Starting a Business in Rockhampton

Published on 06 October 2025

A cafe worker smiles as she pours milk into a coffee cup while standing next to a coffee machine and servery fridge

With an emphasis on work-life balance, excellent lifestyle and connectivity, and affordable housing and commercial property, Rockhampton is an ideal base for anyone seeking to start a new business.

The Australian and Queensland Governments have plenty of information to help get your business up and running – but what do you need to know about running a business in Rockhampton?

Why start a business in Rockhampton?

The Rockhampton Region is home to around 85,000 people and is the ‘capital’ for more than 228,000 people who live in the Central Queensland area. Strong population growth is forecast for Rockhampton over coming years, which combined with the region’s diverse range of industries, presents exciting opportunities for new businesses to develop.

Local businesses are supported by Rockhampton Regional Council’s economic development arm, Advance Rockhampton, the Capricornia Chamber of Commerce and Rockhampton CBD which can offer business training, networking opportunities, advice and funding opportunities to set you up for success.

At the end of the workday, you can unwind with a walk along the Fitzroy River, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, or enjoy family time at one of our many parks.

A base for business

A man sits at a desk and talks on the phone, looking out a window overlooking Rockhampton — Rockhampton is the perfect base to run your business

Whether you’re working from home or looking to establish a shopfront, Rockhampton provides comparatively affordable opportunities to pursue your passion and open your business. The region is home to several shopping precincts and three industrial areas where you can buy or lease land for your next business venture. You can find business spaces in Rockhampton for as little as $1,500 per month.

Most of the region is serviced by NBN internet with 5G coverage available across most of the greater Rockhampton area.

Sitting at the intersection of the Bruce Highway, Capricorn Highway and Burnett Highway and with flights to Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns, you’ll never be too far away from those important meetings.

Rockhampton's growth industries

A dentist points to a screen as she discusses results with a patient — Could your business support our growing industries?

Identifying customers is a critical first step to starting a business. Rockhampton is expecting growth in industries such as agriculture, defence, energy and mining services, professional services like health and education, residential construction, tourism and events, and transport and logistics.

You could consider aligning your business plans to piggyback off the anticipated demand for services within these areas.

Advance Rockhampton

Advance Rockhampton is the economic development arm of Rockhampton Regional Council, and acts as your conduit to other businesses, industry representatives and Council itself.

The team can facilitate business connections, provide advice around planning approvals, and hosts a range of free business and industry events throughout the year including workshops especially designed for small businesses.

Once your business is up and running, be sure to post it on the Local Business Directory, and don’t forget about the Live Rockhampton toolkit to promote Rocky to your new and prospective employees.