Workforce Connect Fund

Industry peak bodies and community peak bodies that are registered for GST can apply for funding under this initiative.

To make sure projects are delivered successfully, applicants must partner with other organisations, such as:

• other peak bodies
• community-based organisations
• HR or recruitment specialists
• other relevant groups.

Round 2 successful applicants

If you were successful in the 2023-24 round. You don’t need to apply again to get an extension or extra support for ongoing projects. Contact the Workforce Connect Fund team for further advice by phone 1300 369 935 or email wcf@dtet.qld.gov.au.

Projects must:

• focus on connections and community engagement
• explore and trial new solutions with partner organisations to address industry-specific issues and create long-term, sustainable workforce outcomes
• be able to be rolled out across the sector and create systemic change within the specified industry.

Projects can focus on specific challenges in an industry (like participation rates, keeping certain groups in the workforce, or labour mobility), or take a broader approach to tackle issues like attraction, retention, and participation more holistically.

Project examples could include:

• implementing human-resource support across a sector
• creating new IT platforms or systems
• developing programs that support specific groups and promote social cohesion within the industry
• developing new pre-employment programs
• testing new mentoring or coaching strategies to retain employees and support professional development
• other creative solutions to address workforce attraction, retention, and participation issues, now and in the future.

Step 1: Expression of interest (EOI)

You must submit an EOI between 8 October 2025 and 5pm, 22 October 2025.

This EOI must include:

• your large-scale project proposals
• evidence to confirm your organisation’s eligibility as a peak body organisation
• your response to the capacity to manage criterion.

Step 2: Full application

Once you’ve submitted an EOI, you may be invited to complete a full application. This will involve meeting all the assessment criteria and evidence requirements.

Note:

• Not all EOIs will move to the full application stage. We will let you know if your organisation won’t be progressing beyond the EOI stage.
• We will only accept applications during an open funding-round period.
• One lead organisation must apply for, and manage, funding for each project proposal.

How applications are assessed

• against set assessment criteria, including your organisation's ability to manage the proposed project
• by an assessment panel established by the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (DTET).

You must:

• apply online (using the 'Apply now' button below
• complete your application in one session. Applications cannot be saved and submitted at a later date. To assist the writing process, you can draft you application using our Word template of the application form and then finalise your application online.

To apply:

1. Prepare a draft version of your expression-of-interest application form using the word template provided.
2. Complete your final application form online, upload the required supporting materials and use the relevant templates supplied below.
3. Check your application for completeness, then read and accept declaration terms.
4. Submit your application before the funding round closes.

Application forms will only be available during the open funding round. We won't consider Incomplete or late applications.

Try to submit your application at least 2 days before the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.

To learn about the fund including eligibility requirements and the EOI application process, register for one of our online information sessions:

• Friday 17 October 2025: 10:30–11:30am AEST
• Tuesday 14 October 2025: 2:30– 3:30pm AEST

Employers within specific industries will benefit from large-scale projects completed under the Workforce Connect Fund by having greater access to resources such as:

• human resources support and advice
• new information technology platforms or systems
• new mentoring or coaching services.

Job seekers looking to enter a specific industry will benefit from large-scale projects delivered under the Workforce Connect Fund by having greater access to resources such as:

• specific pre-employment programs
• new industry work experience programs
• standardised entry level requirement materials for specific industries.