Now in its sixth edition, AREEA’s annual Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast, provides the most authoritative outlook on employment demand across Australia’s mining, energy and resources sectors, helping industry, government and the community to anticipate workforce needs and skills planning.  

While the 2025–2030 outlook is substantial, it is also a warning signal. Without investor certainty, thousands of potential new jobs and billions in national revenue are at risk.

This edition finds there are 96 major projects expected to commence production between late 2025 and 2030. Valued at $129.5 billion, these projects are forecast to generate demand for 22,279 new operating-phase jobs – the weakest five-year outlook in more than half a decade.

AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM said the 2025–2030 forecast again underlines the sector’s critical contribution to the national economy but warned that poor policy settings are undermining investor confidence. 

“Iron ore, coal and gas remain the bedrock of our export earnings, taxes and royalties. Without this sector, there would be no federal surpluses and no reliable funding for hospitals, and schools, Medicare or aged care, not to mention the impacts on regional communities if these projects stall,” Mr Knott said. 

The 2025-2030 Workforce Forecast can be read via the below flipbook or click here to download as a .pdf.