The grants are open—submit your application by 9 December 2026.
About the program
Applications are open for grants of up to $5,000 to support community projects that:
- improve recreational fishing experiences—an integral part of the Queensland lifestyle and important for tourism, attracting anglers from around Australia and the world
- support traditional fishing—a significant cultural activity for First Nations peoples.
Who can apply
- Community not-for-profit organisations
- Angling clubs/associations
- Schools
- Councils
- Universities
- Statutory bodies/government agencies
- Incorporated bodies/associations.
- Regional community groups
- First Nations organisations
- Youth organisations
Criteria
The project must meet at least 1 of the following criteria:
- Recreational and traditional fishing education and stewardship, for example
- fishing workshops/clinics, schools, education, come-and-try days, fishing education programs
- signs explaining sea country, education on First Nations peoples' traditional fishing activities
- citizen science projects, fish tagging.
- Fish habitat improvement and protection, for example
- removing barriers to fish migration
- replanting and protecting riverbank vegetation
- restoring water flows.
- Monitoring or research (provides linkages, value-adds or fills information gaps for recreational or traditional fishing), for example
- social or economic surveys about fishing
- biology or ecology of popular recreational species.
The Queensland Government is also interested in applications that address at least 1 of these current priorities:
- Contributes to relevant fishing and seafood actions under Primary Industries Prosper 2050, including how it will
- support recreational and/or traditional fishing communities
- strengthen stewardship
- improve access
- build capability
- promote sustainable fishing practices
- deliver broader social, cultural, environmental or economic benefits.
- Supports recreational fishing strategies developed by the relevant local government to promote recreational fishing opportunities in the Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton net-free zones.
- Improves understanding of, or supports, traditional or cultural fishing activities of First Nations peoples.
- Supports economic growth through non-commercial fishing activities.
How to apply
- Read the community fishing grant guidelines (PDF, 350KB).
- Submit the application form via the SmartyGrants portal by 9 December 2026.
You will be notified about the outcome of your application in early 2027.
More information
Email fisheriesgrants@dpi.qld.gov.au.
Last updated: 09 Nov 2026