Ground cover plays an important role in Australia’s environmental, agricultural and economic sustainability. It is effective in reducing the loss of sediments through wind and water erosion and supports a diverse range of biodiversity. The Queensland Remote Sensing Centre (RSC) in the Queensland Government has an established ground cover monitoring program. The Queensland Ground Cover Monitoring Program (QGCMP) uses satellite imagery and field data to research and develop state-wide, regional and local ground cover mapping and monitoring products. The products support government legislation, conservation efforts and land management initiatives. The QGCMP is based on the extensive archives and processing streams for Landsat and other imagery. The Program developed the Ground Cover Index (GCI) which uses~ 25 years of Landsat TM/ETM+ imagery and field data to quantify ground cover levels. The resultant index was applied across Queensland with an RMSE of 12.9%. Subsequent additions and improvements to the QGCMP have included: establishment of a supporting field monitoring program including research of new field-based technologies; development of new unmixing algorithms for fractional vegetation cover; research and development of systems and methods for time-series analysis for more regular monitoring; and, cross-calibrations between sensors for deriving and modelling biomass and other ground cover metrics. This paper outlines some of the research undertaken and products developed for the QGCMP and discusses the application of the products in key state and federal government policies and initiatives.