Queensland

Moderate Risk

Australia · State · Last assessed Apr 2026

Composite Score 20/25

Higher = lower risk. 22–25 LOW · 18–21 MODERATE · 13–17 ELEVATED · 8–12 HIGH · 5–7 EXTREME.

Permitting Timeline & Predictability

4/5

Capable state regulator; coal projects face higher scrutiny than metals.

Fiscal Regime Stability

3/5

Royalty changes in 2022 raised coal rates significantly; metals stable.

Political & Security Risk

5/5

Stable but Labor government has been less mining-friendly than past LNP terms.

Infrastructure & Power

4/5

Good in coal and base-metal regions; northern Queensland less developed.

Indigenous, Community & ESG

4/5

Native Title framework operational; community consultation costs typical of Australia.

Assessment Summary

Queensland hosts Mount Isa, Cannington, and significant copper-gold-base-metal endowment. Infrastructure is strong in the established mining regions and the workforce is deep.

The 2022 coal royalty increase under the previous Labor government — among the largest single-jurisdiction royalty hikes in recent memory — illustrated that fiscal stability in Queensland is not absolute. Metals royalties have not seen comparable changes but the precedent is now in the rearview mirror.

Other Australia Jurisdictions

New South Wales Moderate Risk
Northern Territory Moderate Risk
Western Australia Moderate Risk

Jurisdiction risk is one input — geology, capital structure, and management still matter. See the Verdict Framework for full company scorecards.