Slide 1. Labour Market Conditions in the Cairns Employment
Region
This is a presentation given by Ivan Neville, Branch Manager Labour Market Research and
Analysis Branch on 21 July 2015.
Slide 2. Cairns Region
Slide 3. Large falls in many sectors since GFC
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, May 2015 (4 quarter averages)
Slide 4. International Visitors
Source: Queensland Government Statistician’s Office
Slide 5. Unemployment has remained at high levels since the
GFC
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, June 2015 (12 month averages)
The unemployment rate for the Cairns region has remained consistently above the
national rate since GFC.
Slide 6. It’s taking longer to find a job in Cairns
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, June 2015 (12 month averages)
Slide 7. Significant increase in youth unemployment
Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, June 2015 (12 month averages)
Youth unemployment has increased from 8.9 per cent in October 2008 to 21.9 per cent
as of June 2015. Nationally youth unemployment rose from 8.8 per cent to 13.6 per cent
over this period
Over that same period the youth participation rate has dropped from 76.6 per cent to
61.1 per cent. Nationally this figure dropped from 71.0 per cent to 67.0 per cent.
Slide 8. Youth disengagement well above the QLD average
Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2011
In the Cairns Employment Region the percentage of males that are neither studying nor
working is 20 per cent and females is 25 per cent. In comparison the Queensland figure
for males is 14 per cent and females is 16 per cent.
28 per cent of Males in Innisfail are not studying and not employed. Females in this area
that are neither studying nor employed are 38 per cent. Innisfail includes the LGA of
Yarrabah.
In the tablelands the percentage of males neither studying nor employed is 23 per cent
and females is 35 per cent.
Slide 9. How wide is the gap?
Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011
Slide 10. Many young Indigenous people now entering the
workforce
Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2011
0-15:
15-24:
8,800 (38% of Indigenous population)
4,200 (18% of Indigenous population)
Slide 11. Education outcomes lower for Indigenous youth
Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2011
Slide 12. Educational Attainment and Labour Market
Outcomes
Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, 2011
There is a strong relationship between educational attainment and employment
outcomes. For those aged 25 to 34 years in the Cairns region, there were high
unemployment rates for those who had completed Certificate I & II but had not
completed Year 12 (26.9 per cent) and those who did not complete Year 12 without any
further post school qualification (19.9 per cent).
Unemployment rates are considerably lower for those who have completed a post-school
qualifications, such as bachelor degree or higher, diploma or advanced diploma, or
certificate III or IV. This emphasises the importance of post-school education in ensuring
success in gaining employment.
Slide 13. The jobs market can be tough
Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences,
Cairns region, August 2014
On average employers in Cairns received 13 applicants per vacancy.
Of these applicants on average only 2 were interviewed.
Of these interviewed applicants only 1 was suitable for the vacancy.
Slide 14. Why do job seekers miss out on jobs?
Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences, All
regions surveyed in the 12 months to December 2014;
Slide 15. What are employability skills
Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences,
Cairns region, August 2014
Employers in Cairns viewed the following skills as essential:
 Interpersonal/Social Skills
 Customer Service Skills
 Communication
 Enthusiasm/positive attitude
 Reliability, Honesty and Work Ethic
 Presentation
Slide 16. More than half of the opportunities are not
advertised
Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences,
Cairns region, August 2014
Almost two out of every five recruiting employers used formal methods to advertise for
vacancies (i.e. Internet, Newspaper)
The larger proportion, three out of every five, recruiting employers used Informal
methods ONLY to recruit for vacancies (i.e. Word of Mouth, Approached by job seeker)
Applicants should consider approaching employers directly in order to find employment.
Slide 17. Employers’ future concerns
Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences,
Cairns region, August 2014
Demand is the largest concern for employers in the Cairns region, especially for those in
the Construction and Manufacturing industries.
Recruitment difficulties were also an issue, especially in Hospitality and Education.
Slide 18. Solid jobs growth projected….
Employment projections five years to November 2019
Source: Department of Employment, 2014 Employment Projections to November 2019
Slide 19. …and there will be job turnover.
Source: Department of Employment, Survey of Employers’ Recruitment Experiences,
Cairns region, August 2014
Slide 20. Conclusion
The GFC and high $A has put pressure on key sectors
• Fewer jobs
• Higher unemployment
• Duration of unemployment
Challenges
• Disadvantaged groups
• Discouraged job seekers
• Flow of young indigenous people into jobs market
Opportunities
• Solid jobs growth projected, with employment in key industries expected to
recover
• Turnover (especially in Hospitality and Retail)
• Lower Australian Dollar and impact on tourism
Local job seekers need to be work ready
• Education and training, employability skills, work experience.
• Appropriate job search strategies
Ongoing collaboration amongst key stakeholders, industry and employers
Slide 21. Further Information