Mackay, located in the beautiful tropical region of Queensland, is a wonderful place to live, work, and enjoy life. It boasts a unique mix of natural beauty, a strong economy and a warm and welcoming community.
Mackay Regional Council is committed to creating jobs and planning for the future to ensure that the city remains a great place to live for generations to come.
The region is home to over 125,000 residents and has a labour force of more than 72,000 people, with more than 10,000 registered businesses.
With a range of industries including mining, agriculture, tourism, and retail, Mackay is a diverse and dynamic city.
Exploring the economic landscape
Mackay thrives on its crucial commodities industry, with coal, sugar, and copper playing pivotal roles in the local economy. Coal mining, agriculture, tourism and retail are major contributors, generating employment opportunities and bolstering the surrounding communities making Mackay a diverse and dynamic city. The region's resources remain in high demand, with metallurgical and thermal prices sustaining levels higher than those seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mackay is maintaining steady investment in residential and non-residential development, notwithstanding a nation-wide slowdown in housing construction. Our strong economy and employment opportunities are driving continued investment and development activity in the region.
Mackay boasts a diverse economy, offering employment opportunities across various industries such as mining, agriculture, healthcare, education, and tourism. This diverse landscape has led to robust job growth and an expanding labour market in the region, as evidenced by the consistently low unemployment rate. The region's thriving economy and the availability of employment opportunities make Mackay an attractive destination for job seekers.
Top 5 highest employed industries
The housing market in Mackay is experiencing significant demand, especially in the rental sector, driven by population growth and the thriving local industries. The availability of housing remains limited, aligning with national averages.
Mackay is a sought-after tourist destination, renowned for its stunning beaches, national parks, and breath-taking Great Barrier Reef islands. These natural wonders draw visitors from all corners of the globe. Mackay Regional Council is actively implementing and developing various tourism strategies to further enhance the region's appeal and attract an even greater influx of tourists.
For further tourism domestic data for Mackay Region please select the below links. The below providers analyse data and conduct research on a variety of aspects of the tourism industry in order to provide data and insight to assist various stakeholders with decision making and strategy development.
All data presented in this document is based on data sourced from various data sources. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the Mackay Economic Snapshot’s accuracy, it is subject to change, with no responsibility taken for accidental omissions.