Queensland: Regional Career Pathways Calculator
Which careers are growing in your region? Select your Queensland Education region to see real workforce projections from Jobs Queensland — and discover which qualifications your students need for the jobs that actually exist locally.
Explore Regional Projections
Select your QLD Education region below. Data is sourced from Jobs Queensland Anticipating Future Skills (AFS) Series 4 & 5.
Explore Your Region
Select your QLD Education region and optionally filter by industry to see targeted projections for your area.
Total new jobs by 2028
State average growth
SA4 regions state-wide
Top Region × Industry Combinations
| Region | Industry | New Jobs | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Health Care & Social Assistance | +7,200 | 14.1% |
| Brisbane Inner City | Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | +5,200 | 9.5% |
| Sunshine Coast | Health Care & Social Assistance | +5,100 | 15.8% |
| Townsville | Health Care & Social Assistance | +4,500 | 16.2% |
| Wide Bay | Health Care & Social Assistance | +4,200 | 17% |
| Gold Coast | Accommodation & Food Services | +4,100 | 11.2% |
| Gold Coast | Construction | +3,800 | 8.5% |
| Ipswich | Health Care & Social Assistance | +3,400 | 14.5% |
| Logan–Beaudesert | Health Care & Social Assistance | +3,100 | 13.8% |
| Brisbane Inner City | Health Care & Social Assistance | +3,100 | 10.2% |
| Gold Coast | Education & Training | +2,900 | 7.8% |
| Sunshine Coast | Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | +2,800 | 12.1% |
| Townsville | Public Administration & Safety | +2,800 | 13.5% |
| Central Queensland | Mining | +2,800 | 8.5% |
| Central Queensland | Health Care & Social Assistance | +2,600 | 14.2% |
Fastest-Growing Occupations (State-wide)
Aged & Disabled Carers
+16.2%Renewable Energy Technicians
+15.2%Registered Nurses
+14.8%Child Care Workers
+13.5%Software & Applications Programmers
+12.8%Allied Health Professionals
+12.4%Medical Practitioners
+11.8%Defence Force Members
+11.5%Chefs
+11.5%Electrical Engineers
+10.8%ICT Business & Systems Analysts
+10.5%Police Officers
+10.2%How This Tool Works
Understanding the data behind the projections.
Jobs Queensland AFS Data
Employment projections come from the Anticipating Future Skills (AFS) program — Queensland Government's official five-year labour market modelling at SA4 region, industry, and occupation level.
Region Mapping
We map ABS SA4 statistical areas to QLD Department of Education regions so you can find data relevant to your school's geographic context — not just abstract statistical boundaries.
Qualification Alignment
Each occupation is tagged with its minimum typical qualification level (AQF), so you can see exactly which VET pathways or degree programs prepare students for growing careers.
Download the Full Report (PDF)
Get the complete Queensland Regional Career Pathways Report with all data tables, methodology, and downloadable charts.
Data Sources
All projections are based on publicly available Queensland Government data.
- The Right Skills Strategy 2025–2028Queensland Government's $5 billion skills and training investment plan for 430,000 new job opportunities by 2028.
- Right Skills Strategy — PublicationFull strategy PDF with detailed industry projections and regional data.
- 430,000 New Jobs AnnouncementMinisterial statement announcing the 430,000 new job opportunities projection.
- Jobs Queensland — Anticipating Future SkillsFlagship research program providing five-year employment projections by region, industry, and occupation.
- AFS Data PortalInteractive dashboard with projections by region, industry, occupation, and qualification level.
- AFS Data ExplorerAdvanced tool for custom region × industry × occupation projections.
- AFS Fast 5 Facts for RegionsQuick-reference regional fact sheets per AFS series.
- AFS Series 4 ReportFive-year employment projections to June 2026 with 207,000 additional workers needed.
- Brighter Futures Education StrategyQueensland Education's overarching strategy for delivering excellence in every state school.
- Brighter Futures — Ministerial AnnouncementMinisterial statement on the Brighter Futures strategy and its five priority areas.
- Career Ready VET in Schools — SAS ContractingDetails on the Career Ready program launching in 2026 school year with TAFE-led VET delivery.
- Training Priorities PlanAnnual plan mapping skilling priorities and informing investment decisions.
- Queensland Open Data PortalCKAN API access for CSV/Excel government datasets including education and workforce data.
- QGSO Economic ProjectionsDownloadable employment projection data by LGA and industry from the Queensland Government Statistician.
- Jobs and Skills Australia — National DataFederal national employment projections to May 2035 for cross-reference.
- APACS Submission to Productivity CommissionData on student-to-counsellor ratios across Australian states including Queensland.
- Region & Industry Guide — Jobs QueenslandMethodology for regional workforce planning used in AFS projections.
This tool is published by TEX for informational and educational purposes. Employment projections are modelled by Jobs Queensland and may differ from actual outcomes. Region mappings from SA4 to Education regions are approximations. For corrections or updates, contact edu-support@tex.inc.