Statewide excitement as schools selected for 2026 Agribusiness Gateway program
Fifteen secondary schools across Queensland are set to join a big-impact project to help inspire the next generation workforce for the state’s vital primary industries.
CQUniversity’s Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools Project has announced successful Stream 1 schools for 2026, selected from 41 hopefuls from every corner of Queensland. They are:
- Charters Towers State High School
- Clifton State High School
- Cloncurry State School P-12
- Columba Catholic College
- Concordia Lutheran College
- Eidsvold State School
- Emerald State High School
- Goomeri P-10 State School
- Hervey Bay State High School
- Ingham State High School
- Rosedale State School
- Rosewood State High School
- St Joseph's School Stanthorpe
- Sunnybank State High School
- Tamborine Mountain State High School
The announcement builds on the success of 2025, which saw more than 50 schools engaged across the project’s two streams, backed by the Crisafulli Government through the Gateway to Industry Schools Program.
It’s just the second time the Agribusiness program has been offered by CQUniversity’s Agri-tech Education and Extension team, and interested schools can still apply to participate in the new year.
In the first cohort, secondary students and teachers were connected with farmers, agri-tech professionals and industry leaders, to create real-world learning experiences and showcase pathways into agriculture careers.
In 2026, participating schools will range from schools wishing to commence agriculture for the first time, to those supporting new agriculture teachers and their agricultural programs, to schools building new industry partnerships and working across multiple school departments.
Each successful Stream 1 school also receives $2,500 from CQUniversity and industry partners to support the creation of new resources, networks, opportunities and tech for agribusiness education.
More importantly, they will have access to the CQU team for 12 months, to facilitate connections, events and activities with the Queensland agricultural industry, and grow student aspirations for an agribusiness career.
Dr Jaime Manning, Senior Lecturer in Agriculture with the Agri-tech Education and Extension team, said the strong interest was exciting for the future of the sector.
“The quality of the applications from new locations and schools across Queensland really showed the widespread demand for support to start developing agricultural interest, skills and a future workforce in our schools,” Dr Manning said.
“We are excited to support our successful schools for their journey into agriculture, discovering agri-tech, and developing programs to empower future farm innovators.”
“All schools across Queensland still have lots of opportunities to participate through Stream 2 of our program which includes professional development, resources and webinars offered throughout the year.”
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the selected schools were poised to embrace all facets of Queensland’s diverse and prosperous agriculture sector, helping create a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.
“Agriculture has always been a cornerstone industry in Queensland, trading in best practice and providing quality products to Australia and the world,” Minister Bates said.
“As the sector continues to evolve – embracing science, technology and sustainability – our agriculture workforce will evolve along with it."
“I’m excited to see CQU grow the Agribusiness Gateway by reaching into new schools, connecting students with industry, and encouraging even more young Queenslanders to pursue rewarding, skilled ag careers.”
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government was delivering a fresh start for the sector.
“Appropriately skilled workforce is fundamental to meeting our ambitious target to increase the value of primary industries to $30 billion by 2030, and this initiative will contribute to the effort," Minister Perrett said.
The Agribusiness Gateway to Industry Schools Project is managed by CQU and funded by the Queensland Government through the Department of Trade, Employment and Training. It is delivered in partnership with AgriFutures Australia, the Queensland Agriculture Teachers Association and AgForce School to Industry Partnership Program.
Learn more at the Agribusiness Gateway website.
