Queensland Budget: Winners and Losers explained

7NEWS

24-06-2025

Premier David Crisafulli says Queensland is 'on the cusp of a golden era' and his government's first budget in a decade showed that it's prepared to spend big to get there.
Billions are being poured into housing, hospitals, and household relief.
But the plan also brings a record deficit, rising debt, and cutbacks in support for some.
So, who came out ahead and who's left wondering?
Winners
1. Home buyers get a boost
The centrepiece of the budget is the nation-leading 'Boost to Buy' scheme, aimed at reducing the deposit gap and opening the door to home ownership for more Queenslanders.
'The Bank of Mum and Dad — well, a lot of people don't have access to it,' Crisafulli said.
'In a lot of cases, it means that the great Australian dream's become a nightmare, and we don't want that.
'We want people who aspire to own a home, and what this does is it helps reduce that deposit gap.
'It is what we're calling Boost-to-Buy. It is nation leading.'
The government will co-invest:
Up to 30 per cent in newly-built homes
Up to 25 per cent in existing homes (capped at $1 million)
Combined with a $30,000 First Home Owner Grant and stamp duty exemptions for new builds, the LNP is making good on its promise to tackle declining ownership.
'Home ownership rates in Queensland are at 63.5 percent, that's the lowest in the country and my vision is to go from last to first within a decade,' Crisafulli said.
'We're doing everything we can to get people into a home.'
'It shows how confident I am about the Queensland property market.'
2. Middle-income families
From the grocery run to the school gate, families are being thrown a cost-of-living lifeline.
The government has pumped out $11.2 billion in concessions including:
$1300 electricity rebate for most households
50¢ public transport fares statewide
$100 'Back-to-School' vouchers for every primary school student
$200 sports vouchers for eligible kids
'That will support families with the cost of excursions, schoolbooks, uniforms,' said Treasurer David Janetzki.
3. Hospital patients and frontline services
The budget also tackles long-standing pressure points in Queensland's health:
$29.4 billion health budget (up 10.2 per cent)
$18.5 billion Hospital Rescue Plan
Funds to slash elective surgery waitlists by 30,000 patients
More paramedics, police, and teachers on the way
'For too long, Queenslanders have endured an ailing health system,' Janetzki said.
'We are front-loading the investments into jobs and services now in this budget.'
4. Regional Queensland
Nearly 70 per cent of the government's $18.6 billion infrastructure spend for the coming year will go outside of Greater Brisbane covering roads, rail, and renewables.
The four-year capital works plan is worth $107.3 billion and is expected to support 72,000 jobs.
Losers
1. Low-income households
While most Queenslanders receive a generous $1300 electricity rebate this year thanks to federal funding, around 600,000 vulnerable households, including pensioners and concession card holders, will get less.
They'll get just $386 in state electricity rebates, up only marginally from $372 last year, while most households will receive a $1300 rebate thanks to combined federal and state contributions.
The Queensland Electricity Rebate itself hasn't increased, remaining frozen at $372.20 despite rising energy bills.
It's led to criticism the state is leaning heavily on Commonwealth funds to deliver relief, while scaling back its own contributions.
Queensland Council of Social Service (QCSS) said this isn't enough and worry that many vulnerable Queenslanders might struggle to pay their power bills.
State funding for energy rebates has dropped from nearly $1 billion last year to $353 million this year, as the government winds back temporary cost-of-living relief and leans heavily on federal support.
2. Drivers face higher costs as discounts end
Several cost-of-living relief measures introduced last year have now either ended or been scaled back. Additionally, government fees and charges, including licence renewals and registration costs, will rise by 3.4 per cent.
Key rollbacks include:
The E-Mobility Rebate Scheme for electric vehicle buyers was discontinued in October 2024, with no further funding
The 20 per cent discount on vehicle registration ends mid-September 2025 and won't be renewed
Extra car rego discounts have collapsed from $399 million to just $36 million
As a result, government revenue from vehicle registration is forecast to jump more than 21 per cent next financial year.
While public transport fares remain locked in at 50 cents, rising fees, charges, and the end of one-off discounts mean many households will pay more out-of-pocket in areas like motoring and licensing.
The big picture
Queensland's total debt is forecast to hit a record $205.7 billion by 2028-2029, with an $8.6 billion deficit predicted this financial year.
But with cost-of-living relief scaled back, and spending focused on long-term infrastructure and housing, many families will feel the squeeze.
Janetzki said: 'We're stepping in to save projects to deliver jobs and services that Queenslanders need.'
This marks a clear shift away from blanket relief, with the LNP now focusing on more targeted and means-tested support.
But the government remains optimistic about the state's future.
'We're on the cusp of a golden era in Queensland, we really are,' Crisafulli said.
'My message to people across the country — whether you're looking for a great place to live or a place to invest — we're open for business.'