Workforce Connect Fund

Who can apply

To be eligible, small businesses must:

• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for GST
• demonstrate their principal place of business is in Queensland
• have a minimum of 1 paid employee (excluding the business owner)
• have fewer than 20 employees (by headcount)
• have an annual turnover of less than $10 million
• demonstrate that at least 50% of the business's income is generated directly from the business (i.e. not solely investments or government funding)
• declare that owners/directors are not insolvent or undischarged bankrupt.

Additionally, small businesses must have engaged with an Industry Workforce Advisor and developed a Workforce Plan that identifies an immediate need for new and innovative HR solutions to support its workforce to be eligible to apply for this grant.

Eligible activities

• Engaging with HR specialists to receive advice and coaching to improve workforce issues
• Specialised recruitment strategies or practices to attract and retain underutilised or specific cohorts.
• New workforce systems or tools that promote human resource support and resources accessible to employees and change the current workforce operations of a business.
• Other new and innovative approaches that support workforce attraction, retention or participation

How to apply

Small businesses that have worked with Industry Workforce Advisors to develop a Workforce Plan that identifies essential HR support needs can request an application form by emailing wcf@desbt.qld.gov.au.

Email requests must include:

• a copy of the completed small business's Workforce Plan
• the relevant contact details of the Industry Workforce Advisor that has been working with the small business.

Help and information

• Contact an Industry Workforce Advisor.
• Read the HR support for small business fact sheet
• Read the HR support grants for small business – Guidelines for funding 2024–25.

Successful projects

View the successful projects from the 2023–24 funding round.

View the successful projects from the 2022–23 funding round.

Help and information

• Workforce Connect Fund 2023–24 funding guidelines
• Frequently asked questions

For all general enquiries for the Workforce Connect Fund, phone 1300 369 935 or email wcf@desbt.qld.gov.au.

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.

Successful projects announced in round 1 of the fund commenced delivery in early 2023.

Connecting businesses

A network of industry workforce advisors will be established to support employers to:

• address gaps in workforces and connect to potential sources of labour supply
• connect employers with other Department of Trade, Employment and Training programs, including the Workforce Connect Fund.

Once projects are approved, they will be published to this website and employers will also be able to make direct contact with funded project contacts.

Connecting job seekers

Approved projects will be published to this website and job seekers will be able to make direct contact with funded project contacts.

Funded organisations will partner with a number of organisations that will also assist job seekers connect to funded projects. Partner organisations will also be published to this website.