Under its 2015/16 national budget, the Australian Federal government has allocated AUD8 million (USD6.43 million) in funding to develop international passenger processing facilities at Townsville and Sunshine Coast airports. According to Australian Aviation news, the added facilities will allow both airports to develop international networks having so far been restricted to scheduled domestic and trans-Tasman charter flights.

“The Government will provide AUD26.2 million (including AUD6.9 million in capital funding) over four years from 2015-16 to establish permanent border clearance services at Townsville and Sunshine Coast airports to support regular international air services,” a budget briefing said.

Though Sunshine Coast's international flights are currently restricted to seasonal Air New Zealand (NZ, Auckland International) charters to Auckland International in New Zealand, Townsville will make a return to the international stage this September when Jetstar Airways (JQ, Melbourne Airport) begins a 3x weekly service to Denpasar, Indonesia.