Jobs in Cairns Australia: Complete Jobseeker Guide

Cairns is more than just a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef; it is a vibrant economic hub for Far North Queensland. The local job market is diversifying, moving beyond its traditional tourism core to embrace healthcare, education, and specialised trades. For jobseekers, both local and international, understanding these shifting tides is the key to securing a high-performing career in 2025.

The Cairns region is projected to add over 12,800 new jobs in the coming years, showcasing resilience and solid growth across several major sectors. If you are looking for jobs in Cairns Australia, this guide provides a data-driven map of where the true opportunities lie.

The Cairns Job Market Outlook for 2025

The employment landscape in Far North Queensland is set for continued expansion, with a strong focus on community services and infrastructure. While the entire state of Queensland is seeing strong growth, Cairns specifically stands out with significant predicted job creation. This growth is primarily concentrated in sectors that cater to an ageing population and a resurgent tourism industry.

Top 3 Largest Employing Industries (Based on recent data):

1. Health Care and Social Assistance: This remains the largest employer by a significant margin.
2. Education and Training: An essential sector supporting the region’s growing need for skilled professionals.
3. Accommodation and Food Services: The engine of the local economy, this sector is also seeing the fastest projected employment growth.

-> Jobs in Cairns: Top Hiring Companies

High-Demand Jobs in Cairns: Where to Focus Your Search

Cairns employers often report difficulty finding suitable applicants with the right technical skills and experience. This skills shortage translates directly into high-demand job opportunities for qualified professionals and tradespeople.

1. The Healthcare and Community Services Boom

The demand for medical professionals and support staff is acute. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest industry in Cairns, accounting for over 20% of local jobs.

• Registered Nurses (RNs) and General Practitioners (GPs): These roles are consistently advertised due to ongoing patient demand. Salary ranges for Registered Nurses can often reach AUD128,381.
• Aged Care Employees (ACE) / Assistants in Nursing (AIN): Driven by an ageing population, these essential support roles offer steady employment.
• Child Carers and Health and Welfare Support Workers: High growth is projected in welfare and support roles catering to community needs.

2. The Resurgence of Tourism and Hospitality

Accommodation and Food Services is projected to experience the fastest growth in the Cairns region. More than one in five new jobs are expected to be in tourism-supporting industries.

• Retail Managers and Sales Assistants: The retail trade sector is seeing strong recovery and hiring.
• Hospitality Managers and Head Chefs: Skilled management roles in restaurants and hotels are consistently in demand, with Head Chef salaries often reaching up to AUD105,000.
• FOH and All-Rounders: Baristas, waiters, and front-of-house staff are constantly sought after, often providing excellent opportunities for casual and seasonal work.

3. Trades, Transport, and Specialised Technical Roles

Infrastructure projects and specialised services provide solid, high-paying career paths. This category covers a diverse range of long-term opportunities in Cairns.

• Fabricator/Boilermaker and Welders: The local marine and defence manufacturing precincts, including the Regional Maintenance Centres for the Navy, create secure employment for skilled trades.
• Electricians and Motor Mechanics: Essential trades roles are among the top occupations recruited in the region.
• Truck Drivers and Mobile Plant Operators: The Transport, Postal, and Warehousing sector has seen significant recent growth, creating a need for logistics and transport professionals.
• Engineers and Technicians: Roles in mechanical engineering, aviation, and ICT are supported by the Cairns Regional Manufacturing Hub, which focuses on developing advanced capabilities.

Search for your next Cairns role right now! Browse the latest Dr.Job listings for Registered Nurses, Boilermakers, and Hospitality Managers in the Far North Queensland region.

Cairns Salary Benchmarks by Industry

Understanding local compensation is vital for any job negotiation. While the average salary in Cairns is around AUD56,000, specific skilled sectors offer much higher earning potential.

Note: These figures are compiled from recent salary data for the Cairns and Far North Queensland region and serve as a reliable benchmark for 2025.

Cairns and Far North Queensland Free Salary Checker!

A Guide for International Workers: Visas and Regional Migration

Cairns is classified as a regional area, which offers distinct advantages for skilled migrants seeking to work in Australia. The Australian government provides specific regional visa pathways to address local skills shortages.

The Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA)

The Cairns region operates under the FNQ DAMA. This is a five-year labour agreement between the Australian Government and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, designed to help local businesses recruit skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers when Australians cannot be found.

Key FNQ DAMA Pathways:

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): A popular route offering a five-year visa. After three years with a DAMA-approved employer, workers may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): This visa pathway also allows you to live, work, and study in a designated regional area like Cairns for up to five years, with a path to permanent residency after three years.

Essential Steps for Skilled Migrants

1. Skills Assessment: You must have a suitable skills assessment for your occupation.
2. Employer Sponsorship: For DAMA visas (494, etc.), your employer must first be endorsed by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
3. Check Concessions: The FNQ DAMA may offer concessions to the standard skilled migration criteria, such as salary requirements or English language proficiency, making the visa process more accessible for certain high-demand roles.

Seeking jobs in Cairns Australia as an international worker requires a strategic approach focused on these high-priority sectors and regional visa schemes. Leverage the demand for healthcare, trades, and tourism skills to solidify your position.

Securing Your Job in Cairns: Practical Advice

The market is hot, but competition remains for top-tier roles. Your job search needs to be targeted and backed by expertise.

• Focus on Local Certifications: For trades and technical roles, specific Australian-recognised certifications (like Cert III/IV in VET) significantly boost your employability.
• Network Locally: The Cairns business community is well-connected. Attending local industry events can be more valuable than solely relying on online applications.
• Highlight Soft Skills: Employers consistently cite a lack of suitable applicants who possess both technical and soft skills. Emphasise adaptability, problem-solving, and communication in your application materials.

Cairns offers a dynamic work environment with a lifestyle few cities can match. By targeting the booming Health, Education, and Trade sectors, and understanding the regional migration advantages, you can successfully navigate the job market in 2025. Start your focused job search today.

Ready to advance your career in Far North Queensland? Dr.Job Pro offers advanced AI tools to refine your resume and match your skills to the most in-demand jobs in Cairns Australia. Start your journey toward a rewarding regional career.

About the Author Written by Suleiman Alnsour — Marketing at Dr.Job, with expertise in recruitment, HR tech, and future of work trends.