Queensland aims to boost workforce participation with targeted grants
In a bid to ease the path back to work for Queensland women, the state government has unveiled a $20 million initiative: the Women’s Career Grants program. The scheme, which mirrors the LNP’s election promise ahead of the 2024 state vote, is designed to reduce the barriers that can keep women out of the workforce after a break in their careers.
The program targets women aged 18 and over who have been out of the workforce for more than six months. Eligible applicants can access up to $5,000 to cover essential costs such as childcare, job readiness programs, technology, and workwear. Officials say the grants are flexible, with a minimum impact approach intended to lift a broad cohort of women back into paid employment.
Premier David Crisafulli underscored the center-right government’s focus on practical outcomes. “This is the difference between somebody being able to rejoin [the workforce] or not… all we are focusing on is how we can remove the obstacles that exist,” he said. He positioned the grants as a pragmatic investment in both the state’s productivity and the personal sense of worth that work can bring.
“We believe that it is a really small investment in the productivity for this state, and the sense of self-worth that comes with a job,” the Premier added, signaling a policy that ties economic growth to individual opportunity.
The expressions of interest open immediately, ahead of the official launch slated for November 3. The government is aiming to hit the ground running, with the first eligible recipients to be paid before the year ends. A government spokesperson emphasized that the grants could be allocated swiftly to those most in need, reflecting the program’s urgency in addressing workforce gaps.
Supporting life-stage challenges and flexible funding
Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson explained that the program is designed to support women who left work for a range of reasons. The government expects to help a minimum of 4,000 women, with flexible grant amounts to accommodate individual circumstances. “We have tailored this program as a result of feedback from women… to have the dignity of opportunity,” Simpson stated, highlighting a people-centered approach to public policy.
The initiative is touted as a first-of-its-kind move for Queensland, built in partnership with Future Women, a professional development organization that will administer the grants. In addition to the grants, the government will fund an expansion of Future Women’s Jobs Academy, which will broaden access to pre-employment training and practical support for returning workers.
Founder Helen McCabe welcomed the plan, noting that it could help “tap into a dormant workforce.” She described the expansion as an extension of a program that began with 500 women and is set to scale to include another cohort, reinforcing the program’s potential to address a statewide skills shortage.
McCabe pointed to the practical tools the academy provides, such as resume and cover-letter workshops, interview coaching, and guidance on professional branding. “They’ll be able to access our pre-employment program… with all the things women desperately need, like advice on how to produce a resume and cover letter,” she said.
Support from mothers who know the challenges
The policy has drawn particular attention from mums who understand the barriers to re-entering the workforce. Jen Fleming, a Queensland mother, said the grants could restore confidence for those ready to take the next step. “When you become a mum, everything changes, your body changes, your priorities change,” she said. “I think this is groundbreaking… women need support to have the confidence to return to work when they’re ready.”
Evie Massey, another mother who has been out of the workforce for 16 years while raising children, hopes to resume her makeup artist career someday. She described childcare as a key need and said the grant could also help her sharpen her resume and presentation. “The need for childcare as a mum is quite necessary… but also [the money would] help me sharpen my resume, my presentation… also to get all the tools that are necessary,” Massey said.
Looking ahead
As Queensland rolls out the Women’s Career Grants, policymakers are watching to see how well the program translates into measurable gains in workforce participation and productivity. Government officials say the initiative is not just about money—it’s about restoring confidence, offering practical support, and sending a signal that the state values women’s economic contributions. The early rollout will also serve as a test case for how effectively public-private partnerships can deliver targeted employment support at scale.
