Labour Force

At the time of the 2006 census the Cairns workforce was largely technicians and trade workers (16.7%) with professional (15.4%) and clerical workers (13.9%) being the next largest groups.

Click on the graphs below for details of the demograhic of the Cairns Region workforce

Although the financial circumstances of 2008-09 resulted in an increase in local unemployment levels particularly in the construction and hospitality sectors initiatives from the local business community supported by the Australian and Queensland government's economic stimulus meaures has seen this trend arrested. Employment opportunties are expected to increase as the resource sector returns to strength. This will create demand for engineers, tradespersons and support staff. 

The area is well serviced by commercial recruitment agencies and Jobs Services Australia providers. Most local employers advertise their vacancies through the regional newspaper the The Cairns Post.

The Cairns region is well known for its highly educated, diverse and services orientated workforce. The city of Cairns ranked in the top 10 % of all Queensland shires in the 2006 measure of education and occupation advantage and disadvanatge.