Almost $280,000 has been awarded to 30 community organisations across Queensland through Round 2 of the Empowering Queensland Women grants program, supporting initiatives designed to improve women’s financial confidence, employment readiness, digital skills and long-term economic security.
The grants provide up to $10,000 to community-led organisations delivering practical programs for women from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities, women experiencing domestic and family violence, young women, veterans, women experiencing homelessness and those living in regional and remote areas.
The latest funding round recognises that women can face different barriers to economic participation depending on their location, cultural background and personal circumstances.
Queensland Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson said the program was focused on giving women practical opportunities to strengthen their financial independence.
“The Empowering Queensland Women grants support community-led programs which help women to build financial capability, develop new skills, and connect with employment opportunities,” Minister Simpson said.
She said the Round 2 recipients would support women facing a variety of challenges while helping them overcome barriers to participating more fully in the economy.
Community organisations delivering practical support
Among the successful recipients are a number of organisations delivering programs focused on financial literacy, employment preparation, digital capability and economic independence.
Co.As.It Community Services Ltd received $6,106 for its Women’s Financial Wellbeing Project in Lutwyche.
The project will deliver sessions covering budgeting, superannuation, Centrelink entitlements, financial abuse, digital safety and legal rights. Participants will also be supported to develop personalised financial action plans to help strengthen their financial confidence and decision-making.
Fossung Multicultural and Education Services Inc. received $10,000 for its CALD Women’s Digital Skills and Employment Pathways Program in White Rock.
The program will support culturally and linguistically diverse women through structured workshops covering digital skills, employment readiness, financial capability and education and career pathways.
Program coordinator Precious Agwen said the funding would help women gain practical skills and greater confidence.
“This funding will make a real difference for multicultural women in Ipswich by giving them practical skills, confidence and pathways to employment,” she said.
The organisation also hopes the program will create broader benefits for families by helping mothers better support their children’s education and future career aspirations.
Multicultural Mailer Inc. received $8,500 for its Empowering Women – Skills to Success program in Hillcrest.
The initiative will provide workshops covering financial literacy, employability, digital skills, career pathways and small business basics. It will also include a community showcase designed to connect participants with employers and other stakeholders.
Picabeen Community Association Inc. received $10,000 for its Brighter Futures: Skills & Confidence for Young Women project in Mitchelton.
The trauma-informed program will support women and girls who have experienced domestic or family violence or sexual violence, with sessions covering financial literacy, employment readiness, digital literacy, workplace rights, safe job searching and managing household expenses.
Somewhere To Go Foundation received $10,000 for its Next Chapter: Financial Independence initiative in Caloundra West.
The program will support women affected by domestic and family violence as they work towards greater financial independence following separation. Workshops will cover budgeting, debt management, rebuilding financial stability, superannuation, long-term planning and online financial safety.
Supporting South Asian women through The Bangle Foundation
Among the organisations receiving funding is The Bangle Foundation, which has been awarded $10,000 for its Ghar Ka Paisa: Financial Foundations for South Asian Women program in Acacia Ridge.
The program will deliver culturally appropriate workshops focused on budgeting, financial literacy, loans and finance, digital skills, CV preparation and pathways into employment, training or micro-enterprise.
The Bangle Foundation works with women of South Asian heritage and provides culturally sensitive support, including assistance for women experiencing domestic and family abuse.
The initiative is particularly significant because financial knowledge and economic independence can play an important role in helping women gain greater control over their lives and make informed decisions about their future.
By increasing participants’ understanding of financial systems, employment pathways and digital tools, the program aims to help women build confidence and strengthen their economic independence.
Another South Asian community organisation, the FSOQ Sri Lankan Women’s Forum in Queensland, received $5,250 for its Sri Lankan Women’s Forum for Women’s Economic Security 2026 project.
The program will include workshops on employment skills, small business development, budgeting, cash flow management, banking and financial risks, along with information relating to women’s health and domestic violence support.
The inclusion of these programs highlights the importance of providing culturally relevant support for women from migrant and multicultural communities.
Broader support for women across Queensland
The funding round also includes initiatives targeting a wide range of women across the state.
Australian Women’s Motoring Network initiative Girls Torque will deliver workshops in regional areas including Charters Towers, Richmond, Hughenden, Cloncurry, Croydon and Georgetown, helping women better understand budgeting, finance and the costs associated with car ownership.
In Far North Queensland, Bori Muy will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with job-readiness skills, financial literacy, leadership development and pathways into employment, training and further education.
Women’s Legal Service Queensland will deliver sessions in Ipswich, Toowoomba, Roma, Kingaroy, Gympie and Emerald focusing on understanding personal finances and managing debt.
Salute For Service Australia will support female veterans and family members in Brisbane through targeted workshops covering budgeting, saving, superannuation and employment pathways.
On the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise Anglican Crisis Care will support women experiencing homelessness by providing mentoring and training in financial management, interview preparation and professional skills.
Building financial confidence and independence
While the funded projects vary in their focus, they share a common goal of helping women strengthen their financial security and participate more confidently in the workforce and broader economy.
For multicultural and migrant women, programs delivered through trusted community organisations can be particularly valuable.
Understanding Australian banking systems, workplace rights, superannuation, financial services and employment processes can sometimes be challenging, particularly for women who are newly arrived, socially isolated or facing language or cultural barriers.
Community-led programs can provide information in a more accessible and culturally appropriate environment while helping participants build networks and confidence.
The latest round of grants forms part of the Queensland Government’s broader focus on improving women’s economic outcomes and financial security.
For the 30 organisations receiving support, the funding provides an opportunity to turn relatively small grants into practical outcomes at a community level.
Whether through budgeting workshops, digital training, employment preparation, small business education or support for women rebuilding their lives after domestic violence, the initiatives aim to provide women with skills that can create longer-term change.
For Queensland’s multicultural communities, the inclusion of organisations such as The Bangle Foundation, Fossung Multicultural and Education Services, Multicultural Mailer and the Sri Lankan Women’s Forum also reflects the importance of ensuring economic empowerment programs reach women from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Ultimately, the success of the program will be measured not only by the number of workshops delivered, but by the confidence, independence and opportunities women are able to build as a result.
