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Asia-Pacific Opportunities
Closer to Port Moresby than Brisbane; Cairns is Australia's gateway to the Pacific.
Papua New Guinea is Cairns' largest Pacific trading partner, with exports in 2024/25 through the Port of Cairns valued at A$59.2 million. Combined with a 40+ year Sister City relationship with Lae, Cairns is positioned to grow trade, investment and business connections across the Pacific.
An ASPI-commissioned report, Cairns: The Northern Gateway to the Pacific, highlights opportunities to strengthen trade and business links in the region.
Looking to explore new markets? Join the business Delegation to PNG
Join the Tradelinked Cairns-PNG-Pacific Business Delegation to Lae and Port Moresby from 22-29 October 2026.
Timed to coincide with the Morobe Agricultural Show in Lae, the delegation will connect FNQ businesses with new customers, partners and industry contacts during exclusive networking events and business meetings.
Places are limited. Learn more and download the Business Delegation Prospectus.
We'll continue to share Pacific business, trade and investment opportunities relevant to Far North Queensland businesses as they arise.
Council Tenders and Procurement
Current opportunities to tender for Cairns Regional Council work and procurement opportunities are listed below.
Supply and Deliver of Sands, Soils and Raw Materials
Council invites submissions from qualified suppliers for the supply and delivery of sand, soils, mulch and other raw materials for construction and maintenance.
Closes: 4.30 pm, Friday, 31 July 2026
ECM Capability Assessment
Council is seeking qualified providers to assess its current Enterprise Content Management environment, identify business and regulatory requirements, and recommend a practical solution to supports ongoing digital transformation initiatives.
Closes: 4.30 pm, Friday, 7 August 2026
Workshops, Training and Industry Events
Technical & Production Roundtable
Cairns Regional Jobs Committee is bringing together industry experts to address workforce shortages and skill-gaps across FNQ's live events, music, theatre, business events, and screen production sectors.
When: Tuesday 4 August, 9.00 am to 11.00 am
Where: Screen Queensland Studios, Cairns
Free | Email: rjc@cairnschamber.com.au to express your interest
Queensland Exporter Regional Roadshow
Last chance to register!
Thinking about expanding into new markets?
Join the Minister for Trade and Minister for Small and Family Business for practical insights and information on government support to help your business grow.
When: Thursday 6 August, 7.00 am to 9.00 am
Where: The Bolands Centre
Free | Register here (Close midnight 30 July 2026)
Construction Career Match
Building connections. Creating Opportunities.
If you are an employer looking for motivated apprentices and junior staff, or ready to start your career in the construction industry, you can find new opportunities at this event. This is a chance to connect, engage, and explore career pathways for your future.
When: Monday 17 August, 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Where: Cairns Regional Council Civic Reception Room
Free | Register here
Cairns Maritime Jobs & Careers Expo 2026
Now in its fourth year, the expo connects businesses, training providers, students, job seekers and career changers with opportunities across the marine, maritime and defence industries.
When: Saturday 29 August, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Where: Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron
Free | Register for an Exhibitor Stall (Free)
Battery Training for apprentices and trades
Battery training is available for licensed electricians, educators and apprentices through the TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries.
Build skills in battery technology and renewable energy systems to support the growing clean energy sector.
Read more about the free, online training here.
Expand your supplier network during Indigenous Business Month - October 2026
As part of Indigenous Business Month this October, we're hosting a business networking event that will bring together First Peoples businesses, organisations and business support services to build connections, share opportunities and strengthen business networks.
Organisations interested in diversifying their supplier base and connecting with First Peoples businesses are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to participate.
When: Thursday 22 October 2026
Where: Civic Reception Room & Courtyard, Cairns Regional Council
First Peoples businesses: Save the date. Event details and registrations will be announced soon.
Watch the 2025 event video here.
This event is delivered by the Queensland Government, supported by Cairns Regional Council, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, and Harbrow Mentoring.
Grants and Business Support
Defence Industry Development Grants Program
Australian SMEs can get up to $1m in grants to boost defence capability, skills, exports and security, covering up to 50% of eligible costs across four grant streams.
Closes: 31 July and 31 August 2026. Find out more
DRIVEN Charger Grant Stream
Grants of up to $8 million are available to support new public fast EV charging stations at automotive dealerships and EV repairer sites, including regional locations.
Closes: Friday 28 August 2026. Find out more
Tourism Icons Investment Fund (TIIF) Round 2
Grants of $1m–$5m are available for major Queensland tourism projects, including new attractions, experiences and infrastructure that enhance tourism appeal and deliver long-term economic and community benefits.
Expressions of Interest close: Monday 10 August 2026. Find out more
First Nations Clean Energy Advice Grants
Grants of $5,000 to $80,000 are available to help First Nations organisations and groups access technical advice and build capability for clean energy projects.
Closes: Thursday 3 September 2026. Find out more
Applied Research Grants
TAFE Queensland's Centres of Excellence are offering Applied Research Grants to support collaborative projects across the clean energy batteries and health care and support sectors.
Closes: Monday 7 September 2026. Find out more
Small Business Apprenticeship Program
Eligible small businesses can receive wage subsidies for construction apprentices, covering up to 50% of wages in the first two years and 25% in next two years. Funding supports up to 32 weeks of training. Applications are open now for additional places.
Find out more
TradieStart Apprentice Incentive
Eligible small businesses hiring their first apprentice can receive $10,000, plus $4,000 for apprentices aged over 21 and $2,000 for priority cohorts. Medium and large businesses may receive up to $14,000 for eligible priority cohort apprentices.
Applications are open for the first 2,500 eligible apprentices. Find out more
Local Skills Solutions Program
Up to $250,000 (ex GST) per project to address regional skills gaps in Queensland. The program supports projects expanding face‑to‑face training, providing wraparound support and strengthening engagement in local training.
Open throughout 2025–2026 or until funding is exhausted. Find out more
45 by 45 Ecotourism Projects | EOI Open
Have a world-class ecotourism project?
The QLD Government is seeking innovative projects to enter the 45 by 45 initiative, supporting the delivery of 45 experiences before 2045 to help showcase the state to visitors in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
EOI closes 9 August 2026. Find out more
News in Brief
Local Resilience Action Plan (LRAP)
The LRAP is a strategic tool developed by the Queensland Reconstruction Agency (QRA) to support local government to prioritise disaster risk reduction and disaster resilience projects.
Council has referenced 10 projects that make Cairns more disaster resilient in a submission to the QRA; including critical works on University Reservoir and Lower Kamerunga Bridge that form a broader funding package.
More information can be found here.
Cairns Festival Grand Parade Call Out
Join in the Grand Parade on Saturday 29 August to celebrate Cairns turning 150.
If you or your business are ready to enter a float in the parade, you can register and find out more here!
Health Licence Renewals Issuing from 1 August
Renewal notices for food businesses, higher risk personal appearance services, shared accommodation, caravan parks and camping grounds will be issued from 1 August 2026. Invoices will be sent via email (or post where nominated) and are payable before 30 September 2026.
If your business is no longer operating, your details have changed, or you require a copy of your renewal notice, contact 4044 3237 or regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au.
Have Your Say!
Help shape the future of Cairns' Major Events Precinct
Council is developing a Masterplan to guide future development and activations for the Showgrounds, Barlow Park, and surrounding recreation areas to recreate Cairns as a vibrant, region-shaping events and sporting destination.
To help reflect community needs and aspirations, we'd love to hear from you.
Feedback closes Sunday 9 August 2026. Find out more and complete the survey here
Industry in focus
This section features a monthly industry overview and key economic data for priority industries identified in Council's Economic Development Strategy.
In 2024/25, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry contributed an estimated $1.697 billion in Gross Value Added to Cairns' economy. This supports 19,531 local jobs and 1,460 businesses and demand is growing. Health is already one of Cairns' largest employers through healthcare, aged care, disability and community services.
By the numbers
- Unemployment rate Cairns LGA (Mar 26): 4.7%
- JobSeeker recipients (May 26): 8,415
- Monthly job advertisements Far North Queensland (June 26): 5,800
- Total value of building approvals (2025-26 May FYTD): $1,860 million
- Cairns Airport Passenger Throughput (June 26): 405,482
- Cairns Airport Passenger Throughput (2025-26 May FYTD): 4,914,668
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