A sustainable racing industry in Queensland
In 2021–22, the Queensland racing industry contributed approximately $1.9 billion to Queensland’s economy and supported nearly 14,000 jobs. The Queensland racing industry, across all three codes (greyhound, thoroughbred and harness), also continued to maintain operations during COVID–19 restrictions and lock-downs.
The Office of Racing oversees the administration of the
Racing Act 2002 (Qld), provides policy support on racing matters to the Minister for Racing, and administers funding to support the industry through Racing Queensland (RQ).
Country Racing Program
Racing is an important part of the social and economic fabric of many rural and regional communities in Queensland.
The Country Racing Program represents a commitment of $105.6 million from 2017–18 to 2022–23, across the state. This funding enables RQ to sustain country thoroughbred racing with support of $17.6 million per year.
Each year the Country Racing Program provides $15 million to support prize money and bonuses, club meeting payments, jockey riding fees, superannuation, and WorkCover expenses. There is an additional $2.6 million a year for country racing infrastructure.
Racing Infrastructure Fund
The Racing Infrastructure Fund provides for priority infrastructure projects to support the growth and sustainability of the Queensland racing industry, creating local jobs and contributing to Queensland’s economic growth.
Major racing infrastructure projects receiving support in 2021–22 included:
- the Gold Coast Turf Club Tracks and Lights project
- the Sunshine Coast Turf Club synthetic track
- the Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre near Ipswich.
Betting tax returns to racing
On 12 June 2021, the Government announced it would expand its commitment to racing with 35% of revenue from the state’s Point of Consumption betting tax to be returned to racing.
In 2021–22, the department delivered $54.25 million to RQ under this commitment.
Service area performance
Objective: Administer the
Racing Act 2002 (Qld) and manage programs that support a viable, prosperous racing industry in Queensland.
Description: The service area:
- provides policy advice to government on the administration of the
Racing Act 2002 (Qld) and matters relevant to the commercial operation and sustainability of the racing industry
- administers programs related to the provision of Queensland Government funding to the racing industry.
Racing performance measures
| Service standards
Effectiveness measure
Percentage of country race meetings in the approved schedule that are conducted | 90% | 94% |
Efficiency measure
Average cost per hour of policy advice and support 1 | $81.18 | $84.47 |
Notes:
- The variance between the 2021–22 Target/Estimate and the 2021–22 Actual reflects changes in the pay classification level of the staff involved in the provision of policy advice and support for the Racing function.