Jobs boom to hit Queensland regions

It’s expected to see the biggest growth in job numbers of any industry over the next five years, and two Queensland regions are in line to be among the biggest boom areas.

The Sunshine Coast has a fast-developing health hub at Birtinya, anchored by the $1.8 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital, which opened in 2017, pictured above. Picture: Lachie Millard

THE Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast have been named among the top three boom areas in Australia for health and social assistance jobs.

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are tipped to attract 6585 new jobs in the sector over the next five years, followed by the Sunshine Coast with 5853 and Gold Coast (5802).

The projections, which cover the period until 2023, were contained in the Regional Australia Institute’s Healthy Check-Up data announced today.

Speaking at the National Rural Health Conference in Hobart, RAI co-CEO Dr Kim Houghton said the health and social assistance industry alone would see the biggest growth in job numbers of any industry over the next five years, with 250,000 more jobs projected nationwide by May 2023.

“This presents a huge opportunity for job seekers in regional Australia, with our communities expected to see more than 34 per cent of those jobs — which equates to 85,000 new roles,” Dr Houghton said.

“This sector already accounts for 12.5 per cent of high-income jobs in regional Australia, which are those roles paying more than $104,000.

“Our Healthy Check-Up is a simple way to illustrate the economic value and contribution this sector has in our regional communities, covering more than 14 per cent of people already employed,” Dr Kim Houghton said.

“At the RAI, we are encouraging more regions to put this industry on the radar of their regional economic strategies, as it is a significant employer with great growth potential,” Dr Houghton said.

“Over the next five years, we are going to see significant demand for workers across the country, with registered nurses, child care workers and aged care staff topping the list of occupations,” Dr Houghton said.

Dr Houghton said other areas of need will be for welfare workers, psychologists, general practitioners and physiotherapists.

While many of these roles will require high skill levels (University Degree), the industry also offers lower skilled entry level positions to regional workers. In addition, the industry is also supported by a range of entry level and lower skilled non-health occupations such as cooks, cleaners, receptionists and office managers.

The Sunshine Coast has a fast-developing health hub at Birtinya, anchored by the $1.8 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital, which opened in 2017.

To find out where the jobs are now go to www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/regional-jobs-vacancy-map/