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Sustainability in Business

Tourism Business Capability Subsidy

Effective: 5 March 2026

The Tourism Business Capability Subsidy provides up to $2,000 to eligible sole traders, micro, small and medium-sized tourism and event businesses in Queensland to undertake targeted training and/or accreditation programs and covers areas such as sustainability and ecotourism, digital capability and AI, tour guiding, distribution and sales, cultural understanding, quality assurance, accessibility and risk mitigation.

The Subsidy is open now for applications and will close 5pm, 30 June 2026 or earlier if funding is fully allocated.

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Townsville City Council is supporting businesses in taking part of eco certification and sustainability credentials as part of their ongoing commitment to building and maintaining a Sustainable Destination and supporting local business capacity and resilience.

There is no better time to leverage Townsville’s new ECO Destination status and get involved in an exciting community-driven project. There are a range of businesses tracking and progressing their sustainability ratings and utilising best practice resources to save business costs and build business resilience.

Where to Start?

A range of programs are available through local, national and global programs. It can be difficult to know where to start, however there are some programs making it easier for business to get involved.

A few pathway programs to get started include:

These programs are starting points for making your business more economically, environmentally, culturally and socially sustainable. The programs will help you build more in-depth, recognised sustainability credentials and training.

Locals Programs Supporting all Business

Smart Precinct NQ

Established in 2019, Smart Precinct NQ is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a springboard for collaboration, learning and growth through a range of start-up accelerators and incubator programs, business growth advisory services, investment support and events.

Plastic Free Places NQ

Formally Plastic Free Townsville, Plastic Free Places NQ is working with communities to help reduce single-use plastic packaging and create lasting changes towards a circular economy.

Plastic Free Champions are members that have eliminated all of our key plastic items (straws, coffee cups & lids, takeaway containers & lids, foodware (cutlery, plates, cups etc), water bottles & bags).

ecoBiz Queensland

ecoBiz Queensland provides Queensland businesses with free advice, training and workshops on ways to improve their environmental sustainability and lower operating costs.

This free program helps businesses understand and save on their energy, water and waste costs.

Businesses can access free one-on-one coaching with an expert sustainability consultant who will provide an action plan outlining cost saving measures.

Businesses on Magnetic Island (Yunbenun)

Free Business Advisors are available to assist and support Magnetic Island business owners.

The Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MICDA) has appointed two business advisors as part of the Community Climate Action Project toward Net Zero. The business advisors will work with businesses on Magnetic Island to help them reduce waste, be more energy efficient and reduce overall costs. Where appropriate, transition to renewables such as solar generation will also be supported. With Townsville recently becoming a certified ECO Destination, it is more important than ever to bring more Magnetic Island businesses into sustainable and eco-accredited business practices.

Business advisors will provide free advice for business owners on Magnetic Island to suit the needs of businesses. This program is available for locals and delivered by locals. It can range from a one-off consultation to a series of engagements based on business needs.

For more information, visit MICDA's Climate Action Project page.

Sustainability Accreditations for Businesses

Ecotourism Australia:

Queensland Tourism Industry Council:

EarthCheck:

Training for Business

Benefits of an Environmentally Friendly Business

Business Queensland has put together resources on the benefits of an environmentally friendly business and how to get there. The community and your customers are becoming more environmentally aware and educated, and online resources are available to help.

Find out the benefits and advice on the Business Queensland website.