One in five new jobs now in South East Queensland

16 February 2026

South East Queensland is quickly emerging as a key destination for employment, with the growth in new jobs being driven by highly skilled professional workers in search of attractive opportunities.

KPMG’s analysis of the latest ABS data reveals SEQ is significantly outperforming the rest of the nation in terms of job growth, with more than 312,000 new jobs created over the last 5 years, representing more than 20 percent of all new jobs across the country.

Employment across the region has also grown at an annual rate of 3.3 percent, significantly outpacing the national average of just 2.1 percent.

KPMG Urban Economist Terry Rawnsley said South-East Queensland’s reputation for creating jobs and opportunities is steadily taking shape. 

“SEQ has established itself as the region for opportunity, with businesses large and small now realising there’s serious benefits to locating in the South-East, not just from a lifestyle perspective, but they’re finding it also makes strong economic sense,” Mr Rawnsley said.

“As a result, the jobs boom is expected to continue right through to the end of the decade, with 275,000 more jobs set to be created by 2030, as Brisbane and the entire region prepares to host the 2032 Olympics.”

South East Queensland is seeing particularly strong business growth in the mid-market sector, with some 9,225 new medium sized businesses employing between 20-199 staff starting up or relocating to the sunshine state in 2023-2024, up from 8328 the year before. The region also welcomed more large-scale businesses with 380 new companies employing more than 200 people, up from 321.

Similarly, the number of businesses with over $2 million in turnover grew by 8.3 percent in 2023-24. 

“Mid-market businesses are the lifeblood of South East Queensland’s economy, driving job creation and fostering innovation across a wide range of industries,” said Brisbane Mid-Market & Private Partner, Stephen Abbott. 

“The region’s unique combination of growing infrastructure, a highly skilled workforce, and increasing investment has allowed these businesses to thrive and expand. The 2032 Olympics is around the corner, making this a pivotal time for mid-market enterprises to seize the incredible opportunities presented by SEQ’s strong growth,” added Mr Abbott.

High skilled professionals arriving in droves 

The jobs boom in South East Queensland is largely being driven by professionals taking advantage of highly skilled and well-paid jobs across a range of sectors.  

SEQ now accounts for more than 14 percent of the country’s Professional Services workforce and there are now almost 53,000 professional services businesses registered with the ATO in SEQ, an increase from 50,000 in 2022.

The total number of professionals has risen from 430,000 in 2020 to 545,000 in 2025. The second largest occupation increase were managers who went from 200,000 in 2020 to 260,000 in 2025. 

“The rise in professionals' points to the maturing of South East Queensland from a dynamic regional player to one that is entering the global stage,” said Mr Abbott.

“Businesses are increasing headcounts and drawing in high skilled professionals that traditionally would have gravitated towards Sydney or Melbourne.”

“Many regions of Australia saw jobs and population booms during the pandemic as lockdown affected workers in Sydney and Melbourne left those cities. But, unlike other regions SEQ has been able to ride its boom into the 2032 Olympics which will continue to provide more opportunities for high skilled jobs,” Mr Rawnsley said. 

“There are around 38,000 internet job ads currently advertised in SEQ. That is 50 percent higher than before COVID which shows the continued strength of the local labour market.” 

SEQ's economic strength and rising population have fuelled rapid growth in population-driven service industries. 

The Retail sector added 20,500 jobs in 2024-25 making it the fastest growing sector in SEQ, followed by Accommodation & Food Services with 16,500 jobs, Utilities (13,000), Real Estate Services (12,500) and Construction (11,000). 

Preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, SEQ City Deal and ‘Accelerating Future Jobs’ programs have also attracted many Australian Public Service workers to the state.

Almost 8,000 Federal workers were employed in South East Queensland over the last 5 years, rising 57 percent and outpacing all other capital cities with Sydney only seeing 32 percent growth, Melbourne 41 percent and Canberra 24 percent. 

“The rise of APS workers shows that significant federal infrastructure and investment is entering the region as the SEQ labour market continues to grow from strength to strength,” Mr Rawnsley said.