The Gold Coast consortium has taken another giant step towards being issued a full licence to become the 17th AFL club after the Rudd government announced on Thursday it was kicking in $36 million for the new stadium.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese joined Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and AFL boss Andrew Demetriou to make the funding announcement for the revamped 25,000-seat stadium at Carrara.

The Queensland government has promised $60 million, with the AFL and Gold Coast City Council also chipping in towards the $126 million bill.

"It has been a long time in the making, these things don't happen overnight," said Demetriou.

"The dream of the Gold Coast football club is now a reality."

Demetriou said the issuing of a full AFL licence to the Gold Coast consortium was imminent.

The final step will come when the ownership of the stadium land is transferred from the local council to the state government.

Gold Coast are scheduled to enter the AFL competition in 2011, a year ahead of a western Sydney club.

The revamped venue at Carrara could also be used to host major events being sought for Queensland such as a future Commonwealth Games and matches in the soccer and cricket World Cups.

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