General News
22 October, 2025
Most mouldy hotspot
CAIRNS has been named Queensland’s most mould-prone hotspot, and the second mouldiest region in Australia, according to new data from Airtasker.
The study, which analysed climate conditions, rainfall, humidity, dwelling data and mould removal jobs, gave Cairns a mouldiness score of 60.67 out of 100, putting it ahead of the Sunshine Coast (51.91) and the Gold Coast (51.71).
Experts say Cairns’ tropical climate, with consistently high humidity and frequent downpours, creates perfect conditions for mould to thrive, especially in homes with poor ventilation.
Certified mould remediation specialist Anthony Johnson, who works with Airtasker, said Cairns “cops it worse than most” parts of the state.
“Up there you’ve got heat and humidity almost year-round and that’s the perfect combo for mould,” he said.
“Once humidity is sitting over 70% for long stretches, and in Cairns it often pushes past 80%, mould’s got the perfect conditions to grow fast and spread. Add in the heavy wet-season rains and a lot of homes end up with damp walls, leaky roofs and poor airflow.”
To help prevent mould growth this wet season, Mr Johnson recommended keeping indoor humidity around 50-60%.
For a more in-depth look at all the research on Airtasker, visit: https://bit.ly/3WQJCoi
