Technology
Sunshine Coast Jobs Update: What Workers, Job Seekers and Professionals Need to Know Now
From emerging tech startups in Maroochydore to upskilling initiatives in Kawana, here's how the shifting workforce landscape affects Sunshine Coast professionals this July.
How we reported this
The job market on the Sunshine Coast is tightening, with the region’s unemployment rate creeping to 4.8% in June-its highest in 18 months-just as a wave of new tech and health sector roles come on stream across Maroochydore and Birtinya.
Why the Market Shift Matters in 2026
This change comes at a crucial moment: Sunshine Coast employers are reporting an uptick in AI-driven job listings and increased demand for digital proficiency-but many traditional roles in retail and hospitality are drying up. The region's $1.5 billion investment in the Maroochydore City Centre has continued to attract Australian and international startups, accelerating the shift toward tech, digital marketing, and allied health jobs. Local career consultant Jackie Powell says the pivot means workers without digital skills are finding it harder to land interviews for roles even in longstanding local firms like Youi Insurance and Wilsons Group.
Tech startups such as Luminar AI and Red Beach Bio, both recently moved into the foundation precinct of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre, are seeking coders, UX designers, and AI data trainers, signalling a clear pivot from last year's focus on sales and admin support. Meanwhile, the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct on Kawana Way has ramped up recruitment for allied health professionals but slowed front-desk intake as more tasks move online. For those in hospitality, the council's June figures confirm that open barista jobs in Noosa Junction and Mooloolaba Beach have dipped by 13% compared to winter 2025.
Smart Data: Salary, Upskilling and Pathways
ABS Sunshine Coast regional data released on 2 July shows job ads for software developers are up 36% year-on-year, with starting salaries for juniors at $71,000-roughly $7,500 more than equivalent advertised roles in 2024. At the other end, vacancies for traditional admin staff at major Maroochydore offices have dropped by 21%. In response, Sunshine Coast Council is extending its free Tech on Friday upskilling workshops through September at the Hive meeting rooms on Ocean Street, targeting resume-writing and digital literacy for anyone pivoting from affected sectors.
Professionals aiming to change careers or boost their employability should consider enrolling in these local upskilling programs or tapping online microcredentials at CQUniversity’s campus at Sippy Downs. Staff there confirmed enrolments in short AI and Python courses jumped 45% this quarter. Businesses like Hive Coworking on Aerodrome Road also report a rise in freelancers and consultants seeking hot desk space-an indicator of growing independent contracting across the region.
Looking ahead, the peak hiring period for Sunshine Coast tech and health roles typically lands from late July through August, just as universities return for the second semester and business activity picks up. Job seekers are advised to update LinkedIn profiles and set job alerts on platforms like Seek and the local Digital Jobs Sunshine Coast portal. For anyone adapting to market pressure, council-run drop-in career clinics at the Maroochydore Library each Wednesday morning remain free and open to walk-ins.