Why Brisbane is emerging as Australia's next tech powerhouse and global innovation hub
- GJC Team
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
Why Brisbane deserves your attention
When people think of global tech hotspots, they might first picture Silicon Valley, Singapore, or Tel Aviv. But increasingly, eyes are turning to Brisbane. With momentum building across startups, advanced manufacturing, and quantum computing, Queensland’s capital is quietly—but rapidly—shaping up as a serious contender in the next wave of global technology development.
The city is riding a wave of post-pandemic growth, capitalising on its strategic location, government support, and thriving innovation ecosystem. Far from being a fringe player, Brisbane is now firmly on the global radar. The numbers—and the projects—are starting to prove it.
This article explores Brisbane’s evolving tech landscape and why now is the time for investors, entrepreneurs, and policy leaders to take note (Also see: Five Components for Brisbane Tech hub)
A thriving ecosystem: steady growth and real resilience
In the years following COVID-19, Brisbane’s startup scene has transformed dramatically. Between 2021 and 2023, the city’s tech ecosystem generated over AUD 10.8 billion in value—growing at a staggering 81% annually. That kind of acceleration isn’t just a flash in the pan; it signals fundamental shifts in how business, research, and innovation are converging in the city.
Crucially, this growth isn’t limited to one or two sectors. Startups across 18 of 19 key industries saw expansion, a sign that Brisbane’s ecosystem is not only strong but diversified. The city has climbed 13 places in the global rankings of emerging startup ecosystems, now placing comfortably among the world’s top 40.
Much of this is due to sustained, targeted investment from the Queensland Government through programmes like Advance Queensland. These initiatives are doing more than just handing out grants—they’re helping to build capacity, create jobs, and set the stage for world-class innovation across the board.
Strong foundations: Brisbane’s sectoral focus and global reach
What makes Brisbane’s rise so noteworthy is the calibre of its specialisation. The city has carved out a strong niche in high-potential sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Life Sciences. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re areas of strategic importance to Australia’s economic future and are drawing significant investment and talent.
Startups here are increasingly geared for global markets. Take Clipchamp, a Brisbane-based video editing platform, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2021. Or Go1, a workplace learning platform that secured over $200 million in funding. These aren’t just local success stories—they’re proof that Brisbane can create scalable, exportable technology with international appeal.
And it’s not just happening in garages or co-working spaces. The ripple effect of these wins is inspiring new founders, drawing capital into the region, and solidifying Brisbane’s reputation as a place where innovation can take root and grow.
The quantum leap: Brisbane’s world-first quantum project
Perhaps the most extraordinary validation of Brisbane’s emergence as a global tech centre is PsiQuantum’s decision to base its Asia-Pacific headquarters and build the world’s first utility-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer right here.
Backed by a landmark $940 million investment from the Australian and Queensland governments, PsiQuantum’s Brisbane facility is not just a research lab—it is a full-scale industrial venture. Located in the Brisbane Airport precinct, the site will eventually house over 400 specialist staff and a network of interconnected silicon photonic chips cooled to near-cryogenic temperatures.
This is a pioneering leap, not just in scale but in concept. While quantum efforts in the US and China remain largely experimental, PsiQuantum’s design is engineered for commercial application from day one. Photonic qubits, which rely on particles of light rather than superconducting circuits, offer more stable and scalable pathways toward real-world utility.
By the end of 2027, the first phase of the computer is expected to be operational, with a longer-term goal of achieving fault tolerance and reaching one million physical qubits by 2029. These timelines may seem ambitious, but the foundations are already being laid—with cryogenic systems under construction, university partnerships signed, and test facilities coming online at Griffith University.
Skills, infrastructure, and sovereign capability
What sets this project apart isn’t just the technology—it’s the ecosystem around it. The initiative includes deep integration with Queensland’s top universities, including UQ, QUT, Griffith, USC, and USQ. These partnerships are geared not just toward research, but towards training the next generation of quantum engineers, technicians, and software experts right here in Australia.
The facility’s infrastructure is equally groundbreaking. A massive cryogenic plant, developed in partnership with Linde Engineering, will provide the stable 4 Kelvin environment necessary for quantum operation—just above the temperature of outer space. This makes Brisbane the site of one of the most complex and demanding tech installations in the southern hemisphere.
And critically, all of this is happening under Australian sovereign control. At a time when governments around the world are rethinking how to secure strategic technologies, Brisbane is offering a compelling model: local talent, global partnerships, and national capability.
Momentum building: what comes next
Brisbane’s evolution is not slowing down. With plans for future expansion already baked into PsiQuantum’s facility design—and signals of similar development in the United States—the city is positioning itself as a long-term centre for advanced computing.
Moreover, this transformation is creating knock-on opportunities across sectors. Advanced manufacturing, clean energy modelling, logistics, and pharmaceutical development all stand to benefit from the quantum and AI capabilities being developed in Brisbane. For startups, it means more infrastructure, more investment, and more opportunity. For government, it offers a blueprint for how targeted investment can unlock new economic engines.
And for global tech leaders? It’s an open invitation. Brisbane is now a place where the most ambitious ideas—ideas once thought too complex or remote—are becoming reality.
Summary: the call to action
Brisbane is no longer just a city with potential. It’s a city with momentum.
The convergence of robust startup growth, government support, international investment, and world-first quantum infrastructure is making Brisbane one of the most exciting innovation centres in the Asia-Pacific. The question is no longer whether Brisbane can play a role in the global tech economy—it’s whether you’re ready to be part of it.
Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to scale, an investor searching for the next frontier, or a policymaker aiming to future-proof your region, Brisbane deserves a place on your map. Because what’s happening here is more than growth—it’s transformation. And it’s only just beginning.
See more at: https://www.georgejamesconsulting.com/
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