Geraldton, Mid West and Gascoyne recruitment: professional, technical and trade staff
Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist. We help employers in Geraldton, Dongara, Northampton, Morawa, Meekatharra, Carnarvon, Exmouth and across the Mid West and Gascoyne hire professional, technical and trade staff, from graduates to experienced people.
Geraldton, the Mid West and Gascoyne at a glance
- of recruiting Geraldton employers had difficulty recruiting
- 73%
- Latest survey, released September 2026: 50 employers, a small sample. Recruiting means recruiting or recruited in the past month (56%).1
- of employed residents work in health care and social assistance, the largest industry
- 12.5%
- 3,586 of 28,662 employed residents across the Mid West and Gascoyne, August 2021.2
- work in agriculture, forestry and fishing
- 9%
- 2,567 employed residents, August 2021.2
- unemployment in the City of Greater Geraldton
- 3.7%
- June quarter 2026, against 6.8% in Carnarvon and 1.6% in Exmouth.3
Who employs people in the Mid West and Gascoyne?
Geraldton is the centre of a 69,656-person region: 58,931 people live in the Mid West's 16 shires and 10,725 in the Gascoyne's four, including 42,882 in Greater Geraldton and 5,655 in Carnarvon.4
Health care, schools and shops employ the most residents, with farming and fishing, construction, hospitality and mining close behind.2 The Mid West's strengths include agriculture and food, resources, solar and wind, and the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory;5 the Gascoyne's include agriculture and tourism, with World Heritage areas.6
Share of employed residents by industry, Mid West and Gascoyne regions (20 council areas), August 2021.2
| Industry | % of employed residents |
|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 12.5% |
| Education and training | 9.6% |
| Retail trade | 9.4% |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 9% |
| Construction | 8.4% |
| Accommodation and food services | 7.9% |
| Mining | 7.6% |
| Public administration and safety | 6.7% |
How far apart are the region's towns?
Far enough that each is its own labour market. A role in Carnarvon or Exmouth draws on a different pool from one in Geraldton, and the inland shire of Meekatharra had more mining jobs at its sites in 2024–25 than any other Mid West council area.7
Residents at 30 June 2025, distance from Perth and modelled unemployment in the June quarter of 2026, by council area.3,4,8
| Council area | Residents | Distance from Perth | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Geraldton | 42,882 | 425 km | 3.7% |
| Morawa | 703 | 371 km | 4.0% |
| Meekatharra | 1,292 | 765 km | 9.4% |
| Carnarvon | 5,655 | 904 km | 6.8% |
| Exmouth | 3,670 | 1,261 km | 1.6% |
How hard is it to hire in Geraldton and the Mid West?
Among the hardest in WA. In the latest Geraldton employer survey, released in September 2026, 73% of the employers who were recruiting or had recruited in the past month had difficulty recruiting, against 55% across regional WA. The sample is small (50 employers), but the reasons are familiar: the location, applicants lacking technical skills, a lack of suitable applicants, and working conditions or hours.1
The region's employment plan says Geraldton struggles to attract and keep skilled professionals in health, education and technical trades because of housing shortages, limited lifestyle amenities and professional isolation. Employers report trouble finding people with the right qualifications in trades, health care and hospitality, and limited public transport and high vehicle costs keep some people out of work.9 We talk through housing, the move and what the town offers with every candidate from outside the region.
Which roles do we recruit in the Mid West and Gascoyne?
Open a role type for demand, shortage ratings and what to put in your brief. Shortage ratings are for 2026; we count an occupation as in shortage if it is rated in shortage nationally or in regional areas.
Health, aged care and disability support
Registered nurses, midwives, general practitioners, allied health professionals, and health administrators and managers, plus assistants in nursing and aged-care, disability and community support workers, for Geraldton and the smaller towns.
- Who hires
- Health care and social assistance employed 3,586 residents in August 2021, the largest industry.2
- Attraction
- The employment plan names health among the sectors where Geraldton struggles to attract and keep skilled professionals.9
- Shortage
- Aged care registered nurses, midwives, general practitioners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and aged or disabled carers are rated in shortage nationally, and enrolled nurses in regional areas.10
- Local training
- The Geraldton Universities Centre supports students studying with CQUniversity, the University of Southern Queensland and Curtin.11
- What to put in your brief
- The registration, the setting and town, the shift pattern, housing or relocation support, and who the person reports to.
Trades, mining and engineering
Electricians, mechanical and diesel fitters, fabricators, plant operators, and mining, civil and electrical engineers for mines, renewable energy and construction projects, and the workshops in Geraldton.
- Who hires
- Mine sites in the Mid West supported 8,494 full-time-equivalent jobs in 2024–25, up from 7,464, led by Meekatharra (2,378), Yalgoo (2,088) and Perenjori (1,880).7
- Local workforce
- 2,415 residents worked in construction and 2,179 in mining in August 2021.2
- Shortage
- General fitters, diesel motor mechanics, general electricians, metal fabricators and earthmoving plant operators, and mining, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, are rated in shortage nationally.10
- Attraction
- Employers report trouble finding tradespeople with the right qualifications and experience.9
- What to put in your brief
- The trade or discipline, the site or workshop, the roster or day shifts, the point of hire for site roles, and the award or agreement rate.
Education, government and professional services
Secondary and early childhood teachers, childcare workers, and accountants, administration officers and project staff for schools, councils, government agencies and businesses.
- Who hires
- Education and training employed 2,760 residents and public administration and safety 1,931 in August 2021.2
- Attraction
- Education is another sector where the employment plan reports difficulty attracting and keeping professionals.9
- Shortage
- Early childhood teachers, secondary school teachers and childcare workers are rated in shortage nationally.10
- What to put in your brief
- The qualification or registration, the school or office, housing support, and who the person reports to.
Agriculture, fishing, tourism and hospitality
Farm and station managers, machinery operators, fishing and processing supervisors, chefs, and hospitality and tourism managers, for permanent roles supporting businesses in Carnarvon and Exmouth.
- Who hires
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing employed 2,567 residents and accommodation and food services 2,255 in August 2021.2
- Demand
- Employers report difficulty finding hospitality staff with the right qualifications and experience.9
- Shortage
- Chefs and cooks are rated in shortage nationally; beef cattle, sheep, and mixed cattle and sheep farmers are not.10
- Local training
- Central Regional TAFE teaches in Geraldton, Carnarvon and Exmouth and runs the Batavia Coast Maritime Institute.12
- What to put in your brief
- The duties of the permanent role, including peak periods, accommodation, and the licences or certificates needed.
Hiring graduates in Geraldton
The Geraldton Universities Centre supports local students studying degrees with CQUniversity, the University of Southern Queensland and Curtin,11 and Central Regional TAFE has campuses in Geraldton, Carnarvon and Exmouth.12 The employment plan notes that many young people leave the region for study,9 so we look for graduates with a link to the Mid West as well as those ready to start their career in a regional city.
How we help you hire in Geraldton, the Mid West and Gascoyne
You make the hiring decision and employ the person directly. We handle the search and the organising in between.
Distance, rosters and relocation
Geraldton is 425 km north of Perth, Carnarvon 904 km and Exmouth 1,261 km; inland, Morawa is 371 km away and Meekatharra 765 km.8 Mid West sites supported 8,494 mining jobs in 2024–25,7 while 2,179 residents of the Mid West and Gascoyne worked in mining in August 2021.2 For site roles, tell us whether the role is FIFO or DIDO, its point of hire and its roster; we discuss travel and accommodation with candidates during screening. For roles in Geraldton, Carnarvon or Exmouth we talk through housing and the move before anyone accepts. If the right person needs a visa or sponsorship, our sister business Australian Immigration Agency can advise.
Looking for work in Geraldton, the Mid West or Gascoyne?
Health workers, teachers, tradespeople, engineers, office professionals and graduates can all register with Hire Australia. Tell us which towns interest you and the work you want. We'll talk with you about roles that fit.
Talk to us about your next Mid West or Gascoyne hire
Tell us about the role, the town or site, housing, the hours or roster and when you need someone to start.
Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment.
A FEW PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Good to know.
Is it hard to hire staff in Geraldton?
Yes, for most skilled roles. In the latest Geraldton employer survey, 73% of employers who were recruiting or had recruited in the past month had difficulty, though the sample was small.1 Housing, distance and professional isolation make attraction harder. Hire Australia searches Geraldton, Perth and interstate, and talks through housing and the move with every candidate before you meet them.
Does Hire Australia have an office in Geraldton?
No. Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist based in Brisbane, and we recruit for employers across regional Australia, including Geraldton, Dongara, Carnarvon and Exmouth. We look for people already in the Mid West and Gascoyne and for people elsewhere who are ready to move. Call 1300 719 836 or send us the role details to start.
Can Hire Australia recruit for Carnarvon and Exmouth?
Yes. Hire Australia recruits across the Gascoyne as well as the Mid West. Carnarvon and Exmouth are small labour markets a long way from Perth, so we usually search more widely and talk through housing, the season and how long the person plans to stay before you meet them. Tell us about any accommodation you can offer.
What does it cost to use Hire Australia?
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. Hire Australia charges the same way for a role in Geraldton, Carnarvon or Exmouth as anywhere else in regional Australia.
Does Hire Australia supply labour hire or temporary staff?
No. Hire Australia recruits people you employ directly, in permanent roles in the Mid West and Gascoyne. We don’t supply labour hire or temps, and candidates never work on our payroll. We search for and screen people for your vacancy, introduce the ones who fit, and you make the offer and employ them. That keeps the working relationship between you and your new employee from day one.
Can I register with Hire Australia for work in the Mid West or Gascoyne?
Yes. Register with Hire Australia and tell us the work you want and the towns that interest you, from Geraldton to Carnarvon and Exmouth. Health workers, teachers, tradespeople, engineers, office professionals and graduates are all welcome. We'll talk with you about suitable roles and what living there involves.
Sources (12)
- Jobs and Skills Australia, Recruitment trends and employers' needs: State and Regional Snapshot update, Western Australia. Released 22 September 2026. Data: Latest survey, released September 2026; 50 employers, unweighted, small sample. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census General Community Profile, Table G54 Industry of employment by age by sex, Local Government Areas. Data: Census night, 10 August 2021; employed residents by place of usual residence, summed over each region. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, SALM Smoothed LGA Datafiles (ASGS 2025) - June quarter 2026. Data: June quarter 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional population, 2024-25 financial year (Population estimates and components by LGA, 2024 to 2025). Released 31 March 2026. Data: 30 June 2025. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Infrastructure WA, State Infrastructure Strategy: WA’s regions, Mid West region. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Infrastructure WA, State Infrastructure Strategy: WA’s regions, Gascoyne region. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, 2025 spatial and regional data file: mining employment by region and local government area. Files dated June 2026. Data: 2024-25 financial year average; full-time equivalent at mine sites, by site location. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- WA Country Health Service, WA Country Health Service: Midwest regional profile (distance from Perth table). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Local Jobs Plan: Geraldton Employment Region, WA (August 2026). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List (6-digit ANZSCO and OSCA). Files dated October 2026. Data: 2026 ratings, ANZSCO 2022 sheet. National ratings; S = shortage, R = regional shortage. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Geraldton Universities Centre, Geraldton Universities Centre. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Central Regional TAFE, Central Regional TAFE: Campuses. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑