science and Innovation programs: $22 million over four years and $5.5 million each year onwards of additional funding to support science and innovation programs that drive research, collaboration and new opportunities across Queensland.
  • Established Innovation programs: More than $10 million in investment for 2026-27 to support continuing Innovation programs including Female Founders, Ignite Ideas, Industry Research Programs and Regional Enablers.
  • Innovation Economy Fund: $40.1 million in 2026-27 for the Innovation Economy Fund under the SEQ City Deal to support new and improved infrastructure developments and plant and equipment that contribute to innovation focused priority industries and innovation growth sectors.
  • High Performance Computing: $26.7 million over four years to support high performance computing and data platforms used by Government to inform planning and decision making using robust scientific data.
  • Quantum and Advanced Technology: $17.46 million in 2026-27 to strengthen and diversify Queensland’s quantum and advanced technologies ecosystem.
  • Regional University Industry Collaboration: $2.2 million in 2026-27 to increase commercialisation of research in Queensland’s regions.
  • International science partnerships, University-Industry partnerships and Community grants: $2.869 million in 2026-27 to strengthen international relationships and facilitate the sharing and development of complementary expertise, support research–industry partnerships in areas of strategic importance to Queensland and increase participation in science-based activities and engagement between scientists and the whole community.
  • Queensland Defence Science Alliance and National Indigenous Science Translation Centre: $1 million in 2026-27 for partnerships to boost defence research through Queensland universities and support the Indigenous-led centre that combines teaching, research and development.

For details, see the department’s Service Delivery Statements.