Support for artisan food and beverage producers

Access a wide range of initiatives and information to support Queensland artisan food and beverage producers to increase productivity, competitiveness and innovation.

Food and beverage directory and associations

• Queensland Government Food and Beverage Supplier Directory lists food and beverage suppliers and caterers that employ Queenslanders, and assists government to find local suppliers when organising events and corporate functions. Check if you are eligible to register your business.
• Food and beverage industry associations can connect you with industry networks, suppliers, and partners that may help you generate new business.

Licences and regulations

• Use the Business Launchpad, a digital tool that makes it easier to discover licences, permits and regulatory information tailored to the needs of your business.
• Search the Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) for the right Queensland and Australian government licences, permits, registrations and approvals to operate your food and beverage business:
  • read about food business licencing in Queensland
  • learn about stationary vehicle/stall and roadside vending requirements.
• Read about food handling, and food safety regulations and requirements.
• Check if you need to register as a biosecurity entity. Registration is required if you keep certain animals (including bees).

Food and beverage safety standards

• Access The Food Pantry for information about food safety for Queensland businesses and consumers, including:
  • food labelling, including information requirements and tools
  • food safety and hygiene, and risk mitigation actions you can take
  • food safety programs, training and teaching resources.
• Learn about food and beverage safety and compliance in Queensland.
• Visit Safe Food Queensland for information on:
  • food safety regulatory requirements for primary production and processing businesses
  • COVID-19 advice and resources to support business.

Food and beverage innovation and trials

Support for food innovation and food product testing include:

• Food Pilot Plant (Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, Brisbane) – researchers and scientists can assist with testing food products from idea stage through to commercial production ready stage. A service fee may apply.
• FNQ Food Incubator – assists artisan producers in Far North Queensland to develop and create new recipes, processes and tastes, and convert ideas into commercial products.
• Queensland BrewLab – offers access to equipment and services to develop and test new recipes.

Mentoring and networking

• Mentoring for Growth (M4G) program can match eligible businesses to volunteer business experts with artisan food and beverage industry experience for insights, advice and assistance. Register for M4G.
• Small Business Solutions mentoring program gives small business owners access to skilled government-subsidised business mentors and workshops.
• WiRE program (Women in Rural, Regional and Remote Enterprises) delivers a series of online small business programs, funded by the Queensland Government, including free virtual workshops and webinars, and a showcase video series.

Grants, business support and initiatives

• Queensland Government grants finder allows you to search for Queensland Government grants and support to assist artisan producers.
• Advance Queensland offers a range of programs designed to help small businesses collaborate, build on innovative ideas, grow and improve products and services, and compete in global markets.
• Food innovation grants and support may be available to you as a food producer. Learn how to prepare and write a grant application.
• Find information on small business assistance, including online business services, events, webinars and workshops.
• Read about the support available for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples in business, including artisanal producers, to grow and become sustainable by connecting them to funding opportunities, tools and guides.
• Learn how the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business support services can help strengthen and grow small businesses, including artisanal producers, through the Department of Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DSDSATSIP).
• Find out about tailored support available for women in business to help you start and grow your own business.
• The ecoBiz program (from the Business Chamber Queensland), provides small and medium businesses with free advice, one-on-one training and workshops on ways to improve environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions and lower operating costs across energy, water, and waste.

Qualifications

It may take specialist skills and knowledge to produce artisan food and beverages. Find food and beverage qualifications or units of competency to suit your needs and interests on training.gov.au.

Publications

• Read Supporting Artisan Producers which sets out what the Queensland Government is doing to foster growth, competitiveness and innovation in the artisan food and beverage sector.
• Subscribe to:
  • Business Queensland Connect newsletter
  • food safety alerts and newsletters.

Also consider…

• Learn more about the food, beverage and catering industry in Queensland.
• Read more information about food and beverage manufacturing.
• Find out about developing innovative food and beverage products.
• Read about the Queensland Craft Brewing Strategy.