If you run a small construction business in Queensland, you may have seen software companies promoting a $5,000 government grant for job management software. There is a program coming. But as at 29 October 2026 it isn't open, and the official rules haven't been published. Here is what is actually confirmed.
What is official
Business Queensland's small and family business grants schedule, last updated 26 October 2026, lists the Construction Business Advancement Grant as "opening soon", with the opening date to be confirmed.[1] That is the whole official record. No guidelines, eligibility criteria, grant amount or closing date have been released on the schedule.
Where the $5,000 figure comes from
The program started as an election commitment. In October 2024, as part of its Small Business First policy, the then-opposition LNP promised $8.8 million for Construction Business Advancement Grants of $5,000. The grants were to help small and family construction businesses and sole traders pay for management software for productivity and bookkeeping, so owners could spend more time on the tools and less on paperwork.[2]
That commitment is the best indication of what the program will look like. It isn't a guideline. Amounts, eligible software and who qualifies can all change between a promise and a final program.
Be careful with vendor pages
Several software companies have already published "eligibility" and "how to claim" pages for this grant, some describing an approved software catalogue or a claim-back process. Some of that may turn out to be right. But it isn't drawn from published guidelines, and it is written by businesses that want to sell you the software. Treat it as a guess until Business Queensland publishes the rules.
Don't buy first
The most expensive mistake is buying software now on the assumption you can claim it later. Most government grants refuse to fund anything bought or started before the application is approved. Until the guidelines say otherwise, assume this one will too.
How to get ready now
Recent Queensland small business grants give a useful guide to the paperwork you'll probably need. The current security grants, for example, require 19 or fewer employees, turnover of $10 million or less, at least a year of trading, an active ABN, GST registration and a Queensland headquarters on your ABR record.[3] There is no guarantee this grant will use the same tests, but getting these in order costs nothing:
- check your ABN record on ABN Lookup, including GST registration and your main business location[4]
- have last financial year's turnover figure ready
- shortlist two or three job management or bookkeeping packages and get written quotes, without buying
- write down what the software will fix: quoting time, invoicing delays, lost job notes. Applications usually ask what the project achieves
What you can apply for right now
While this grant waits, Queensland's Secure Communities Partnership Program is open, and since 23 October 2026 it covers security for tradie vehicles, trailers and equipment. Grants run from $1,500 to $20,000 with a 50% contribution, closing 23 April 2027.[3]
We will update this page when the guidelines are published. Until then, nothing here replaces the official program information on business.qld.gov.au.