State Budget 2025-2026: What it Means for QLD

It’s the fresh start Queensland deserves! The State Budget has been revealed and there is a lot in store for our wonderful state.

The 2025–26 Queensland State Budget, unveiled by Treasurer David Janetzki, marks the first budget under the Crisafulli-led Liberal National Party (LNP) government since 2014. The budget aims to address pressing challenges in health, housing, cost of living, and infrastructure, while managing a projected deficit of $8.6 billion and a state debt forecast of $218 billion left by the previous government.

The Crisafulli Government’s first Budget is about delivering for Queensland. It lays the foundation for the fresh start we promised. It is a plan to deal with the big crises Labor left behind.

At a Glance:

• 1600 police recruits with stronger laws and new programs to turn kids away from crime.
• 15 new schools and $300 in vouchers for education essentials and kids’ sport.
• 3 new hospitals and 10 major upgrades. More free healthcare than ever before.
• A new nation leading home ownership scheme to reduce the deposit gap.
• Major Bruce Highway upgrades projects to get you home safer.

Below is a general guideline of what’s in store on a state level. Please take a look at the State Budget – What it means for FNQ to see what the Budget has in store for our region specifically.

Health: Expanding Capacity and Access

Queensland’s health system receives a significant investment through a multi-pronged $18.5 billion Hospital Rescue Plan, aimed at expanding infrastructure and capacity:

3 new and 10 upgraded hospitals
$1 billion boost to Queensland Ambulance Service to reduce ramping
More than 4,500 new health workers to ease staff shortages
Easier Access to Health Services Plan: more free healthcare than ever before
Surgery Connect program: partnerships with the private sector to reduce elective surgery waitlists
New medical tech: 9 CT scanners and 6 MRI machines across regional centres

Housing and Homelessness: Addressing the Crisis

To ease Queensland’s housing crunch and rising living costs, the budget includes:

$5.6 billion for social and community housing, aiming for 53,500 new homes by 2044
$2 billion Residential Activation Fund to speed up housing developments
New home ownership support: “Boost to Buy” deposit gap scheme and stamp duty abolished for first-home buyers
50 Cent Public Transport Fares made permanent
$100 Back to School Boost for all primary-aged kids, locked in annually
$200 Play On! sports voucher to support kids’ sport
Electricity rebates and Electricity Maintenance Guarantee on all state-owned generators

Safety Where You Live

The government has introduced a tough-on-crime stance through its Adult Crime, Adult Time policy:

33 offences now treated with adult penalties for youth offenders
$560 million for early intervention and rehab programs to break repeat offending
$50 million for a new Victims Advocate Service
1,600 new police recruits on the way
New tasers, upgraded stations and mobile police beats to better equip frontline officers

Cost of Living: Providing Relief

To alleviate cost-of-living pressures, the budget introduces:

50-cent public transport fares
Electricity rebates
A $100 Back to School Boost for primary school children
A $200 Play On! sports voucher program
A $30,000 First Home Owner Grant

These measures aim to support families and first-home buyers.

A Plan for Queensland’s Future: Infrastructure and Connectivity

The budget takes a long-term approach to building the Queensland of tomorrow:

$41.7 billion in transport and roads, including:
- $9 billion Bruce Highway upgrade
- Bribie Island Bridge rebuild
- Mooloolah River Interchange upgrades
- $100 million Country Roads Connect program for regional flood-resilient roads
$5.75 billion Faster Rail between Logan and Gold Coast
2032 Olympics Delivery Plan: $4.7 billion investment in venues and athlete village
15 new schools, including 6 special schools
The Budget also includes key projects in our region including the Western Arterial Road, a new Barron River Bridge and upgrades to several footpaths.

Education: Supporting Learning and Development

Aiming to help students “catch up, keep up and stay in school,” the budget provides:

$814.8 million for new schools and expansions
$9.4 billion in public education improvements
Education Essentials vouchers ($100 Back to School, $200 Play On!)
Support for both general and special education needs across the state

Energy, Sustainability & Environment

Queensland’s transition to a cleaner future continues:

Rebates to ease household power bills
Electricity Maintenance Guarantee to ensure reliability from state-owned generators
Support for renewable energy projects as part of Queensland’s sustainability plan

2032 Olympics: Preparing for the Games

In preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the budget allocates $4.7 billion for Games venues and athlete villages.

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