Gladstone sits quietly on the Central Queensland coast, yet it powers a large portion of the state’s economy. Known for its sprawling ports, LNG terminals, alumina refineries, and emerging hydrogen facilities, Gladstone is the industrial heart of Queensland. It is a rare region where global-scale resource projects coexist with coastal living and easy access to transport, housing, and schools.
For fly-in fly-out and drive-in drive-out workers, Gladstone represents the ideal middle ground between the remote isolation of the Bowen Basin and the intensity of Perth’s Pilbara region. It is a place where tradespeople can earn top-tier wages while still having a view of the sea on their days off.
In 2026, the region employs more than 25,000 workers across oil and gas, heavy industry, construction, renewables, and logistics. It continues to attract electricians, fitters, riggers, and process operators who value both stability and lifestyle.
Understanding the Region and Access Points
Gladstone lies around 500 kilometres north of Brisbane and 100 kilometres south of Rockhampton. The city’s deep-water port connects inland coal and gas to global export markets through an intricate network of rail lines, pipelines, and shipping terminals.
Travel logistics are simple compared to most FIFO regions. Workers can fly from Brisbane to Gladstone Airport in just over an hour, and charter services connect directly to key industrial sites. Rockhampton Airport provides additional routes for overflow and contract rotations. Many staff also choose to drive from nearby towns such as Boyne Island, Tannum Sands, Calliope, and Agnes Water, where housing is affordable and the coastline is minutes away.
Daily ferries from Gladstone Marina carry hundreds of workers to Curtis Island, home to the region’s three LNG plants. Ferry timetables are coordinated with site shift changes, creating one of the most efficient FIFO transport systems in Australia.
Main Transport Nodes:
- Gladstone Airport (GLT): Primary hub for LNG and refinery staff.
- Rockhampton Airport (ROK): Backup for charter and project flights.
- Curtis Island Ferry Terminal: Essential link for daily LNG commutes.
- Bruce Highway and Dawson Highway: Road corridors for DIDO workers.
Industrial Powerhouse of Queensland
Gladstone’s skyline is dominated by refineries, chimneys, and massive tanks. Unlike inland mining towns that focus on extraction, this region specialises in processing and export — the final stage of Australia’s resource chain.
Gas and LNG
Three major liquefied natural gas plants operate on Curtis Island:
- Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) run by Origin Energy.
- Santos GLNG Project.
- Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) owned by Shell.
These facilities receive gas from the Surat Basin through pipelines extending hundreds of kilometres. Each plant functions like a small city, with its own water systems, power generation, accommodation, and emergency response teams. Trades in demand include instrumentation technicians, mechanical fitters, electrical engineers, pipeline inspectors, and control room operators.
Refining and Chemical Production
The city’s industrial area remains one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Key facilities include:
- Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL): A joint venture between Rio Tinto and Rusal, refining millions of tonnes of alumina each year.
- Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL): A global-scale aluminium smelter employing process operators, boilermakers, and electrical maintenance crews.
- Cement Australia Gladstone Plant: Produces a significant portion of Queensland’s cement and clinker, requiring tradespeople skilled in heavy mechanical work.
- Orica Yarwun Plant: Manufactures ammonium nitrate used in mining explosives and requires strict safety compliance.
Each of these facilities runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Regular shutdowns occur for maintenance and upgrades, creating temporary surges in labour demand. During these shutdowns, companies such as Monadelphous, Ventia, and UGL employ hundreds of contractors for high-paying short-term work.
Hydrogen and Renewables
Gladstone is transforming into Australia’s hydrogen capital. Projects such as:
- CQ-H2 Hydrogen Hub, a partnership between Stanwell and Iwatani.
- Fortescue Future Industries Hydrogen Electrolyser Plant, located near Aldoga.
- Gladstone Hydrogen Ecosystem Project, supported by CS Energy and Sumitomo.
These initiatives are introducing new types of jobs for electricians, instrumentation specialists, civil contractors, and renewable engineers. The city’s energy diversification ensures employment growth even as traditional industries evolve.
Types of Jobs and Core Employers
The Central Queensland coast offers more occupational diversity than almost any other region in the state.
Technical and Trade Jobs:
- Electrical and Instrumentation Technicians
- Mechanical Fitters, Diesel Mechanics, and Machinists
- Welders, Boilermakers, and Pipefitters
- Riggers, Scaffolders, Dogmen, and Crane Operators
- HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, and Carpenters
- Process Plant Operators and Maintenance Technicians
Engineering and Management Roles:
- Control Systems Engineers and Chemical Engineers
- Structural and Civil Engineers for expansions and shutdowns
- HSE Advisors and Environmental Coordinators
- Project Managers, Schedulers, and Maintenance Planners
- Quality Assurance Inspectors and Commissioning Specialists
Support and Operations Roles:
- Storepersons, Logistics Coordinators, and Forklift Operators
- Bus Drivers and Ferry Crew
- Camp Managers, Cooks, Kitchenhands, and Utility Workers
- Administration Officers and Procurement Staff
Major Employers:
- Origin Energy, Santos, Shell, Rio Tinto (QAL and BSL), Orica, Cement Australia, and Gladstone Port Corporation.
- Contracting and maintenance partners include UGL, Downer, Monadelphous, Ventia, CPB Contractors, and Bechtel.
Workers can move between these companies through established contractor networks, making Gladstone a reliable region for long-term FIFO and DIDO careers.
Camps, Accommodation, and Lifestyle
Unlike remote mining towns, many workers in Gladstone can choose between living in camps, staying in hotels, or renting apartments.
Accommodation Options:
- Curtis Island LNG Camps: High-end accommodation for rotational staff, featuring single rooms with ensuite bathrooms, gyms, and dining halls.
- Gladstone City Motels and Villages: Common for contractors during shutdowns or short-term projects.
- Long-Term Rentals in Boyne Island or Tannum Sands: Favoured by families and supervisors who prefer coastal living.
Camps provide restaurant-quality meals, fitness facilities, recreation lounges, and medical services. Ferries and shuttles operate on strict schedules, and fatigue management systems ensure compliance with Queensland’s workplace health and safety standards.
During rostered time off, the city’s natural surroundings provide a stark contrast to industrial life. Workers often fish in the Boyne River, explore Curtis Island National Park, or travel north to the Capricorn Coast beaches near Yeppoon.
Rosters, Pay, and Conditions
Gladstone’s coastal proximity allows for more flexible rosters and frequent home time.
Common Rosters:
- 8 days on and 6 off for refinery and LNG operations.
- 2 weeks on and 2 off for shutdowns or expansion projects.
- Monday to Friday with weekends off for DIDO or local workers.
Average Pay (2026):
- Camp Utility or Catering Staff: $80,000 to $95,000 per year.
- Tradesperson (Electrical, Fitting, or Mechanical): $130,000 to $170,000.
- Supervisor or Safety Officer: $150,000 to $190,000.
- Engineer or Senior Technical Specialist: $180,000 to $240,000 and above.
Contractors working shutdowns often earn higher hourly rates, sometimes exceeding $70 per hour for high-risk or urgent work. Most roles include travel allowances, accommodation, and meals.
The combination of high pay and accessible location makes Gladstone one of the most desirable FIFO and DIDO destinations in the country.
Training and Certification Requirements
Industrial operations around Gladstone are highly regulated, and every role requires formal certification. Workers must maintain valid safety tickets and complete site inductions before mobilising.
Core Requirements:
- White Card (Construction Induction)
- Working Safely at Heights (RIIWHS204E)
- Confined Space Entry (RIIWHS202E)
- Gas Test Atmospheres (MSMWHS217)
- High Risk Work Licence (EWP, Rigging, Dogging, Cranes)
- First Aid and CPR
- Site-Specific Inductions (APLNG, QAL, Orica, or Boyne Smelter)
Recommended Additional Training:
- Hazardous Areas Electrical Competency
- Process Safety and Incident Management
- HAZOP and Permit-to-Work Systems
- Environmental Awareness and Spill Response
Local education providers such as CQUniversity Gladstone Marina Campus, CQ Training Solutions, and Major Training Group run nationally accredited short courses that align with industry needs.
Challenges and Work Environment
Working in heavy industry along the coast comes with distinct challenges. The humidity and salt air can accelerate corrosion, so maintenance work is continuous. Many jobs are performed in confined spaces or at height, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols.
Shutdowns can be physically demanding, often involving long shifts in hot and noisy environments. Mental focus and hydration discipline are essential. Fatigue, while carefully managed, remains one of the top risks identified by site HSE teams.
However, Gladstone’s infrastructure, hospitals, and amenities offset the hardship. Unlike remote FIFO camps, workers here have immediate access to health care, shopping centres, and coastal recreation during breaks.
The Future of the Region (2026–2030)
Gladstone is entering a new era. Its traditional industries are not fading; they are adapting. LNG and refining remain the foundation, but hydrogen, renewables, and automation are expanding rapidly.
Key Future Projects:
- Fortescue Future Industries Hydrogen Electrolyser Plant – full-scale operation expected by 2027.
- CQ-H2 Hydrogen Hub – large export-focused production and storage facility.
- Gladstone Port Expansion Program – deepening channels and increasing export capacity.
- Boyne Smelters Renewable Energy Transition – gradual shift to solar and hydrogen-based electricity.
Over the next five years, Gladstone is projected to generate over 3,500 new technical jobs and an additional 1,200 support positions, cementing its role as one of the most stable long-term employment regions in Australia.
Conclusion: Coastal Industry, Lasting Opportunity
Gladstone and the Central Queensland Coast offer something that few other FIFO regions can: serious industrial careers without total isolation. It is a place where mechanical fitters work beside ocean views, where engineers plan renewable hydrogen systems next to refineries built half a century ago, and where workers can finish a night shift and still take their family to the beach the next day.
The balance of opportunity, access, and lifestyle makes Gladstone the model for modern FIFO living. It is the city where Australia’s industrial past and clean energy future meet — and where thousands of skilled workers are building the next chapter of Queensland’s economic story.
