The Queensland Government has delivered a State Budget it says is built around better services and cost of living savings without new or increased taxes.
It said the 2026-27 Budget delivered lower debt and was geared towards being in surplus in 2029-30.
Treasurer David Janetzki said the operating deficit for 2026-27 had improved to $6.2 billion following this year’s expected operating deficit of $8.8 billion.
He said spending was forecast to lift 4.9 percent in 2026-27 compared to 5.3 percent in last year’s budget.
“I can advise the House that total state debt will be lower each year across the forward estimates than previously forecast,” Mr Janetzki said in his budget speech.
“Debt this year will be $142.4 billion, a $5.4 billion reduction on last year’s budget. Total state debt is now forecast to reach $216.5 billion at the end of the forward estimates in 2029-30.”
The government’s cost of living package includes an increased $150 Back to School Boost, a two-year freeze on bulk water prices and passing on lower power prices to Ergon customers.
The budget locked in the 50 cent public transport fares, introduced by the previous government, and abolished Stamp Duty for first buyers on new homes.
There will be a further reduction in the cap on the number of non-frontline senior public service executives from 842 to 793.
This reduction is being achieved following a review of unfilled positions that would have otherwise cost around $54.2 million over the forward estimates.
A Critical Minerals Program will accelerate investment into new projects and infrastructure to unlock the extraction, processing and export of these minerals.
Three new hospitals will be built – in Toowoomba, Coomera and Bundaberg – along with 10 expansions, and more than 200 new hospital beds coming online in the next year.
The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund has been fast-tracked to unlock more homes sooner.
This Budget commits more than $119 billion on infrastructure over four years.
This includes:
- The $9 billion Bruce Highway upgrade program delivered with a restored 80:20 agreement with Canberra
- A new Gold Coast Transport Plan
- The Wave railway plan all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport.
More than $1 billion has been added to Queensland’s social and community housing build, with a goal of delivering 53,500 by 2044.
Premier David Crisafulli said the 2026-27 Budget was delivering for Queensland.
“We are delivering what we said we would, with the hospitals, schools, generational infrastructure, housing and police we promised, all with no new or increased taxes,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“We’ve got more frontline workers than ever before including more police, more teachers, more nurses and more doctors, and we’re delivering more healthcare and better transport, with relief you can rely on.”
Mr Janetzki said the Budget made the responsible decisions for now and the future.
“Despite global pressures, rising inflation and interest rates, Federal Budget uncertainty, and the challenges we inherited from the former Government, we are delivering more for Queenslanders with no new or increased taxes,” Treasurer Janetzki said.
“We are restoring Budget discipline and respect for Queenslanders’ money, just as we promised.”
The following are some of the key funded programs.
Health
- New hospital beds to come online this year as part of the fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan which will also deliver new hospitals in Toowoomba, Coomera and Bundaberg and 10 major hospital expansions.
- An additional 25,000 elective surgeries sooner with $247 million in 2026-27.
- Expanding the free Healthy Kindy Kids program Statewide, following a successful pilot in Townsville.
- An additional $11.7 million in 2026-27 for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme fuel subsidy.
Safety
- Expansion of the Woodford Youth Detention Centre with $95.8 million over 3 years and $32.3 million ongoing.
- New early intervention programs with $115 million over 5 years and $15 million ongoing for Proven Initiatives and Kickstarter Programs.
- Delivering more support for victims of crime to ensure they can access the assistance they need, including with the Victim Advocate Service.
Frontline policing
- New and upgraded police stations, facilities and police beats across Queensland, including Stage 2 of the Kirwan Police Facility with $96 million.
- Recruiting of more police at a cost of $23 million.
- Delivering upgrades for Queensland to participate in the National Firearms Register with $28 million.
- Expanding crime-fighting ability from the air with expansion of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Capability with $5.375 million.
- Locked-in long-term funding for POLAIR services for Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns.
Water security
- A two-year freeze on bulk water prices for South East Queensland residents will save families $130, while water costs will be subsidised for the Cloncurry and Gladstone regions.
- Boosted water security for families and farmers with major capacity-restoring upgrades, new weirs and progressing Paradise Dam.
- $195.6 million to support regional and remote councils through critical water infrastructure upgrade projects.
Fire fighting
- Delivering 11 new fire stations in regional communities with $15 million in 2026-27.
- Continuing to deliver a new fire-fighting fleet with $43.4 million.
- Strengthening volunteering in Queensland by delivering the Parliamentary Inquiry’s recommendations with $1.2 million.
Child protection
- Establishing a new Queensland Protection Commission to start work on a first-of-its-kind Intelligence Hub to keep children safe with over $250 million.
- Continuing to clear the DNA backlog and recommencing forensic testing at the DNA Lab to deliver faster access to justice for victims with $37.1 million.
- Delivering faster justice for victims of crime with the appointment of 25 additional experienced prosecutors in regional Queensland, with $10.6 million.
Homes
- Locking-in relief for first homeowners with $30,000 First Home Owner Grants totalling $72 million.
- Stamp Duty abolished for first home buyers on new homes, now locked-in law, delivering permanent relief.
- $5.72 billion investment into building new social and community housing, including continuing the 6500 homes currently underway.
- More than $1 billion to be invested into specialist homeless services and crisis accommodation in the next four years, with a $450 million boost in this Budget.
TAFE and skills
- Kick-starting new critical minerals projects by driving an additional
$100 million investment into the Queensland Critical Minerals Fund. - Delivering four new TAFE Centres of Excellence in 2026-27 with $68.9 million.
- Providing an additional $44.2 million to meet demand for skills in the economy.
- Free Nursing to continue in 2027 with new placements available to Queenslanders under continued funding.
Power and energy
- Passing on lower power prices in full to Ergon customers in the Energy Roadmap Price Drop, saving around 7 percent for households and 8 percent for small and family businesses.
- $5.2 billion in 2026-27 to deliver the Energy Roadmap and a record $3.2 billion CopperString investment.
Schools
- $150 Back to School Boost, a 50 percent increase in 2026-27.
- 22 new schools across Queensland including 9 special schools.
- Safer classrooms with 139 extra workplace health and safety coordinators and 30 for special schools.
- Freeing teachers to spend more time teaching and less time on admin, with $40 million to reduce red tape.
Small business
- Upskilling small business owners through micro-credential courses with $11.5 million.
- Delivering AI uplift for Queensland small businesses with $10 million program.
- Providing financial counselling and wellbeing support with $16.8 million.
- Assisting to cover apprentice wages during offsite training with $19 million.
- Supporting chambers of commerce, councils, industry, trade and business networks with $16 million.
The Arts
- More than $19 million to deliver QPAC’s Flexible Performance Space.
- Critical upgrades for the Queensland Cultural Centre with $22 million over four years.
