business
Online Radio Surge Reshaping Sunshine Coast Job and Talent Market
Local stations and content firms are posting more digital roles and pulling in specialists as listener habits shift.
How we reported this
Sunshine Coast media outlets posted 85 new digital broadcasting and production roles between January and June 2026.
National figures show online radio audiences rose sharply after 2025, when streaming services recorded doubled regional engagement. Local employers now compete for producers, hosts and audio engineers who can handle live streams and data-driven programming instead of traditional over-air signals.
Wave Radio opened a second studio on Sixth Avenue in Maroochydore in March and immediately advertised four on-air and editing positions. SoundCoast, based near the Mooloolaba waterfront, started a six-week talent program in May that has drawn 45 applicants from the Sunshine Coast Council area alone.
The Sunshine Coast Chamber of Commerce report issued 3 July recorded an 18 percent year-on-year increase in creative-sector job listings. Median pay for entry-level digital audio roles reached $65,000, while senior positions now average $95,000.
Training programs update to match new roles
TAFE Queensland revised its audio production certificate at the Sunshine Coast campus in April, adding required units on streaming platforms and audience metrics. The University of the Sunshine Coast at Sippy Downs expanded its media internship placements with three online stations this semester.
Recruiters report that applicants from Brisbane and Sydney are relocating for these openings, citing lower rents in areas such as Buderim and easier access to beachside offices along the Nicklin Way.
Practical moves for the second half of 2026
Workers seeking roles can register for the next business networking session at the Sunshine Coast Business Hub on 28 July. Companies planning further hires should check the regional workforce forecast due from the development authority before the end of the month.