A little overcast, but mostly Sunny.
The Gold Coast job market is finishing 2025 on a strong note, but not without its challenges.
Unemployment is sitting at 3.4%, with participation rates high, which means plenty of locals are either working or actively looking. The biggest employers? No surprises: health care, construction, retail, hospitality, and education – making up more than half of all jobs on the Coast.
Cracks in the Market
In saying that, whilst the numbers look solid, the cracks are starting to show towards the tail end of the year. Job ads (SEEK) have dipped compared to last year, yet many employers are finding it tough to fill skilled roles. Businesses are having to move quickly, offer better pay, and rethink their EVP to stand out (which is something I can help with).
Gold Coast vs Queensland
Its not all doom and gloom though, when compared with Queensland overall, the Coast is still holding up slightly better. The state’s unemployment rate sits around 4.1%, even though participation rates are about the same (67%). Employment growth on the Coast has also outpaced the state average, which I’d put down to three things: Olympic preparation, people relocating from New Zealand, and interstate migration for lifestyle balance. For jobseekers, that means more opportunities locally; for employers, it means tougher competition for the right people.
Industry Insights
I recently attended the Chamber of Commerce Property Outlook Luncheon, where there was plenty of discussion around productivity in construction, including the question: “Are we putting too many constraints and red tape on the Building & Construction Award?” There was even talk of pushing for longer working hours to speed up project delivery. As a recruiter, I can’t help but point out the obvious: people are moving here for a better work-life balance, not to be stuck on site for even longer hours. And with the CFMEU still in the mix… well, that’s a blog for another day.
The Takeaways
- For jobseekers – Opportunities are strong, but businesses are being selective. You’ll need to be just as smart about aligning your next move with the right company, one that matches your skills, values, and goals.
- For employers – The challenge is standing out in a tight market and offering more than just a pay cheque if you want to secure great people. Then, you still need to retain them.
The Gold Coast remains one of Queensland’s brightest labour markets in Aus, but keeping it that way will take smart decisions from both businesses and jobseekers.
So, What Should You Do?
If you’re an employer struggling to secure the right people, you’re not alone. A good starting point is to ask yourself: “Why do people enjoy working here?” and “Are we investing enough in onboarding, learning & development, and retention?” Sometimes the small shifts in these areas make the biggest difference.
If you’re a jobseeker ready for your next move but finding it hard to connect with the right business, you’re not alone either. Ask yourself: “What’s non-negotiable for me in my next role? What can I bring to a business, and what do I need in return to stay motivated?” Getting clear on those answers will help you find a role that really fits.
And that’s where I can come in. I speak with skilled professionals and leading businesses across the Coast every day. Whether it’s helping you land your next opportunity or supporting you in securing talent that will grow your business, let’s connect.
Miranda
"I highly recommend"
A wonderful experience with a tremendous level of service and commitment which has resulted in our successful recruitment of a critical senior hire for our business. I would recommend Recruit Collective for any HR project going forward.
"Their friendly team is super reliable"
I was recently presented with role by IHR and am extremely pleased with the result! I was supported every step of the way and they have continued to check in and support me even after I was hired 
"Jade is fantastic at her job"
I was recently placed in a role by Jade and I could not be more appreciative of her for everything she did to help throughout the process. She was patient, informative, kept me up to-date throughout the whole process and really took the time to make sure that I was a good fit prior to putting my resume forward. I absolutely love my new role and it is exactly what I believed it to be so thank you very much Jade and the team, keep up the good work! 
"Very Supportive"
Renee, Thanks for all your support through the recruiting process. It’s been a pleasure working with you and your team. I really appreciated all the extra time you spent working through what I was looking for in a role. All the best. Nigel 
"Quality team"
I highly recommend Renee and the team at Recruit Collective. They were amazing with the whole recruitment process of finding us the right finance graduate for our business. Thanks again for all your help! 
