Media Release.

26 November 2025

The Queensland resources sector is once again the state’s economic powerhouse contributing $115.2 billion and supporting close to 555,00 jobs in the 2024-25 financial year.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) released the 16th Economic Contribution Report at its Annual State of the Sector Lunch in Brisbane today, an event that drew Queensland Premier David Crisafulli as keynote speaker.

The Economic Contribution Report* is prepared annually by independent consultants to model the total value of the resources sector to the Queensland economy and its ‘giving-back’ impact on regional communities.

QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson presented the report highlights to nearly 900 industry and government representatives at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre today.

“Queensland’s resources sector was resilient in the face of strong headwinds this year and yet kept its place as a significant contributor to the state's economy,” Ms Hewson said. Key findings of the 2024-25 Economic Contribution Report include:

• Total economic contribution of the resources sector: $115.2 billion

• This figure represents 1 in every $4 of the Queensland economy

• Total direct jobs supported by the sector: more than 71,000

• Total direct and indirect jobs supported by the sector: 549,519

• Total spent in local businesses and community organisations: $35.8 billion

• Total royalties paid that helps fund schools, roads, hospitals and regional development: $7.9 billion.

These contributions are critical to South East Queensland, with Brisbane as the state’s largest mining town, as well as to regional communities that depend on the sector for local jobs, and to support small businesses and community organisations.

“The 2024-25 economic contribution results are particularly impressive given some of the current challenges facing parts the sector,” Ms Hewson said.

The sector’s total contribution is down from the previous year mainly due to a $7 billion fall in coal contributions as a result of lower prices, rising operating costs and the ongoing impact of the World’s highest royalty rates.

“Despite the challenges, the amount resources companies spent with local businesses and community groups overall remained steady and the number of organisations supported increased, reflecting industry’s strong commitment to support the communities where they operate.”

However, Ms Hewson said the latest data revealed signs that there are more challenges ahead for the sector.

“We can see a decrease in direct spending in some key resources regions, and this could be a signal for further job losses across the state.”

Since the start of this financial year (2025-26) the sector has seen more than 1,000 Queensland jobs lost.

“Producers are navigating increasing costs and regulation in Queensland.

“We have the resources the world needs and the world-class expertise to capitalise on strong global demand and the opportunities it offers to our state.

"Through industry and government working together to solve some of these headwinds, this will be for the good of the sector and the benefit of all Queenslanders.”

The QRC 2025 Economic Contribution Report provides the basis for a new campaign being launched by the QRC that explains the importance of the resources sector to Queensland.

“A little bit of Queensland” highlights the significant flow-on effects from the resources sector for Queensland jobs, businesses and community organisations.

Janette Hewson said the campaign sets the record straight on how much the sector gives back to Queenslanders from using 0.1% of the state's land.

“A Little Bit of Queensland addressees some of the misconceptions about the mining and resources sector.

“We should all be proud of our resources sector and the people who make it what it is today, using 0.1 per cent of our state’s land to support billions of dollars in contributions and hundreds of thousands of jobs.”

Download the 2024-25 Economic Contribution Report fact sheet

View Regional, LGA and State Electorate Economic Contribution fact sheets

ENDS

Media contact: Matt Dunstan, Communications Manager Queensland Resources Council

M: 0411 535 072

* The report documents a range of metrics including the economic benefits generated by royalties, the number of jobs supported by the sector, and the scale of the industry’s support for local businesses, community organisations, and sports clubs.