OUTBACK OPPORTUNITIES

Look further afield for more job prospects. Melanie Burgess reports

EMPLOYMENT may be concentrated in Australia’s cities but there are also opportunities in remote parts of the country – and these can come with added benefits.

Workers may be attracted by the relaxed lifestyle and sense of community. In some roles, being remote also allows a worker to take on a broader range of responsibilities as teams are smaller. This gives them

the opportunity to learn more skills and climb the ranks more quickly.

Federal Government data reveals the largest employing sector in the Queensland outback is mining, with 7400 workers in 2017, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing (5500 workers), public administration and safety (4900), construction (2900) and retail trade (2900).

In the five years to May, 2022, an extra 300 jobs are expected to be created for each the accommodation and food services sector and the public administration and safety sector, while agriculture will remain relatively stable.

Ross Sticklen, human resources manager for Australian beef producer

Stanbroke, recruits staff for cattle stations in remote areas and says not everyone wants to work in the city.

“There is no one type of person who is attracted to working on cattle stations,” he says. “We attract agricultural college graduates, tradesmen and young people from family properties wanting to develop a career in agriculture, to name a few.

“A wide range of skills are required to work on a cattle station.”

He says the lifestyle does not suit everyone, as often postings are hours from the nearest town, but for many, being on the land and away from the city and crowds is an attraction.

“It suits some people because it is much more than just a job; it is a life-

style and an opportunity to develop unique skills,” he says. Roles available on cattle stations include jillaroos and jackaroos, machinery operators and positions at the feedlot and in meat processing.

Sticklen says more women are moving into these roles and now account for about 42 per cent of staff employed on Stanbroke stations.

“It has been a male-dominated industry in the past but we now have many women apply for positions and find they make equally great employees, bringing a diverse array of skills and attributes,” he says.

“But while gender parity is important for us, our focus remains on having the right mix of quality staff.”