About the Cairns economy
The Cairns region has a diverse economy with a Gross Regional Product estimated at $11.46 billion.
Large-scale land developments in the city, planned or in progress, reflect a high confidence in the Cairns economy. Examples include the recent investment in Screen Queensland studio, expansion of the marine precinct, the development of the FNQ Health and Innovation Precinct, and Cairns Airport's investment in their Eastern Precinct.
The number of job advertisements appearing monthly have been consistently higher than 6,000 ads each month through 2024.
The largest industry in Cairns by employment is Healthcare and Social Assistance. The healthcare industry is also the biggest contributor in dollar value, accounting for 19 per cent of the Cairns economy. Other significant contributing industries include transport, warehousing, public administration and safety, and construction.
The construction industry is second-largest employer of people in the Cairns region, and accounts for more local businesses than any other industry.
Cairns economy in numbers
- 14,800+ registered business in Cairns
- 88,500+ jobs located in Cairns
- 175,000+ estimated resident population of Cairns
- 289,900+ estimated service population for the Cairns region and surrounds
- $297m value of building approvals in the 2024-25 FYTD (January) financial year
- 97,700+ residents employed
- 2.9% unemployment rate
More detailed economic data about Cairns can be found using the Council's free Cairns Economic Profile tool.
Explore the current major projects around the city and region via Construction Skills Queensland's Project Explorer.
Business and agencies in Cairns with a large staff base and/or international/ national networks include:
- Government
- 15 Commonwealth Government offices and agencies, including Australian Federal Police and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
- Queensland Government has a full range of agencies based in Cairns including Health, Education, Justice, Transport, Fisheries, Natural Assets Management and Environment.
- Health
- Queensland Health and Ramsay Health
- Major retail
- Myer, Coles, Woolworths, IGA, Kmart, Big W, Bunnings, Officeworks, Lendlease, Stockland
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- AECOM Australia, Arup, Besix Watpac, GHD, Keir, Hansen Yuncken, Jacobs Engineering Group, Perrott Engineering, and Cairns Steel Fabricators
- Aviation
- Cairns Airport (North Queensland Airport Group), Jet Aviation, Skytek, Skytrans, and Nautilus Aviation
- Marine and Defence
- Ports North, Austal, Norship, Tropical Reef Shipyard, Norsta (RMC North East), HMAS Cairns, BAE Systems, and Seaswift
- Education
- James Cook University, CQUniversity, TAFE Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College, and Cairns Aviation Skills Centre (Aviation Australia)
- Hotels, Accommodation and Tourism
- Hilton Hotels, Oaks, Ramada, Novotel, Rydges, Pullman, Shangri-la, Holiday Inn and Crystalbrook Collection, CaPTA Group, Experience Co
- Advisory
- Grant Thornton
NB this is an indicative rather than exhaustive list.