Queensland’s racing industry is more than a sport. It is part of the state’s identity, woven through regional towns, metropolitan centres and generations of families who contribute to it with passion and pride. For this legacy to continue, the industry must operate on a foundation that is transparent, accountable and financially stable.
A strong, stable working model is not just about short-term performance, it is about ensuring that every decision, process and partnership strengthens the long-term future of the industry. To achieve this, reforms will focus on improving governance capability, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and ensuring racing maintains its public confidence and its social license.
A key priority is to deliver a streamlined racing governance model
The current arrangements between Racing Queensland (RQ) and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) have served an important purpose in supporting the state’s racing industry and ensuring integrity across the three codes.
However, these arrangements have also created overlap in certain functions and vulnerabilities in others. Different data collections, varying reporting periods, and administrative responsibilities shared across two departments have led to inefficiencies and inconsistencies.
The Queensland Government will facilitate a move to a modernised structure that provides clearer lines of accountability, reduces duplication and strengthens coordination across the industry.
Stewarding and integrity functions will remain the independent responsibility of QRIC, while operational support functions will sit with RQ. This separation preserves the integrity of decision making while enabling efficiencies and a more coordinated approach to delivering services.
A Commissioner of Stewards role will report directly to the Minister for Racing, with a secondary line of engagement with the RQ Board to maintain transparency. Co-location of shared services will strengthen collaboration while protecting the independence of integrity functions. This hybrid model will be enshrined in legislation to give the industry confidence and certainty.
Once the transition is complete, RQ will lead a detailed review of operational areas such as programming, handicapping and grading, ensuring the governance model delivers practical improvements for participants and spectators alike.
A new operating model – ‘hybrid’ organisational model for governance and integrity.
Broaden expertise on the Racing Queensland Board
Reform will also extend to the composition and capability of the RQ Board. The Board will be strengthened to include members with expertise in integrity and country racing, ensuring a wider breadth of industry knowledge is represented in decision making. The three code-specific positions will remain, preserving the voice of each discipline. All members will be permitted to own racehorses or greyhounds, provided appropriate declarations are made. To further ground Board members in the realities of the industry they serve, the government will consider directing a portion of their first-year remuneration to travel, enabling them to engage with race clubs and stakeholders across Queensland’s vast racing community.
Strengthen clubs across Queensland
Strong governance at the club level is equally important. The sustainability of Queensland racing depends on race clubs that are well run, financially responsible and connected to their local communities. To support this, a series of governance measures will be pursued. RQ will assist clubs in working towards each club having at least one accredited director. As part of this initiative, a tailored governance training program will be developed for race club directors and committee members, providing them with the skills and tools to manage clubs effectively.
Clubs will also be required to publish their Annual General Meeting and Extraordinary General Meeting minutes on the RQ website, and to provide templated annual and mid-year financial reports to RQ. These reforms will strengthen transparency, protect members and sponsors, and ensure clubs are accountable to their communities.
Put Queensland racing first
The Racing Australia voting structure is heavily weighted towards NSW and Victoria which have the right to veto. The Queensland Government will offer its support to RQ to advocate for reform to the voting structure to ensure fairness and better alignment with the interests of all states and territories.
This is an ambitious goal that will aim to help deliver stronger national coordination and reflect Queensland’s significant contribution to the Australian racing landscape.
Other initiatives
Introduce ‘Super Maidens’
The popular ‘Super Maiden’ concept will be explored for Queensland, with weekly races offering enhanced stakes for horses that are yet to win a race. A tiered system with designated races across the week will aim to provide greater returns to participants sooner and enhance the quality of midweek and non-TAB fields.
Restructure incentive schemes
RQ will seek to restructure the QTIS, QBRED and QGOLD schemes to extend racing careers and support post-racing outcomes. Grandfathering provisions will ensure that horses already enrolled under the existing programs continue to receive benefits under the new arrangements.
The Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme (QTIS)
The QTIS was designed to reward local breeding, but recent structures such as QTISx have underperformed, with only 48% of its FY24 budget utilised. While this program will be discontinued, a new scheme known as QTIS Life will be introduced. This program will seek to reward QTIS-eligible non-TAB starters to extend racing careers and promote grassroots participation. RQ will examine the re-introduction of the QTIS registration fee to ensure the incentive scheme remains financially sustainable into the future.
QBRED
A new QBRED payment schedule will be introduced for harness. This realigns the bonus model to an appearance-based structure that supports consistent participation. This will provide harness participants with equitable distributions across horse ages and create a clear incentive for horses to remain active over several years, without disproportionately rewarding a smaller cohort of high-performing animals.
QGOLD
The QGOLD greyhound scheme will be restructured with a portion of the Starter and Win Bonus payments to be reallocated to a new Greyhound Retirement Program. This reallocation improves long-term welfare outcomes by funding a lifetime care program for retired greyhounds, while still preserving modest incentives for owners and trainers to campaign their greyhounds.
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Strong foundations
We’re committed to delivering modern and fit for purpose racing infrastructure across Queensland to improve the safety, functionality and livelihood of our race clubs.
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Country racing
Country racing is central to Queensland’s regional and rural communities, offering more than just a sporting spectacle.
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Integrity
Integrity must be the foundation of the Queensland racing industry. It underpins community confidence, protects animal welfare, and ensures a fair and transparent sport for all.
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Animal welfare
Animal welfare must remain at the heart of all racing codes in Queensland.
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Racing for the community
Racing has long been a source of connection and opportunity in Queensland.
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An Industry we can all be proud of
Queensland should aspire to be a racing powerhouse, with everyone to play their part to build a stronger, smarter, and more connected sector.
Last updated: 06 Dec 2025