From sunny beaches and tropical rainforests to urban cities and the outback, Queensland is a unique and diverse place to live and work. According to the National Skills Commission, many of Queensland’s industries – including agriculture, construction, education, engineering, mining, healthcare, hospitality and tourism – are experiencing skills shortages. That means that there are several in-demand job opportunities with great career growth.
Read on to learn more about 24 of the most in-demand and strongest-growing jobs in Queensland in 2023.
The most in-demand jobs in Queensland in 2023
Agriculture
Agricultural Consultant
Agricultural consultants provide advice to farmers, agricultural businesses and governments on the production, processing and distribution of farm products. Their role includes collecting data, improving business productivity and profitability and offering solutions to pest problems.
Aquaculture Farmer
Aquaculture farmers breed and raise fish, shellfish and other aquatic animals. Their work includes controlling environmental toxins and diseases, maintaining optimal growing conditions and planning production in line with market activity.
Forester/Forest Scientist
Foresters – or forest scientists – study, develop and manage forest areas to maintain commercial and recreational uses, conserve flora and fauna, and protect against fire, pests and diseases.
Senior Beef Cattle Station Worker
Senior Beef Cattle Station Workers perform skilled tasks on a beef cattle farm or station and manage and supervise the breeding, raising, feeding, treatment and welfare of cattle.
Construction
Building inspectors inspect buildings to ensure they comply with laws, regulations and safety standards. Their work also involves authorising and monitoring construction projects and recording environmental data.
A construction estimator calculates the cost of a construction project. They also interpret plans, regulations and codes of practice and work closely with construction managers, architects and surveyors.
Construction Project Manager
From planning and design to building and completion, construction project managers oversee all aspects of construction projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget.
Construction riggers assemble and install rigging gear, such as cables, ropes, pulleys and winches, to lift, lower, move and position equipment, structural steel and other heavy objects. Registration or licensing may be required.
Education
Early childhood teachers work with children aged three to five at preschools, kindergartens or childcare centres. They teach numeracy and literacy basics and have a strong focus on social, emotional and cognitive development.
Primary school teachers teach children between the ages of five and 13. They are responsible for creating learning materials and delivering a set curriculum in subjects such as maths, science, language, arts and social studies.
Secondary school teachers work with children aged 13 to 18 and usually specialise in one subject area. A key part of their role is also inspiring, supporting and preparing students for tertiary education and their future careers.
Special Needs Teacher
Special needs teachers teach primary and secondary school students who have special educational needs, disabilities or learning difficulties.
Engineering/Mining
A chemical engineer designs processes to convert raw materials into products such as medicines, cosmetics, food and fuel.
Civil engineers design, develop and supervise construction projects such as buildings, bridges, airports and sewerage systems. Their work includes testing materials and structures, estimating operational costs and implementing design or process improvements.
Engineering managers plan, direct and coordinate the technical operations of construction or civil engineering projects. This includes managing construction activities, preparing budgets, procuring materials and supervising workers.
Mining Engineer (excluding petroleum)
Mining engineers plan and direct the engineering aspects of locating and extracting minerals from the earth – mining engineers have some of the strongest job growth out of all engineers. Registration or licensing may be required.
Healthcare
A GP provides primary medical care in the community. Their work includes diagnosing and treating illnesses, and prescribing medications, performing minor surgery, managing chronic diseases and promoting preventative healthcare practices.
Nurse practitioners provide advanced and extended nursing care to patients, such as ordering diagnostic tests, undertaking diagnosis and health assessments, prescribing patient care management, medicines and therapies.
Physiotherapists assess, treat and prevent human movement injuries. They work in hospitals, clinics or fitness centres and design treatment plans to help patients improve their mobility, strength and function.
Registered nurses provide nursing care to patients with conditions, such as infections, metabolic disorders and degenerative conditions, which require medical intervention in a range of health and community settings. All registered nursing specialties – such as aged care, community health and mental health – will be in high demand for the foreseeable future.
Hospitality and Tourism
Chefs are professional cooks who organise the preparation and cooking of food in restaurants, cafés, hotels, motels and mobile kitchens. Their work also involves creating menus and new recipes, managing kitchen staff and complying with food safety standards.
Hotel and motel managers oversee the day-to-day operations of these venues, including managing staff, maintaining facilities and coordinating guest services, hospitality and housekeeping activities.
Tour Guide
Tour guides provide guided tours to visitors at tourist attractions, historical sites and museums. Their work involves explaining points of interest, answering questions from visitors and arranging tour itineraries and schedules.
Travel consultants plan and book travel arrangements such as flights, hotels, tours and transport. They also provide expert advice on medical and visa requirements, local tourist attractions and government regulations.
Learn more about working in Queensland
Interested in learning more about jobs and careers in Queensland? Find out more about Queensland’s skilled migration program and search the full list of in-demand jobs on Queensland’s skills priority list to kick-start your career in the Sunshine State!
