General News
16 June, 2025
City rated ‘enterprising’
CAIRNS has been rated an ‘enterprising city’ in a KPMG report which has identified 12 of Australia’s most rapidly evolving cities.
The report projects that 16,000 new jobs will be created in the region over the next five years.
KPMG national enterprise managing partner Naomi Mitchell said the 12 enterprising cities played a vital role in Australia’s mid-market, often dubbed the ‘engine room of the nation’s economy’, as they employed nearly a quarter of all Australians and generated 40 per cent of total national business revenue.
“The report highlights that these 12 cities collectively account for about a third – over 35 per cent – of Australia’s economy,” she said.
“In recent years, the enterprising cities’ economies have been resilient as local businesses and households have faced cost-of-living pressures and a slowing economy.
“These cities are increasingly seen as desirable destinations, attracting people and businesses from larger metropolitan areas and drawing interest from international companies looking to establish a presence and invest in these thriving regional centres.”
The report said Cairns and the surrounding region offered “a vibrant tourism industry, drawing visitors to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest”.
“Additionally, the city provides essential services, higher education, retail and health services to Far North Queensland,” it said.
“Following the end of the pandemic travel restrictions in 2021, Cairns and the surrounding region (which includes Port Douglas, Innisfail and the Atherton Tablelands) benefited from a normalisation of tourism patterns.
“The number of passengers at Cairns Airport increased by 5.4 per cent to 4.7 million in 2024 from 4.46 million in 2023, to now be only 1.7 per cent below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.”
The report said unemployment last year remained around 4.2 per cent, amidst “higher interest rates and a more challenging economic climate”.
In 2024, Cairns experienced a modest rise in employment growth, increasing by 1.5 per cent, which is slightly lower than the 1.7 per cent observed in 2023, it said.
“The participation rate has steadily increased as more younger working-aged people move to Cairns.”
The report said population growth in 2024 remained solid at 1.9 per cent, reflecting an influx of new residents contributing to the region’s growth.
“The number of dwelling approvals in Cairns saw a slight decrease, with 1082 approvals in 2024, compared to 1128 in 2023,” it said.
“This decline indicates ongoing challenges within the housing sector, despite the growing demand driven by population increases.
“In 2024, the 65-plus age group saw significant growth, with an increase of 2500 new residents. This highlights a growing number of retirees choosing Cairns and the surrounding region for their later years.
“Solid growth in the 0–19, 20–29 and 30–39 age groups also highlights a rise in young families moving to the region.”
For the full report visit
