About the Cairns economy
The Cairns region has a diverse economy with a Gross Regional Product estimated at $10.3 billion, and an annual consumer spend of 3.8 billion.
Large-scale land developments, planned or in progress to the north and the south of the city, reflect a high confidence in the Cairns economy, as well as recent announcements about significant Cairns infrastructure projects, including the conversion of an old Bunnings Hardware store site into a Screen Queensland film studio in 2022.
Consumer spending for the Cairns Local Government Area (LGA) was $325 million in May 2021, a record amount, and significantly higher than it was in May 2019 ($258 million).
The number of job advertisements appearing monthly have been increasing in Far North for some time with more than 5,500 ads displayed in July 2021.
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 13 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
- 14,000+ registered business in Cairns
- 84,400+ jobs located in Cairns
- 166,000+ estimated resident population of Cairns
- 265,000+ estimated service population for the Cairns region and surrounds
- $216m value of building approvals in the 2020-21 Nov FYTD financial year
- 87,000+ residents employed
- 6% unemployment rate
More detailed economic data about Cairns can be found using the Council's free Cairns Economic Profile tool.
Recent investment in Cairns include:
- $60 million upgrade to Cairns Central shopping centre
- $298 million upgrade to the Cairns Esplanade Dining precinct
- $55 million upgrade of Cairns Airport's domestic terminal
- $370 million set of developments by the GA group
- $10 million manufacturing hub
- $24 million investment to upgrade infrastructure in Marine Precinct in Cairns
- $12 million Spinal Life Healthy Living Centre
- $300 million enviro-development certified, masterplanned, The Palms Collection on the city's northern beaches.
- 1000-home Mt Peter Residential Estate south of Cairns city.
- $36 million, 76km Wangetti Trail between Palm Cove and Port Douglas
- Reweable energy projects near Cairns include Genex wind farm and solar PV by DP Energy and NESI Australia
- $176 million Cairns Convention Centre upgrade
- $6.8 million Screen Queensland studio planned for construction and completion in 2022
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
- AECOM Australia, GHD and Jacobs Engineering group
- Education
- James Cook University and CQUniversity
- Hotels and Accommodation
- Hilton Hotels, Oaks, Ramada, Rydges, Pullman and Crystalbrook Collection
- International
- BAE Systems and Grant Thornton