Australian EnterpriseAI Index

Queensland

Rank #4 of 8Q3 2026

Composite

51.2

out of 100

Adapting

Pillar Scores

Sovereignty

55.1

-1.9 vs national avg (57.0)

Domestic Ownership Share (35%)

Data Residency Enforcement (25%)

SOCI Critical Infra Coverage (25%)

FIRB Scrutiny Depth (15%)

Grid Impact

48.1

+0.3 vs national avg (47.8)

Load vs. Headroom (35%)

Renewable Mix at Connection (25%)

Transmission Queue Pressure (20%)

Demand-Response Participation (20%)

Water

48.7

+0.6 vs national avg (48.1)

Draw vs. Regional Stress (40%)

Recycled/Non-Potable Adoption (30%)

Disclosure to Water Authorities (30%)

Carbon

48.9

-0.6 vs national avg (49.5)

Emissions Intensity per MW (35%)

PPA/Offset Coverage (30%)

Scope 2/3 Disclosure Quality (20%)

Trajectory (15%)

Local Employment

52.1

+1.1 vs national avg (51.0)

Permanent Ops Jobs Ratio (35%)

Skilled-Trades Pipeline (25%)

Community Investment Commitments (25%)

Local Procurement Share (15%)

Planning Risk

50.9

+0.9 vs national avg (50.0)

DA Approval Timeliness (30%)

Community Objection Rate (25%)

Zoning/Heritage/Env. Flags (25%)

Planning Pathway Maturity (20%)

Workload Portability

52.0

+1.0 vs national avg (51.0)

Multi-Region Failover Capability (35%)

Interconnect Diversity (30%)

Vendor/Cloud Concentration (20%)

Standards-Based Portability (15%)

Public Accountability

53.6

+0.0 vs national avg (53.6)

Consultation Quality (30%)

Environmental/Social Disclosure (30%)

Complaint Resolution Track Record (25%)

Regulator Transparency (15%)

Grid Impact, Water, and Planning Risk are inverse-scored: higher = lower strain.

Recent Signals

The evidence behind this quarter's score — every number here traces back to a sourced signal.

We will create a legal obligation for the next generation of large-scale data centres… to build new renewable generation – and firming – to … ensure data centres do not increase power prices for Australians.

positive

This article is about the impact of data centres on the electricity grid and potential measures to mitigate price increases, making it relevant to the AAIRF. The primary pillar measured is grid_impact, as it discusses the strain on the grid and potential solutions. The article has a moderate positive sentiment, as it presents potential solutions to the problem, and has a magnitude of 0.5 due to its Tier 2 research classification.

RenewEconomy · Sept 2026 · Tier 2Source

The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) Tony Mahar on Tuesday announced the launch of a “hold harmless” approach, developed over 12 months in consultation with renewables developers, government agencies, insurance organisations, farming and landholder groups.

positive

This article is relevant because it discusses renewable energy developments and their impact on the electricity grid, which is related to the grid_impact pillar of the AAIRF. The proposal for a national standard to address farmer insurance fears is a positive development for the growth of renewable energy infrastructure. The article primarily measures the grid_impact pillar, as it discusses the potential costs and liabilities associated with renewable energy developments.

RenewEconomy · Sept 2026 · Tier 2Source

Another two big batteries compete for grid access at new energy hub located next to shuttered coal generators

positive

This article is relevant because it discusses the development of new energy infrastructure, specifically battery storage projects, which can impact the electricity grid's capacity to support AI infrastructure growth. The article primarily measures the 'grid_impact' pillar, as it discusses the connection of new batteries to the grid and the potential strain on transmission capacity. The sentiment is moderately positive due to the approval of new projects, indicating an increase in grid capacity and resilience.

RenewEconomy · Sept 2026 · Tier 2Source

Australia’s first grid-connected, industrial-scale sodium-sulfur battery has been switched on at the site of a materials processing plant in Brisbane, where it will help power the plants operations while also demonstrating the novel long-duration storage technology under real-life conditions.

positive

This article is relevant to the AAIRF framework as it discusses the implementation of a grid-connected sodium-sulfur battery in Brisbane, which impacts the electricity grid capacity. The primary pillar measured is grid_impact, as the article highlights the battery's ability to stabilize renewable energy output and provide peak load shaving. The sentiment is positive due to the successful commissioning of the battery, and the magnitude is moderate as it is a Tier 2 source with sector-wide significance.

RenewEconomy · Sept 2026 · Tier 2Source

Overlooked challenge: Data centre boom could lift e-waste load 10-fold, increase forever chemical risks

negative

The article discusses the potential environmental impact of a data centre boom, which is relevant to AI infrastructure growth in Australia. It primarily measures the 'grid_impact' pillar, as it touches on the strain that increased e-waste and chemical risks could put on the grid and surrounding systems. The sentiment is negative due to the potential increase in e-waste and chemical risks.

RenewEconomy · Sept 2026 · Tier 2Source

Compare States

All states

Track Queensland Infrastructure Readiness

Get Q3 2026 when it drops

Free quarterly report, alongside the Australian Enterprise AI Index.

Subscribe — free