Local Digital Priority Projects funding program

The Local Digital Priority Projects funding program invests in digital solutions to address specific local economic, business and social priorities across South East Queensland.

By delivering place-based digital infrastructure and improving connectivity, the program aims to:

• improve connectivity and productivity of digital services
• build digital capability and inclusion
• support the growth of high skilled industries and jobs.

Eligible applicants include:

• local governments
• private and public sector entities
• not-for-profit entities
• community service organisations
• regional economic development organisations
• chambers of commerce.

Available funding

A total of $50 million is available under the Local Digital Priority Projects funding program, jointly funded by the Australian Government ($40 million) and the Queensland Government ($10 million) as part of the SEQ City Deal.

Eligible applicants can apply for grants of:

• $1 million to $5 million for digital infrastructure projects from:
  • Funding stream 1: Improving connectivity and productivity
• $100,000 to $1 million for non‑infrastructure projects from:
  • Funding stream 2: Building digital capability and inclusion
  • Funding stream 3: Supporting the growth of high-skilled industries and jobs.

Larger grants may be considered for projects that demonstrate significant benefits for the broader South East Queensland region.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for this program, applicants must:

• be a legal entity
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be registered for the goods and services tax (GST)
• have a registered place of business in an eligible location
• meet the specific eligibility criteria for the relevant funding streams.

Eligible applicants may partner with other organisations to deliver an eligible project.

View Section 2 of the applicant guidelines for the full eligibility criteria.

Eligibility by funding streams

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria as well as the specific requirements for the funding stream they are applying for.

Eligible projects

Eligible projects must align with the Queensland Government's objectives for the community, digital priorities and customer services priorities.

Your projects must not compete with existing Australian Government-funded initiatives.

Potential projects must:

• align with program objectives in Section 1.2 of the applicant guidelines
• fall within the funding caps outlined in Section 1.3.2 of the applicant guidelines or another amount approved in writing by the Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business (CDSB)
• demonstrate they can secure funding to cover project costs outside of the provided Local Digital Priority Projects funding
• be in an eligible location:
  • Brisbane
  • Ipswich
  • Lockyer Valley
  • Logan
  • Moreton Bay
  • Noosa
  • Redland
  • Scenic Rim
  • Somerset
  • Sunshine Coast
  • Gold Coast
  • Toowoomba
• Be capable of project completion by 31 December 2028.

For digital infrastructure projects, applicants must either:

• own and operate the site the project infrastructure will be built on, or
• have approval from the site owner to access, construct, maintain and operate the project infrastructure.

How to apply

Applicants must:

• review the applicant guidelines and ensure your project aligns with program objectives and eligibility criteria
• complete and submit the application form in the SmartyGrants portal, including a completed project plan, which includes details of:
  • the proposed project and its alignment with local economic, business, or social priorities
  • how the project will improve connectivity, productivity, or digital inclusion
  • co-contributions and secured funding from other sources
  • a timeline demonstrating the project’s ability to be completed by 31 December 2028.

How to submit your application

Submit the completed application through the SmartyGrants portal.

Applications are now open and close at 5pm Monday 24 August 2026.

Apply now