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Trades recruitment for regional employers

Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist. We help regional employers hire qualified electricians, fitters, diesel and motor mechanics, carpenters, plumbers and fabricators, from the Bowen Basin and Townsville to the Darling Downs and across regional Australia. We build the licences, tickets and site conditions into the search from the first conversation.

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Illustrative image: a diesel fitter using a ratchet on an engine secured to a stand, with an electrician working at a closed switchboard in a workshop open to dry country.

Trades hiring at a glance

Trades are harder to fill than most roles, and they make up a bigger share of hiring in regional Queensland than in Brisbane. Outside the capital cities, 49% of recruiting employers had difficulty filling a vacancy in the September quarter 2026, against 43% in the capitals.1

of employers recruiting technicians and trades workers had difficulty filling the role
65%
Against 45% of all recruiting employers. National, September quarter 2026.1
trade occupations are in shortage nationally or in regional areas
54 of 68
Automotive and engineering, construction and electrotechnology trades on the 2026 shortage list, counting national and regional shortage ratings. All 18 construction trades are in shortage.2
of online job ads in regional Queensland are for these trades
11.5%
1,612 of 13,994 ads a month across the eight regions outside Greater Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast, against 7.8% in Greater Brisbane. Three-month average to September 2026.3

Where are trades most advertised in regional Queensland?

Trades make up a larger share of job ads in Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday and Central Queensland than anywhere else in the state. In Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday the share is more than twice Brisbane's.3 For more on hiring in these regions, see our guides to Mackay and Isaac, Townsville and Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

Online job ads a month for three trade groups by region (SA4; Greater Brisbane is the capital city area), three-month average to September 2026. The share is the three groups' total over all ads in the region.3

RegionAutomotive and engineering tradesConstruction tradesElectrotechnology tradesShare of all ads
Mackay–Isaac–Whitsunday301569118.1%
Central Queensland192485813.4%
Darling Downs–Maranoa71162611.2%
Queensland – Outback50181811.0%
Townsville145494510.2%
Toowoomba70232410.2%
Cairns8946438.1%
Wide Bay6640277.4%
Greater Brisbane (for comparison)1,2184905847.8%

Trades we recruit

Open a trade for what the work involves, the qualification, licences and tickets, shortage status, pay and what to tell us in your brief. Shortage ratings are national, for 2026. Award minimums apply from 1 July 2026 under the award that usually covers the work, though the award that applies depends on your business. Median pay is the national figure for full-time workers in May 2025.

For mechanical, electrical and reliability engineers, see engineering and technical recruitment.

Electrical

Qualified electricians for contractors, maintenance teams, mines and manufacturers.

What the role does
Electricians install, test, connect, commission, maintain and modify electrical equipment, wiring and control systems.4
Qualification
UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, completed as an apprenticeship or through trades recognition, which leads to an unrestricted electrician's licence in most states.5
Licences and tickets
Electrical work in Queensland needs an electrical work licence, and a business doing electrical work for others needs an electrical contractor licence.6 Electricians licensed in another state or New Zealand apply for a Queensland licence under mutual recognition, and everyone doing electrical work in Queensland must be competent in rescue and resuscitation.7 Construction sites also need a White Card.8
Demand
Electrician (General) is rated in shortage nationally.2
Pay
Electrical contracting is usually covered by the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020. Its minimum for a licensed electrician (Electrical worker grade 5) is $1,223.11 a week ($32.19 an hour) from 1 July 2026, including the industry, tool and licence allowances.9 Median full-time earnings for electricians were $2,191 a week in May 2025.10
What to tell us
Domestic, commercial or industrial work, the testing and fault-finding involved, high-voltage or instrumentation experience if needed, current LVR and CPR, the site tickets, the roster and whether the person will supervise others.

Fitting and machining

Qualified mechanical and maintenance fitters, fitters and turners and fitter-welders for mines, processing plants, manufacturers and workshops.

What the role does
Metal fitters and machinists fit and assemble metal parts into machines and equipment, set up and operate machining tools, and diagnose faults, maintain and overhaul machinery and fluid power equipment.11
Qualification
MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, completed as an apprenticeship or through trades recognition. It covers fitting, assembly, installation, testing, fault finding, maintenance and machining.12
Licences and tickets
No trade licence applies to the qualification.12
Demand
Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder and Metal Machinist (First Class) are all rated in shortage nationally.2
Pay
In manufacturing and engineering workshops, the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 usually applies. Its minimum for a tradesperson (C10) is $1,119.10 a week ($29.45 an hour) from 1 July 2026.13 Median full-time earnings for metal fitters and machinists were $2,606 a week in May 2025.10
What to tell us
Fixed or mobile plant, the equipment and manufacturers on site, workshop or field work, shutdowns, the roster (for example 7 on, 7 off), and whether the role needs a fitter and turner or a fitter-welder.

Mechanical and diesel

Qualified diesel mechanics (heavy vehicle) and motor mechanics (light vehicle) for transport, agricultural and mining-service workshops.

What the role does
Diesel motor mechanics maintain, test and repair diesel engines and the mechanical parts of trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles. Motor mechanics do the same for light vehicles.14
Qualification
AUR31120 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology.15,16
Licences and tickets
No trade licence applies to these qualifications.15 Work on vehicle cabin air-conditioning needs an automotive air conditioning refrigerant handling licence.17 Road-testing a truck over 8 tonnes with more than two axles needs a heavy rigid (HR) driver licence.18
Demand
Diesel Motor Mechanic and Motor Mechanic (General) are both rated in shortage nationally.2
Pay
Vehicle repair workshops are usually covered by the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020. Its minimum for a qualified mechanic (tradesperson level 1) is $1,119.10 a week ($29.45 an hour) from 1 July 2026, plus a $13.86 weekly tool allowance.19 Median full-time earnings for motor mechanics were $1,622 a week in May 2025.10
What to tell us
Heavy, light, agricultural or earthmoving equipment, the diagnostic software you use, workshop or field service, air-conditioning work, and the driver licence class the job really needs.

Carpentry and building

Qualified carpenters for residential, commercial and formwork builders.

What the role does
Carpenters construct, erect, install, renovate and repair structures and fixtures of wood, plywood, lightweight steel, wallboard and other materials.20
Qualification
CPC30326 Certificate III in Carpentry (September 2026). Experienced carpenters may hold the earlier CPC30220 or an older carpentry certificate.21
Licences and tickets
In most cases an employee of a licensed builder doesn't need a QBCC licence, but someone who supervises the work as a site supervisor or nominee does.22 Everyone doing construction work needs general construction induction training (the White Card).8
Demand
Carpenter and Carpenter and Joiner are both rated in shortage nationally, as are all 18 construction trades on the list.2
Pay
On-site carpentry is usually covered by the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020. A qualified carpenter (Level 3) on weekly hire must be paid at least $1,214.04 a week on residential work and $1,227.47 on other building work from 1 July 2026, including the industry and tool allowances.23 Median full-time earnings for carpenters and joiners were $1,760 a week in May 2025.10
What to tell us
Residential, commercial or formwork work, framing, fit-out or roofing experience, whether the person will supervise, tools and vehicle, and travel between towns.

Plumbing

Licensed plumbers, drainers and gasfitters for plumbing, drainage and maintenance contractors.

What the role does
Plumbers install and repair water, drainage, gas and sewerage pipes and systems.24
Qualification
CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing. Plumbing is a licensed occupation.25
Licences and tickets
In Queensland, plumbing and drainage need a QBCC occupational licence whatever the value of the work.22 A plumber who has just qualified may hold a one-year provisional licence and must work under the supervision of a licence holder.26
Demand
Plumber (General), Drainer, Gasfitter and Roof Plumber are all rated in shortage nationally.2
Pay
Plumbing is usually covered by the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020. Its minimum for a registered plumber (plumbing and mechanical services tradesperson level 1) is $1,246.54 a week ($32.80 an hour) from 1 July 2026, including the industry, trade and registration allowances.27 Median full-time earnings for plumbers were $1,990 a week in May 2025.10
What to tell us
The licence you need (provisional or full; plumbing, drainage or gasfitting), new construction or maintenance, rural water or on-site sewage work, and on-call arrangements.

Fabrication and welding

Qualified boilermakers, metal fabricators and welders for workshops, manufacturers and site crews.

What the role does
Metal fabricators mark off and fabricate structural steel and other metal stock to make and repair metal products and structures. Welders fabricate and repair metal products using a range of welding techniques.28
Qualification
MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (September 2025). Experienced fabricators may hold the earlier MEM31922 or MEM30319.29
Licences and tickets
No trade licence applies to the qualification.29
Demand
Metal Fabricator and Welder (First Class) are both rated in shortage nationally.2
Pay
Fabrication workshops are usually covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020, where a qualified fabricator is paid at least the C10 tradesperson rate of $1,119.10 a week from 1 July 2026.13 Median full-time earnings for structural steel and welding trades workers were $1,688 a week in May 2025.10
What to tell us
The welding processes and materials, structural, pressure or light fabrication, reading drawings, any weld test you require, crane or forklift needs, and workshop or site work.

Which qualifications, licences and pay apply to each trade?

Current national qualification, Queensland licence, the weekly award minimum from 1 July 2026 under the award that usually applies, and national median full-time earnings for the occupation group in May 2025 (all occupations: $1,852).10

TradeQualificationLicence in QueenslandAward minimum a weekMedian full-time pay a week
ElectricianUEE308205Electrical work licence6$1,223.11 (grade 5)9$2,19110
FitterMEM3021912No trade licence12$1,119.10, C1013$2,60610
Diesel or motor mechanicAUR31120 or AUR3062015,16No trade licence15$1,119.10 plus tool allowance19$1,62210
CarpenterCPC3032621None as an employee; licence needed to supervise22$1,214.04, residential23$1,76010
PlumberCPC3242025QBCC occupational licence; provisional at first26$1,246.54, registered27$1,99010
Fabricator or welderMEM3192529No trade licence29$1,119.10, C1013$1,68810

How we help you hire tradespeople

You make the hiring decision and employ the person directly. We do the searching and organising in between, starting with the licence, tickets and experience the person must hold on day one.

  1. Step 1

    Understand the role

    We talk with you about the trade, the equipment and site, the licences and tickets the work needs and the experience you expect.

  2. Step 2

    Source and screen

    We talk with candidates about their qualification, licences and tickets, and the tasks, equipment and tools they have worked with.

  3. Step 3

    Introduce suitable people

    We introduce the candidates who best match your brief, so you decide who to interview.

  4. Step 4

    Coordinate the hire

    We coordinate the next steps and keep both sides informed through interviews and the offer. You employ the person directly.

Can you recruit for FIFO, DIDO and relocation roles?

Yes. Tell us the roster (for example 7 on, 7 off or 8/6), whether the work is drive-in drive-out, fly-in fly-out, camp-based or town-based, where the shift starts, any shutdown work and the relocation support you offer. We build them into the search and talk them through with candidates during screening.

On construction sites, the on-site award has its own provisions for distant work and travelling time.30 For the Bowen Basin workforce, see our guide to Mackay and Isaac. If the right person needs a visa or sponsorship, our sister business Australian Immigration Agency can advise.

Looking for a trade job in the regions?

If you hold a trade qualification, register with Hire Australia. Tell us your trade, your licences and tickets, the work you've done and where you'd like to work. We'll talk with you about roles that fit.

Register

Guides to specific trades

Auto electricians

Regional recruitment specialist for auto electricians, with certificates and refrigerant licences by state, award and market pay, and demand.

Boilermakers & welders

Regional recruitment specialist for boilermakers and welders, with welding standards, high-risk work licences by state, award and market pay.

Carpenters & joiners

Regional recruitment specialist for carpenters and joiners: when a licence applies in each state, award and market pay, and where demand is.

Chefs & cooks

Regional recruitment specialist for chefs and cooks, with food safety supervisor rules by state, award grades and market pay, and where demand is.

Diesel & heavy vehicle mechanics

Regional recruitment specialist for diesel and heavy vehicle mechanics, with certificate rules by state, award and market pay, and where demand is.

Electrical linesworkers

Regional recruitment specialist for electrical linesworkers and cable jointers, with line work licensing by state, award and market pay, and demand.

Electricians

Regional recruitment specialist for licensed electricians, with the licence each state requires, award and market pay, and where demand is.

Mechanical fitters & machinists

Regional recruitment specialist for fitters and machinists, with the high-risk work licences by state, award and market pay, and where demand is.

Motor mechanics

Regional recruitment specialist for motor mechanics and automotive technicians, with certificate rules by state, award levels, pay and demand.

Plumbers & gasfitters

Regional recruitment specialist for licensed plumbers, gasfitters and drainers, with plumbing and gas licences by state, award and market pay.

Refrigeration & air conditioning mechanics

Regional recruitment specialist for refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, with refrigerant and state licences, award and market pay, and demand.

Talk to us about your next trade hire

Tell us the trade, the work, the location and the experience you need.

Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment.

Discuss a roleRegister

A FEW PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

Good to know.

Which trades and experience levels does Hire Australia recruit?

Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist. We recruit qualified tradespeople for regional employers, including electricians, fitters, diesel and motor mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, fabricators and welders. We search for people who have just finished their trade through to experienced leading hands and supervisors, and we build the licences, tickets and equipment the job needs into the search.

What do qualified tradespeople earn?

Award minimums from 1 July 2026 include $1,223.11 a week for a licensed electrician and $1,214.04 for a carpenter on residential work.9,23 Median full-time earnings in May 2025 were higher: $2,191 a week for electricians, $2,606 for metal fitters and machinists and $1,990 for plumbers.10 Hire Australia discusses your pay range with candidates early in every trade search.

Can Hire Australia recruit tradespeople for FIFO, DIDO or relocation roles?

Yes. Hire Australia starts with qualified tradespeople who live near your business, then talks with people who already work rostered site jobs or are planning a regional move. Tell us the roster, where the shift starts, the accommodation and any relocation support for the trade role, and we raise them with candidates in the first conversation.

Does Hire Australia supply labour hire or temporary tradespeople?

No. Hire Australia recruits tradespeople you employ directly, in permanent roles. We don’t supply labour hire, temps or contractors, and candidates never work on our payroll. We search for and screen qualified tradespeople for your vacancy, introduce the ones who fit, and you make the offer and employ them from their first day.

What does it cost to use Hire Australia to hire a tradesperson?

Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment. You employ the person directly, and we agree the terms with you in writing before the search begins. The same terms apply to every trade Hire Australia recruits, from electricians and fitters to carpenters and plumbers.

What should I include when I register as a candidate?

Register with Hire Australia and include your trade qualification, your licence classes and any conditions, your site tickets, and the tasks, equipment and tools you've worked with. Tell us where you'd like to work, whether you'd consider a roster or a move, and when you could start, so we can talk with you about trade roles that fit.

Sources (30)

  1. Jobs and Skills Australia, Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey, Recruitment Insights Report September 2026 data file. Released October 2026. Data: September quarter 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  2. Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List - 6 digit ANZSCO and OSCA. Files dated October 2026. Data: 2026 OSL. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  3. Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index: Internet Vacancies, ANZSCO2 Occupations, GCCSA and SA4 Regions - September 2026. September data released 21 October 2026. Data: September 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  4. Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 – Unit Group 3411 Electricians. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  5. training.gov.au (National Training Register), UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  6. Electrical Safety Office – WorkSafe Queensland, Classes of licences (electrical). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  7. Electrical Safety Office – WorkSafe Queensland, Interstate and New Zealand electrical work licence holders. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  8. Safe Work Australia, Working on a construction site (White Card). Accessed 28 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  9. Fair Work Ombudsman, Pay Guide - Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award [MA000025]. Published 7 August 2026. Data: From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  10. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO occupation profiles data file, Occupation data - February 2026. Released July 2026. Data: May 2025. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  11. Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 – Unit Group 3232 Metal Fitters and Machinists. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  12. training.gov.au, MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (release 4). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  13. Fair Work Ombudsman, Pay Guide - Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award [MA000010]. Published 29 July 2026. Data: From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  14. Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 – Unit Group 3212 Motor Mechanics. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  15. training.gov.au, AUR31120 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  16. training.gov.au, AUR30620 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  17. Australian Refrigeration Council (ARCtick), Refrigerant handling licence – licence types. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  18. Queensland Government (qld.gov.au), Licence types, classes and conditions. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  19. Fair Work Ombudsman, Pay Guide - Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award [MA000089]. Published 24 June 2026. Data: From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  20. Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 – Unit Group 3312 Carpenters and Joiners. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  21. training.gov.au, CPC30326 Certificate III in Carpentry. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  22. QBCC, When you need a licence. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  23. Fair Work Ombudsman, Pay Guide - Building and Construction General On-site Award [MA000020]. Published 2 July 2026. Data: From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  24. Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 – Unit Group 3341 Plumbers. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  25. training.gov.au, CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  26. Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC), Occupational plumber and/or drainer. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  27. Fair Work Ombudsman, Pay Guide - Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award [MA000036]. Published 11 August 2026. Data: From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  28. Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO 2022 – Unit Group 3223 Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  29. training.gov.au, MEM31925 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade. Accessed 29 October 2026. Back to text ↑
  30. Fair Work Commission, Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 [MA000020]. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑