Perfect Chance to Discover Your Future
Perfect Chance to Discover Your Future
Hundreds of students, jobseekers, and career changers from across Far North Queensland gathered at the Cairns Convention Centre for the 2025 Cairns #GoHealth Careers Expo – a one-day immersive event that opened doors to one of the region’s most vital and fast-growing sectors: health and social services.
Held on March 26 and hosted by the Cairns Regional Jobs Committee (RJC), the event brought together leading industry players to showcase over 300 career pathways in the health, wellness, allied health, and social services fields. The Expo wasn’t just a typical job fair – it was an interactive, hands-on experience designed to inspire and inform the region’s future workforce.
From live demonstrations and panel discussions to real-time job boards and school-based traineeship information, attendees gained valuable insights into the many ways they could start or shift into a career that makes a real difference. Professional development sessions ran throughout the day, and 45 exhibitors from both private and government sectors gave attendees the chance to speak directly with industry experts.
“We were excited to be part of this event,” said Lena Singh, CEO of Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS). “With over 7,000 jobs across more than 30 regional, remote and rural facilities, CHHHS is proud to be the largest employer in the region – and we’re growing. A career in health offers purpose, opportunity, and the chance to build a better tomorrow”.
The event also highlighted the urgent need to “grow our own” workforce, with Cairns RJC Chair Jodie Duigan-George emphasising the importance of local training and retention.
“We know that people who study here are more likely to stay here,” she said. “The more we invest in inspiring our own students and jobseekers, the stronger our region’s future will be.”
According to data from Jobs Queensland’s Anticipating Future Skills projections, the Cairns health and social assistance sector is on track to grow by more than 3,300 workers by 2027-28, making it the region’s largest and fastest-growing industry. The biggest growth is expected in hospitals, allied health, and social assistance services – creating demand for professionals in physiotherapy, pharmacy, medical imaging, speech pathology, and more.
Janelle Yarwood, Project Manager for Cairns RJC, said the event was designed to show “that a career in health is so much more than being a doctor or nurse – though we need those too! From emergency call operators to IT experts to support workers and records management, the opportunities are endless. And for those thinking about a career change, now is the perfect time to step into a meaningful, in-demand profession.”
Major exhibitors included the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, James Cook University and CQUniversity, Cairns Private Hospital, Australian Defence Force Recruiting, ARC Disability Services, Queensland Pathology, Little Sparrows Therapy, Wellness Embodied, FNQ Podiatry, Tafe, Queensland X-Ray, Regis Aged Care.
Events like the #GoHealth Careers Expo are part of a broader push by CheckUP and Gateway to Industry Schools Program to link students with real-world healthcare experiences and training opportunities – making the pathway from school to a career smoother and more accessible than ever.
Whether you were a student planning subject selection, a recent graduate, or someone looking to pivot into a new field, the Cairns #GoHealth Careers Expo offered a perfect chance to explore the possibilities – and maybe even discover your future and passion in the Health and social services sector.
Subscribe to the Cairns Regional Jobs Committee newsletter by visiting their website: Cairns Regional Jobs Committee – Regional Jobs Committee and learn more about key industries, pathways to employment and more.
The Cairns RJC is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government and administered by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
