QLD resources by the numbers.

The facts and figures
shaping Queensland’s future.

A snapshot of the sector’s contributions in 2024-25

  • $115.2 billion

    contributed to the Queensland economy

  • 549,519

    jobs supported (1 in 5 across the state)

  • $35.8 billion

    supporting Queensland businesses and community organisations

  • $7.9 billion

    paid in royalties

  • 17,600

    local suppliers supported

  • 1,733

    community groups supported

By commodity

  • Coal

    Contributed over $76 billion to the economy

  • Natural Gas

    6,357 people employed and 3% of all jobs in Queensland

  • Metals & Minerals

    $4.4 billion spent across 3,375 businesses and 280 community groups

2024-25 economic contribution in detail:

Coal.

  • The coal sector’s total economic contribution to Queensland was more than $76 billion, which is 15% of the state’s total Gross Regional Product.

  • Coal supported 363,059 local jobs, including 49,385 directly, which is 12% of all jobs in Queensland.

  • Coal operators paid an estimated $5.5 billion in royalties and spent $23.8 billion across 8,368 local businesses and 825 charities, sporting and community organisations, and local government.

  • Of the 352,000,000 metric tonnes of coal exported from Australia to the world in 2024-25, over 195,000,000 metric tonnes came from Queensland.

Gas.

  • Gas’s total economic contribution to Queensland was $21.7 billion, which is 4% of the state’s total Gross Regional Product.

  • Gas supported 94,319 local jobs, including 6,357 directly, which is 3% of all jobs in Queensland.

  • Queensland gas operators paid $1.7 billion in royalties and spent $6.4 billion across 3,650 local businesses and 462 charities, sporting and community organisations, and local government.

Metals &
Minerals.

  • The total economic contribution to Queensland from minerals and metals was $13.6 billion, which is 3% of the state’s total Gross Regional Product.

  • Minerals and metals supported 70,845 local jobs, including 12,111 directly, which is 2% of all jobs in Queensland.

  • Queensland minerals, metals, and other operators paid $734 million in royalties and spent $4.4 billion across 3,375 local businesses and 280 charities, sporting and community organisations, and local government

Methodology.

QRC tracks industry spending by collecting member expenditure data to create a detailed overview of Queensland’s major export industry, analysed down to postcode levels.

Spending is categorised as direct and indirect. Direct spending is based on QRC members’ financial records, measuring expenditures through invoices. Indirect spending is estimated through economic modelling, gauging additional economic activity generated by direct spending.

For instance, when a resource company buys a vehicle (direct spending), the dealership’s income increases (indirect spending). Similarly, a resource employee’s wage (direct spending) spent on a car also boosts the regional economy (indirect spending). Indirect spending data, though not directly collected, is estimated through advanced economic modelling by an independent consultant.

For more information and to view the latest report, click here.