queensland department of tourism sport and racing

Activate! Queensland Strategy

On this page.

Our 10-year strategy to get more Queenslanders moving, more often.

We know Queenslanders love their sport and take advantage of our wonderful environment to get out and get active.

However, research tells us many people face significant barriers that stop them from being active or playing sport, including:

• age and health
• socio-economic factors
• time availability
• parenting commitments.

What we will do

In July 2019, the Queensland Government released Activate! Queensland: 2019-2029 (PDF, 9MB) , a 10-year strategy with a long-term vision to enrich the Queensland way of life through physical activity.

Through Activate! Queensland we will co-ordinate our efforts and investments to get more Queenslanders active more often.

The strategy will direct investment at:

• creating quality infrastructure to support physical activity
• addressing barriers to participation.

This will support more Queenslanders to be active regardless of age, background, gender or ability.

By 2029 we want to see a rise in activity rates for Queenslanders:

• 60% of children are active for 1 hour per day, up from 41%
• 75% of adults are sufficiently active, up from 60%.

Importantly, Activate! Queensland sees us playing as a team. If government, industry and community collaborate, it will allow us to:

• leverage investment
• share knowledge
• deliver initiatives that meet diverse needs.

View the Activate! Queensland Strategy (PDF, 9MB) .

How we will get there

Implementing the strategy will require coordinated, collaborative effort across government, industry and the community. Partnerships with the active industry will be a critical foundation and will have direct impacts on key initiatives.

Activate! Queensland is being delivered through a series of multi-year action plans, with the first action plan, Our Active8 2019-2022 (PDF, 2MB) , laying important foundations that are already contributing toward the 2029 vision of Activate! Queensland.

In July 2022, we released a new three-year  Activate! Queensland Action Plan: Accelerate 2022-2025 (PDF, 2MB) .

Aligned with Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, Accelerate centres on five key commitments:

• Collaborate with the active industry to get more Queenslanders moving
• Enhance pathways for Queensland’s athletes, coaches, and officials
• Operate precincts and venues that serve community and industry from grassroots to elite
• Champion an industry leading network of infrastructure across Queensland
• Leverage events and opportunities.

What we’ve achieved

Initiatives delivered in the first 12 months under Accelerate include:

• 36,084 FairPlay vouchers redeemed to help eligible young Queenslanders increase their physical activity by reducing the financial barriers to participate in sport and recreation activities.
• Support under the First Nations Sport and Recreation Program and the Deadly Active Sport and Recreation Program to reduce inequalities in participation through delivery of community identified physical activity opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
• $5.29 million in approved funding under Active Clubs to support 2,116 not-for-profit local and regional sport and active recreation organisations to encourage volunteers and provide flexible and safe physical activity opportunities.
• Continued support for state level organisations and industry peak bodies to build the capacity of the industry and enhance participation opportunities for Queenslanders, including:
• $0.95 million to 22 state level organisations under the Active Industry Project Fund to support operational efficiency and workforce upskilling including for volunteers; and
• $3.46 million approved for 38 projects under the second round of ActiveKIT to support innovative products or services to enable more Queenslanders to be physically active.
• 8,026 unique applications approved to support for young Queenslanders selected to attend state (5,660), national (2,242) and international (124) level events through the Emerging Athlete Pathways Program.
• 91 shovel ready projects with total funding of $16.36 million approved under Round 1 of the Minor Infrastructure Program.
• $0.11 million in approved funding under the Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program to 24 sport and recreation organisations affected by extreme natural events.
• $2.465 million in sponsorships to support initiatives or events which directly provide a physical activity opportunity or build community connection through physical activity.
• $2.64 million approved to support six projects as part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Legacy funding initiative.

Initiatives delivered in the second year (2023/24) of Accelerate include:

• 40,361 FairPlay and 5,204 SwimStart vouchers redeemed to help eligible young Queenslanders increase their physical activity by reducing the financial barriers to participate.
• $4.393 million in approved funding under Active Clubs to support 1757 not-for-profit local and regional sport and active recreation organisations.
• Continuing support for delivering high quality, culturally appropriate physical activity opportunities in discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• $16.9 million to strengthen industry capacity and capability under the Active Industry Base Fund.
• $5 million to increase participation and enhance pathways through the Active Industry Project Fund Super Round.
• Harnessing innovative ideas to increase participation opportunities under the ActiveKIT Program.
• Development and launch of the Pathways Blueprint in November 2023 to support all Queenslanders to realise their potential as athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers, and to encourage lifelong participation in sport.
• 9,548 Emerging Athlete Pathways applications approved.
• more than 500,000 people utilising or visiting Sport and Recreation venues.
• 411,961 hours of instructor-led activity delivered at our venues achieving physical literacy outcomes for all participants.
• 45 major events held with over 63,650 patrons sharing in the experiences offered at our venues.
• Overall client satisfaction of 97 per cent across venues.
• $16.36 million approved for 91 projects under Round 1 of the Minor Infrastructure Program.
• $42.2 million approved for 171 projects under the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities Fund.
• Leveraging the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 with additional support for the participation of women and girls in sport and active recreation.

We continue to deliver on initiatives under Activate! Queensland 2019–2029 and work with and support the sport and active recreation industry to deliver participation activities throughout Queensland.

Check out our 2023 scorecard (PDF, 839KB) and our 2024 scorecard (PDF, 8MB) to see how we’ve ensured:

• Queenslanders are participating more often and in a greater number of sport and active recreation opportunities
• The Queensland sport and recreation industry has greater capacity and capability to address current and emerging needs.

Our inaugural 2023 industry annual survey highlights (PDF, 196KB) the perceptions of industry organisations on their capability and capacity, as well as their collaborations with affiliates, the industry, and Sport and Recreation. The insights gathered through this survey are invaluable in shaping our future initiatives and ensuring that we continue to meet the evolving needs of Queenslanders. Explore the key findings (PDF, 196KB) .

Sport and Recreation Partnerships Office

The Partnerships Office is the single point of entry to Sport and Recreation.

The Partnerships Office is the gateway for all future opportunities to drive collaboration, and creates strategic focus and direction for the Queensland Government and active industry to achieve health and wellbeing outcomes for Queenslanders under Activate! Queensland.

Through this office, Sport and Recreation leverages local opportunities and improves coordination by working with the community, active industry and collaborating with other government agencies to deliver opportunities that meet the strategic objectives of Activate! Queensland and the five key commitments under the strategy’s second action plan, Accelerate (PDF, 2MB) .

The Sport and Recreation Partnerships Office transforms the way we plan and deliver, streamlining processes and enabling targeted investment.

To get in contact with the team, email  [email protected] .

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Last updated: 29 Jul 2024

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Queensland's racing industry is a significant contributor to the state's economy and a significant employer of Queenslanders. It also plays an important role in the social fabric of the state, particularly in rural and regional areas.

More than $150 million is distributed annually to the industry by way of prize money across 3 racing codes:

• thoroughbred

Racing legislation

The racing industry in Queensland is administered under 2 acts, the Racing Act 2002 and the Racing Integrity Act 2016 . The Racing Act is administered by the Department of Education, and the Racing Integrity Act by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The Racing Act provides for the management, operation, development and promotion of the racing industry in Queensland. The Act establishes the Racing Queensland Board as the control body for the 3 racing codes listed above.

The Racing Act also provides a framework for eligible corporations to apply for approval as control bodies for proposed new codes of racing.

The Racing Integrity Act was introduced in 2016 to safeguard the welfare of racing animals, ensure the integrity of persons involved in the racing industry and to manage issues relating to betting and sporting contingencies.

Its introduction separated the racing industry's integrity and animal welfare functions from its commercial operations and established the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission in July 2016.

Getting involved in the racing industry

There are several ways individuals can become involved in the racing industry. For further information, contact:

• Queensland Racing Integrity Commission for licensing and registrations
• Racing Queensland for training courses and qualifications
• Racing Australia for current employment opportunities within the racing industry.
• Last reviewed: 18 Nov 2020
• Last updated: 18 Nov 2020

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Sport and Recreation contacts and office locations

Sport and recreation services are delivered from a central office in Brisbane and from a network of more than 15 offices throughout Queensland.

Sport and Recreation also operates the  Queensland Recreation Centres .

Find contact details for:

• Head office

Partnerships office

North coast, south coast, south west queensland, northern queensland, far north queensland, head office : sport and recreation, turrbal / jagera nation.

General enquiries: 13 74 68 (13 QGOV) Email:  [email protected] Street address: Level 6, 140 Creek Street, BRISBANE  QLD  4000 Postal address: PO Box 15478, CITY EAST  QLD  4002

Email: [email protected]

Sunshine Coast office

Gubbi gubbi (kabi kabi) nation.

Street address: Level 2 USC Sports Precinct, 30 Olympic Way, SIPPY DOWNS QLD  4556 Postal address: PO Box 7082, SIPPY DOWNS QLD  4556 Phone: (07) 5459 6176 Email:  [email protected]

Brisbane office—North Coast service area

Street address: Level 6, 140 Creek Street, BRISBANE  QLD  4000 Postal address: PO Box 15478, CITY EAST  QLD  4002 Phone: (07) 5459 6176 Email:  [email protected]

Logan office

Jagera nation.

Street address: Unit 9 Level 1, 54-66 Perrin Drive, UNDERWOOD  QLD  4119 Postal address: Unit 9 Level 1, 54-66 Perrin Drive, UNDERWOOD  QLD  4119 Phone: (07) 3078 3188 Email:  [email protected]

Brisbane office—South Coast service area

Street address: Level 6, 140 Creek Street, BRISBANE  QLD  4000 Postal address: PO Box 15478, CITY EAST  QLD  4002 Phone: (07) 3078 3188 Email:  [email protected]

Gold Coast office

Yugambeh nation.

Street address: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, PALM BEACH  QLD  4221 Postal address: PO Box 50, BURLEIGH HEADS  QLD  4220 Phone: (07) 5669 2114 Email:  [email protected]

Toowoomba office

Gaibal nation.

Street address: Toowoomba Sports Ground, Ground Floor, Clive Berghofer Stadium, 47 Arthur Street, TOOWOOMBA  QLD  4350 Postal address: PO Box 2259, TOOWOOMBA  QLD  4350 Phone: (07) 4596 1006 Email: [email protected]

Dalby office

Barrunggam nation.

Street address: 30 Nicholson Street, DALBY  QLD  4405 Postal address: PO Box 3, DALBY  QLD  4405 Phone: (07) 4531 8525 Email: [email protected]

Bundaberg office

Taribelang bunda nation.

Street address: 16 Enterprise Street, BUNDABERG  QLD  4670 Postal address: PO Box 618, BUNDABERG  QLD  4670 Phone: (07) 4131 2702 Email: [email protected]

Hervey Bay office

Butchulla (or badtjala) nation.

Street address: First Floor, Brendan Hansen Building, 50-54 Main Street, HERVEY BAY  QLD  4655 Postal address: PO Box 3054, HERVEY BAY  QLD  4655 Phone: (07) 4336 7001 Email: [email protected]

Central Queensland

Rockhampton office, darumbal nation.

Street address: 25 Yeppoon Road, PARKHURST  QLD  4701 Postal address: PO Box 822, ROCKHAMPTON QLD 4700 Phone: (07) 4936 0510 Email:  [email protected]

Emerald office

Gayiri nation.

Street address: 99 Hospital Road, EMERALD  QLD  4720 Postal address: PO Box 346, EMERALD  QLD  4720 Phone: (07) 4991 0830 Email:  [email protected]

Mackay office

Yuwi (yuwibara) nation.

Street address: Harrup Park, 89 Juliet Street, SOUTH MACKAY QLD 4740' Postal address: PO Box 239, MACKAY  QLD  4740 Phone: 0436 674 974 or 0409 757 477 Email:  [email protected]

Townsville office

Bindal, and wulgurukaba nations.

Street address: Townsville Sports House, 3-9 Redpath Street, NORTH WARD  QLD  4810 Postal address: PO Box 1468, TOWNSVILLE  QLD  4810 Phone: (07) 4722 5381 Email:  [email protected]

Mount Isa office

Kalkadoon nation.

Street address: Suite 27, Mount Isa House, Mary Street, MOUNT ISA  QLD  4825 Postal address: PO Box 1605, MOUNT ISA  QLD  4825 Phone: 0436 834 036 or 0427 378 903 Email:  [email protected]

Cairns office

Yirrganydji and gimuy waluburra yidinji nations.

Street address: Level 2, Building 2, William McCormack Place, 5B Sheridan Street, CAIRNS QLD  4870 Postal address: PO Box 2494, CAIRNS  QLD  4870 Phone: (07) 4222 5236 Email:  [email protected]

The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory

Budget supports tourism, sport and innovation.

Published Tuesday, 13 June, 2023 at 03:40 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment The Honourable Cameron Dick

Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

• $125 million for Tourism and Events Queensland  
• More funds to support inclusive grassroots community sports infrastructure for the athletes of tomorrow
• Innovation commitment continues with additional funds for female founders and venture capital development funds

The ongoing transformation of Queensland’s rebounding visitor economy is again a key focus of the 2023-24 State Budget.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed to increasing Tourism and Events Queensland’s base funding to $125 million-a-year for the next four years as it works towards ambitious goals for the state’s tourism and events industry.

An aspirational industry goal of achieving $44 billion in overnight visitor expenditure was set in November and the Palaszczuk Government is backing its lead marketing agency to drive demand.

Other Tourism highlights in the 2023-24 Budget include:

• $20 million in 2023-24 to progress Towards Tourism 2032, including the Tourism Experience and Infrastructure Grants program, designed to support tourism experience development in priority areas over two rounds. It will focus on First Nations, sustainability, eco/nature, accessibility and paleo.  
• $12 million over 2 years to support the 2023 Year of Accessible Tourism activities, increasing awareness and capability and for visitor experience development.

The Budget includes tourism business development and continues to support tourism infrastructure and attraction investment.

  Meanwhile, the Palaszczuk Government will continue to lead Queensland’s sport and active recreation industry and support pathways to assist Queenslanders to reach their full sporting potential.

The Budget will deliver $10 million for female facilities and inclusive infrastructure for clubs, sporting organisations and councils including wider pathways, ramps, upgraded toilets and change rooms.

A $2 million investment over 2 years will produce a state-wide audit of facilities for scouts and girl guides and start work on the refurbishments and upgrades that are most needed including modernising huts and dens and improving disability access.

A further $4.8 million over 2 years is allocated for SwimStart, which is an extension of FairPlay, making more than 30,000 vouchers available to eligible families for children up to the age of four to learn to swim.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to innovation and will work with venture capital funds to provide start-ups with greater access to early-stage capital, which will support them to scale up and accelerate growth.

The new Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund (QVCDF) will build on the success of the Advance Queensland initiative, which has supported more than 28,000 good jobs across the state and leveraged over $1 billion from industry partners.

This fund will increase support for innovative early-stage Queensland companies and help Queensland startups become investment ready.

The Palaszczuk Government is also backing in women in business through an additional $5 million over 2 years to expand the Female Founders program to focus on growing the number of women entrepreneurs in Queensland’s innovation ecosystem.

Quotes attributable to the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Tourism, sport, and innovation are all key planks in supporting and growing a strong Queensland economy.

“In these sectors the budget targets investment, not just aimed at growing industry, but also strengthening our communities through partnerships and by being more inclusive.

“It’s through this lens that the budget is most impactful, in identifying the area’s we need to invest in, to both secure good jobs while protecting and enhancing our Queensland lifestyle as we grow.”

Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“The resilience of the Queensland tourism industry to rebound after the pandemic is remarkable, and this $125 million-a-year for the next four years will help the Government reach its bold ambitions to rebuild the sector even stronger.

“Innovation is central to developing our state’s jobs of the future and the new $150 million Queensland Venture Capital Development Fund is aimed at doing just that.”

Quotes attributable to Innovation Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:

“The future is bright for our tourism industry as Queensland continues to hold our nation-leading position as Australia’s most popular holiday destination for domestic visitors.

“We are now focused on and determined to rebuild our international markets, not just getting them back to pre-pandemic numbers but growing them even stronger.

“Queensland had the best and quickest recovery from the pandemic than any other state, but we’ve always said we want to rebuild better and by locking in this increased funding for the next four years we’re backing TEQ to support the industry to do just that.

“Better designed female facilities and inclusive sporting infrastructure gives more Queenslanders the opportunity to participate in sport and other physical activities.

“We are looking for shovel-ready projects to upgrade facilities for scouts and girl guides to improve community access and to make things that much easier for our amazing volunteers.

“SwimStart will bring learn-to-swim classes within reach for 30,000 toddlers, helping low-income families with cost-of-living pressures and giving the swimmers of tomorrow a head start.”

“This $75 million of cornerstone funding into venture capital and accelerator programs, matched or better by the private sector, is all about creating the Queensland jobs of the future.

“This builds on the latest $142 million investment into the Advance Queensland - Innovation for a Future Economy 2022–2032 Roadmap – from last year’s budget.

“The roadmap increases investment so that companies can start, stay and grow in Queensland and build a well-connected, inclusive and thriving innovation ecosystem.”

Media contact – Bill Walker 0437 859 987

Suggested searches for

What is DestinationQ

DestinationQ is a partnership between the Queensland Government and the tourism industry.

This partnership facilitates ongoing engagement between industry and government to deliver on key priorities to drive growth and jobs in the state.

The most visible element of the partnership is the annual DestinationQ Forum which brings government and industry leaders together to discuss priorities for ensuring the industry remains competitive.

DestinationQ partners

The  Department of Tourism and Sport provides leadership in making Queensland an attractive destination for visitors, investment and events.

The department works closely with the private sector and across government to build the state’s tourism infrastructure and create a favourable environment for the industry to grow. The department also works with industry to attract investment, develop new product and experiences, improve transportation through expanded access and services, and seize new opportunities while addressing current and emerging challenges.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is a statutory body of the Queensland Government and the state’s lead marketing, destination and experience development and major events agency.

In partnership with government, regional tourism organisations, industry and commercial stakeholders, TEQ aims to build Queensland’s tourism and events industry to foster innovation, drive industry growth and boost visitor expenditure.

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) is Queensland’s peak tourism industry body and the leading advocate for Queensland’s tourism, hospitality, and events sectors. As a not-for-profit, membership-based organisation, QTIC represents the interests of the state’s more than 60,000 tourism businesses. QTIC members receive access to unique business programs, networking opportunities and industry updates, all while helping to shape and influence the future of Queensland tourism.

Cultural acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their spirits and their legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors—our First Nations peoples—give strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations towards creating a better Queensland.

• Appointments

Staff Writers

New sport and tourism chief as queensland gears up for games.

Andrew Hopper has been promoted to Director General in Queensland’s Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport as the state gears up for the 2023 Olympics.

Mr Hopper, who was previously the department’s deputy and had been acting in the role, has 15 years of leadership experience in industry and government across tourism, major events, sport entertainment and cultural industries in Queesland and the NT, minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.

Mr Hopper’s leadership with would be critical in maximising the opportunities created by the 2023 Games, the minister said.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Andrew on maximising 2032 Games legacy, doubling Queensland’s visitor economy and driving innovation,” Mr Hinchliffe said in a statement.

“Our green and gold runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is Queensland’s time to shine on the world stage.

“The leadership Andrew brings to the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport will be critical to delivering a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Queenslanders.”

Mr Andrew Hopper joined the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport in late 2021 as Deputy Director-General.

Prior to that he spent time in executive roles in the Northern Territory, most recently as the Deputy CEO of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade and leading the Tourism NT (including StudyNT), Screen Territory and Liquor, Gaming and Racing teams.

He has held senior tenures with organisations including the Queensland Government, Northern Territory Government, Tourism Northern Territory, the Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC), MI Associates, Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Australian Rugby Union (ARU).

His appointment followed a trans-Tasman talent hunt.

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Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

From outside Australia, call +61 7 3022 6100 (UTC +10 Hours)

Department of Tourism and Sport PO Box 15168 City East QLD 4002

Compliments and customer complaints

We appreciate your feedback in relation to experiences about a service or action provided by our department.

If you have a compliment or customer complaint , please contact us through the following methods:

• completing the form on the Queensland Government—complaints and compliments website
• calling 13QGOV (13 74 68) within Australia
• calling call +61 7 3022 6100 (UTC +10 Hours) for international callers
• visiting one of Queensland service office locations
• by mail addressed to: Integrity Services, DTIS PO Box 15168, City East, QLD 4002.

If your complaint or concern is about a product or service you have received from a business in Queensland, please contact the Queensland Office of Fair Trading who will be able to assist you further.

Assistance with your enquiry or complaint

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call the  National Relay Service on:

• 133 677 (TTY/Voice) or
• 1300 555 727 (Speak and Listen).

If you need an interpreter, call the  Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450.

If you need any other assistance, please contact us using the contact details above.

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Last updated: 16 Feb 2024