Give it a Go campaign: Where to find work in Queensland

With more than 200,000 Queenslanders out of work, a new campaign has been launched to get people to places where there’s plenty of jobs.

Regional cafes are having to shorten their opening hours because they can’t find enough staff, prompting the State Government to launch a nationwide jobs campaign.

The new Give it a Go campaign was developed after it was revealed thousands of jobs needed filling during the busy summer period, despite more than 200,000 Queenslanders being out of work.

It’s understood some of the jobs have been advertised for weeks.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the campaign had been created following feedback with industry.

“We’ve got a jobs bonanza in Queensland,” she said.

“With the reopening of our borders and a market blitz in New South Wales and Victoria, we’re seeing thousands of tourists booking holidays in Queensland over Christmas.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Photo: Annette Dew

The Premier said where possible, she wanted Queenslanders taking up the jobs.

“But there are so many positions up for grabs, we’re also widening the search to other states,” she said.

“Whether it’s being a barista in Barcaldine, a waiter in the Whitsundays or a kitchen hand in Cairns, our regional centres have jobs on hand and they want to see you now.”

As part of the campaign, job seekers will be entitled to have their travel costs slashed by $300 when travelling with Greyhound Queensland to help get to their destination, while Queensland Rail’s Regional Workforce fare will also offer 60 per cent off one-way tickets along the coast between Brisbane to Cairns until the end of January.

Give it a Go campaign. Photo: SUPPLIED

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said with closure of the Australian border, there were fewer young travellers to take up jobs in Queensland’s tourism industry.

“New data shows there is an increase of more than 30 per cent in tourism job vacancies to be filled,” he said.

“For young Queenslanders who’ve just finished school, snapping up a job in the regional tourism industry is a great gap-year adventure.

“And we know there are many older people travelling around the state in campers and caravans who also want work to cover petrol costs or extra spending money.”

To qualify for the discounted offers, workers will need evidence of a job offer.