Let $q(G)$ denote the $Q$-index of a graph $G$, which is the largest signless Laplacian eigenvalue of $G$. We prove best possible upper bounds of $q(G)$ and best possible lower bounds of $q(\overline{G})$ for a connected graph $G$ to be $k$-connected and maximally connected, respectively. Similar upper bounds of $q(G)$ and lower bounds of $q(\overline{G})$ to assure $G$ to be super-connected are also obtained. Upper bounds of $q(G)$ and lower bounds of $q(\overline{G})$ to assure a connected triangle-free graph $G$ to be $k$-connected, maximally connected and super-connected are also respectively investigated.