Australia’s fastest growing economy

The Gold Coast is Australia’s sixth largest city and fastest growing economy. It is a hub of opportunity, transforming into a global destination and home to more than 666,000 people.

Strategically located on the edge of the Asia-Pacific rim, with access to two international airports, the Gold Coast is perfectly positioned as a destination for business, investment, study, research, sport, events, tourism and lifestyle.

With a robust economy valued at $45.38 billion, and an ambitious strategy that encourages innovation and sustainable growth, the Gold Coast’s future is full of promise.

The City of Gold Coast’s Gold Coast Economic Report 2024, released earlier this week, shows that Gold Coast is Australia’s fastest growing economy post-COVID, and is outperforming expectations.

The report shows that Gold Coast’s sustained growth is higher than other benchmark economies such as greater Perth, greater Brisbane, greater Adelaide, ACT, Australia, Queensland, greater Sydney, and greater Melbourne.

Moreover, in year ending June 2023, GRP growth, GRP per capita, growth in tertiary qualifications, and job-to-worker ratio have exceeded projections.

Gold Coast is the place to be for businesses, with the Gold Coast forecasted to experience high medium-term growth and to outperform Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. The technology sector is also expected to grow by almost 40% by 2028.

Need more reasons to do business on the Gold Coast?

Top 10 reasons to do business on the Gold Coast

1. Australia’s fastest growing economy
Post-pandemic, the Gold Coast Economy has experienced an average annual growth of 5.5%, ahead of Brisbane (4.5%) and Sydney and Melbourne (both 2.5%)

2. Fast-growing knowledge economy
The value of our knowledge sector is growing 10% faster than the Australian average.

3. Entrepreneurial culture
5,000 new knowledge economy businesses were added in FY2021-22.

4. Low unemployment
The Gold Coast is tracking about 1% below the Australian average.

5. Education options
Home to three universities and some of Queensland’s best secondary schools.

6. Transport
Serviced by two international airports—Brisbane and Gold Coast—and Queensland’s first light rail system.

7. A tourism destination
In 2023, the Gold Coast welcomed more than 12.2 million visitors, generating $7.8 billion in visitor expenditure.

8. Natural beauty
The city boasts 52km of coastline and 100,000ha of nature reserves, world heritage sites and substantial rainforest (as well as more waterways than Venice!)

9. Perfect climate
The Gold Coast averages 10 hours of sunshine a day on almost 300 days per year.

10. Great dining and arts scene
The Gold Coast has a year-round calendar of cultural events, live performances and gallery exhibitions and is home to 24 Australian Good Food Guide-hatted restaurants.

Read on

• City of Gold Coast’s Gold Coast Economic Report 2024