Queensland Skills & Careers Outlook
430,000 new jobs by 2028. This data-driven report maps Queensland's workforce transformation — priority industries, regional growth hotspots, and what it means for school career pathway programs. Sourced from the Right Skills Strategy, Jobs Queensland, and Brighter Futures.
Key Findings
The headline numbers from Queensland's workforce transformation and education strategy.
Priority Industries
Six industries are growing faster than Queensland's 6.2% state average. Health Care & Social Assistance leads at 12.7%, creating 62,400 new jobs.
Employment Growth Rate by Industry (5-Year Projection)
What “Priority” Means
The Right Skills Strategy designates these industries as priority sectors based on projected growth, economic importance, and skills shortage severity. The $5 billion government investment is concentrated here — meaning more subsidised training places, apprenticeships, and career pathways for students entering these fields.
Regional Growth Hotspots
Not all regions are growing equally. South-East Queensland corridors — Moreton Bay, Logan, Ipswich, and the Gold Coast — are leading growth, while Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast show the highest rates from a smaller base.
Employment Growth Rate by Region (AFS Series 4 & 5)
The SEQ Growth Corridor
Moreton Bay (9.3%), Logan–Beaudesert (7.4%), and Ipswich (7.4%) are the fastest-growing SA4 regions by rate. These corridors are seeing rapid population growth, new housing developments, and major infrastructure investment — driving demand for health, education, and construction workers.
Regional QLD Opportunities
Wide Bay (13.6%) and Townsville (12.0%) show the highest growth rates from AFS Series 4 — driven by health care expansion, defence investment, and mining-adjacent industries. Schools in these regions have a unique opportunity to align VET offerings with local employer needs.
The Guidance Officer Gap
Queensland has the worst student-to-guidance-officer ratio among Australia's major states at approximately 1,100:1 — more than double the recommended 1:500 benchmark.
Queensland's Ratio
Estimated student-to-guidance-officer ratio. QLD guidance officers also juggle career guidance, student wellbeing, and teaching duties — meaning effective career guidance capacity is even lower.
Source: APACSRecommended Benchmark
APACS recommended ratio of one guidance officer per 500 students. At this ratio, guidance officers have sufficient time for structured career guidance alongside their wellbeing responsibilities.
39% of National VET in Schools
Queensland provides 39% of all Australian VET in Schools full-time enrolments — the highest share nationally — yet alignment between these enrolments and local labour market needs remains largely unmeasured.
Qualifications in Demand
Not all pathways require a university degree. 62,000 of the projected new workers need Certificate III/IV or Diploma-level qualifications — exactly what VET in Schools delivers.
Additional Workers Needed by Qualification Level (State-wide)
New Career Programs
The Right Skills Strategy introduces three new programs that directly affect schools — Career Ready (VET in Schools), Career Start (job seekers), and Career Boost (upskilling).
Career Ready — What Schools Need to Know
Career Ready launches at the start of the 2026 school year with TAFE-led delivery of Certificate I/II qualifications aligned to careers in demand. Schools will need to coordinate with their regional TAFE for timetabling, student selection, and school-based apprenticeship integration. This replaces the previous VET in Schools contracting model.
What This Means for Schools
Five data-driven actions school leaders can take to align with Queensland's workforce transformation.
1. Audit Your VET Offerings
Compare your current VET qualifications against the 6 priority industries. Are you training students for the jobs that actually exist in your region?
2. Use Regional Data
Jobs Queensland publishes free regional employment projections. Use these to inform which subjects and pathways you prioritise — not just what has always been offered.
3. Engage Local Employers
The Right Skills Strategy emphasises industry-led training. Build direct relationships with employers in your region for work experience, Trade Tasters, and school-based apprenticeships.
4. Prepare for Career Ready
Contact your regional TAFE now about Career Ready delivery for 2026. Early coordination ensures your students get first access to the best-aligned qualifications.
5. Track Post-School Destinations
Start measuring whether graduates enter employment or training in areas aligned with your pathway programs. This data will be essential for Brighter Futures Phase 4 accountability.
6. Invest in Career Guidance Technology
With a 1,100:1 guidance officer ratio, technology is the only way to deliver personalised career guidance at scale. Tools like TEX help schools manage complex pathway programs efficiently.
Download the Full Report (PDF)
Get the complete Queensland Skills & Careers Outlook with all data tables, methodology, and downloadable charts.
Data Sources & Methodology
This report aggregates publicly available data from Queensland Government bodies, Jobs Queensland, and federal agencies. We are deeply grateful for their work.
- 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 report is published by TEX for informational and educational purposes. All data is sourced from the organisations listed above and is used with attribution. Employment projections are based on Jobs Queensland Anticipating Future Skills modelling and the Right Skills Strategy 2025–2028. Actual outcomes may vary. For corrections or updates, contact edu-support@tex.inc.