Increased unemployment rate highlights importance of Queensland resource sector jobs - QRC

THE Queensland resources sector can help put downward pressure on the state’s increasing unemployment rate with more than 1300 vacancies currently advertised.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said Queensland’s trend unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percent to 6.3 percent –a two-year high – which was disappointing, but the resources sector was offering hundreds of opportunities across the state.

Mr Macfarlane said the QRC was surveying its member company chief executive officers to understand their employment intentions.  QRC will release those findings soon in its quarterly State of the Sector report.

“Already we know unemployment rates in mining regions are well below the State average.  Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday is below 5 percent,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Resource sector employers are currently advertising 1360 positions across Queensland in resources, mining and energy on seek.com.au.”

Mr Macfarlane said 980 of those advertised jobs – or almost three quarters – pay more than $100,000 per annum.

“These are good jobs in a great industry in the best State of Australia,” he said.

The advertised positions by region, noting some roles are advertised in multiple regions, are:

• Mackay and Coalfields 499
• Brisbane 342
• Gladstone and Central Queensland 125
• Western Queensland 105
• Townsville 83
• Mount Isa 82
• Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast 66
• Toowoomba and Darling Downs 50
• Cairns and Far North Queensland 43
• Sunshine Coast 9
• Bundaberg and Wide Bay 8

www.qrc.org.au

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