Brisbane Job Market Guide: Industries, Salaries and Employment Opportunities

Brisbane's employment market is growing faster than Sydney or Melbourne due to the city's strong population growth (net interstate migration, overseas migration) and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics infrastructure pipeline, which is expected to generate $10 billion+ in construction and infrastructure employment over the next decade. The resources sector (coal, LNG, metals) feeds significant royalty and corporate revenue into the Queensland government budget and supports significant professional employment in the Brisbane CBD.

Resources and energy — while the mining operations are in regional Queensland (Bowen Basin coal, Surat Basin gas, north Queensland metals), Brisbane houses the headquarters, management, and professional services operations of companies including BHP, Glencore, Rio Tinto (QLD operations), QGC (Shell), Santos, and Origin Energy. Resources sector professional employment in Brisbane commands among the highest salaries in the Australian market, with FIFO (fly-in fly-out) operational roles to site adding further earning opportunity.

Construction and infrastructure — the Cross River Rail, the Olympic infrastructure pipeline, the Coomera Connector, and the continuing south-east Queensland residential construction boom keep construction as one of Brisbane's largest growth employment sectors. Licensed trades are in particularly high demand; electricians and plumbers are regularly the highest-paid workers on south-east Queensland construction sites.

Technology and digital — Brisbane's tech sector is growing rapidly, with SEEK, Suncorp Group, Super Retail Group, and a number of global tech firms establishing or expanding Brisbane operations. The Fortitude Valley and Newstead technology precinct has developed as a centre of tech employment. Salaries are typically 15 to 25% below Sydney equivalents but the cost of living differential narrows the gap significantly.

Healthcare and aged care — Metro North and Metro South Health Networks, the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital employ tens of thousands across the metropolitan area. Healthcare is the fastest-growing employment sector in Queensland, driven by the state's demographic growth and ageing population.

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