Queensland and Western Australia are set to experience a massive demand in skilled labour over the coming years, with 300,000 workers required to continue economic growth.

 

In an article published by the Australian Financial Review, resource states may be forced to poach workers from Victoria and New South Wales as demand for skilled workers grows exponentially.

 

Queensland, who experienced no positive economic growth in the 2010-11 financial year, is set to turn to a 5% GDP as mines, infrastructure and services return to profit after the spate of natural disasters earlier in the year.

 

Queensland is expected to need upwards of 140,000 workers over the next two years; whereas Western Australia forecasts that up to 155,000 workers will be needed to satisfy the state’s booming resource sector.

 

Western Australian premier Colin Barnett said his state will be looking offshore to supplement labour demand, as Training Minister Peter Collier visits Ireland and the UK to attract “personnel both in trades areas and project managers and the like”.

 

Businesses are already looking to invest $109 billion in Western Australian resources projects in the next financial year.