Western Australia’s resources and energy sector achieved record employment in the 2023-24 fiscal year, reaching a historic high of 134,871 full-time equivalent (FTE) roles, buoyed by robust mineral and petroleum sales totalling $238 billion.
According to the WA Government, this milestone, representing the seventh consecutive year of job growth, highlights the sector’s pivotal role in the state’s economy and its resilience amid global market challenges.
The surge in employment was driven by increased activity across key minerals, including lithium, gold, and iron ore, as well as energy sector, each experiencing year-over-year growth in mining operations.
The petroleum industry contributed $51 billion in sales. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) led this category with $36 billion, followed by condensate at $8.4 billion, domestic gas at $2.9 billion, and crude oil at $2.5 billion.
WA Premier Roger Cook said these remarkable results support jobs across the State and deliver tremendous economic benefits to Western Australia and our regional communities.
“Our economic management of the resources sector is second to none, and that is why WA will drive the national economy for decades to come,” he said.
Iron ore, long a cornerstone of Western Australia’s output, led sales with $142 billion, benefiting from strong prices and record production of 866 million tonnes.
Gold sales reached an unprecedented $21 billion, supported by record-breaking prices. Battery minerals also showed solid performance despite market headwinds, with lithium ($8.4 billion), nickel ($3.8 billion), and copper ($1.1 billion) among the standout commodities.
Western Australia’s leading position in exploration investment was another highlight, with $2.58 billion allocated to exploration in 2023-24, accounting for 62 per cent of national expenditure.
Key exploration areas included critical minerals such as lithium, rare earths, nickel/cobalt, and copper.
The resources sector continued to attract investment, with more than $32 billion directed into the industry over the past year and approximately $50 billion worth of projects committed or under construction.
The investment pipeline reflects WA’s reputation as a reliable business partner and underscores the sector’s strategic importance in supporting economic stability and job creation in the region.
“We are a global investment destination of choice as we remain a reliable business partner, we maintain a robust regulatory framework and we have a long history of major mining and mineral processing successes,” Premier Cook said.
Subscribe to Energy Today for the latest project and industry news.