Recruitment agency in Cairns for employers
CrossNation is a recruitment agency based in Victoria that serves employers in Cairns and Far North Queensland. We recruit aged care, nursing, allied health, radiology, hospitality and trades staff from candidates based in Australia and from overseas. Our fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
What do the Census numbers say about Cairns?
Cairns had 253,748 residents at the 2021 Census and a median age of 41, compared with 38 in Queensland and 38 in Australia.
The industries employing the most people in Cairns included Hospitals (except Psychiatric Hospitals), Accommodation, Other Social Assistance Services.
Hospitals (except Psychiatric Hospitals) employed 6,758 people (5.8% of employed residents), compared with 5.0% in Queensland and 4.5% in Australia.
These are ABS 2021 Census figures. They describe the area, not CrossNation's own placements.
Hiring in Cairns: income and occupations
Postcode 4870 falls in the range 4580 to 4895 on the Home Affairs designated regional area postcodes page, which is Category 3, regional centres and other regional areas.
Median weekly household income in Cairns was $1,445 at the 2021 Census, below the Queensland figure of $1,675 and below the Australian figure of $1,746.
The most common occupation groups among employed residents were professionals (18.3%), technicians and trades workers (14.7%), community and personal service workers (14.3%).
Hospitals (except Psychiatric Hospitals) was the industry employing the most residents of Cairns, at 5.8% of employed residents.
Wages for a role follow the award or enterprise agreement that covers it, not the Census medians. The screening checks for care and disability roles in Queensland are on our recruitment agency Queensland page. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
Age and income in Cairns
| 2021 Census | Cairns | Queensland | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age (years) | 41 | 38 | 38 |
| Median weekly household income | $1,445 | $1,675 | $1,746 |
| Median weekly family income | $1,806 | $2,024 | $2,120 |
| Median weekly personal income | $748 | $787 | $805 |
Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats: Cairns (retrieved 6 October 2026). Counts with the share of residents or employed residents in brackets, exactly as the ABS prints them.
Industries employing the most people (top responses)
| 2021 Census | Cairns | Queensland | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitals (except Psychiatric Hospitals) | 6,758 (5.8%) | 122,121 (5.0%) | 545,158 (4.5%) |
| Accommodation | 3,525 (3.0%) | 28,759 (1.2%) | 107,476 (0.9%) |
| Other Social Assistance Services | 3,346 (2.9%) | 58,762 (2.4%) | 278,221 (2.3%) |
| Supermarket and Grocery Stores | 3,183 (2.8%) | 61,444 (2.5%) | 299,810 (2.5%) |
| Cafes and Restaurants | 3,090 (2.7%) | 55,180 (2.3%) | 268,005 (2.2%) |
Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats: Cairns (retrieved 6 October 2026). Counts with the share of residents or employed residents in brackets, exactly as the ABS prints them.
Occupation groups (top responses)
| 2021 Census | Cairns | Queensland | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professionals | 21,132 (18.3%) | 523,395 (21.4%) | 2,886,921 (24.0%) |
| Technicians and Trades Workers | 17,041 (14.7%) | 333,915 (13.7%) | 1,554,313 (12.9%) |
| Community and Personal Service Workers | 16,585 (14.3%) | 301,039 (12.3%) | 1,382,205 (11.5%) |
| Labourers | 13,955 (12.1%) | 246,394 (10.1%) | 1,086,120 (9.0%) |
| Managers | 13,918 (12.0%) | 305,755 (12.5%) | 1,645,769 (13.7%) |
| Clerical and Administrative Workers | 13,186 (11.4%) | 309,376 (12.7%) | 1,525,311 (12.7%) |
| Sales Workers | 10,495 (9.1%) | 211,439 (8.7%) | 986,433 (8.2%) |
| Machinery Operators and Drivers | 7,120 (6.2%) | 166,739 (6.8%) | 755,863 (6.3%) |
Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats: Cairns (retrieved 6 October 2026). Counts with the share of residents or employed residents in brackets, exactly as the ABS prints them.
Open CrossNation jobs in Cairns
What does hiring cost?
Our fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee. Wages are a separate cost and follow the award or enterprise agreement that covers the role. Our salary guides and pay rates calculator print the Fair Work award minimums with their clause and effective date, so you can budget before you brief us.
How does hiring in Cairns work with CrossNation?
- You send the role, location, start date and whether you want candidates based in Australia, overseas, or both.
- We search for candidates who match the brief and record their qualification, registration and work rights status so you can check it.
- You interview the shortlist and choose who to offer.
- We coordinate the offer with you and the candidate. Our fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee.
Questions from employers in Cairns
What do recruitment agencies in Cairns charge?
Our fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee. Other recruitment agencies set their own fees, so ask each one how it is calculated and when it is charged.
Is CrossNation one of the employment agencies or recruitment companies in Cairns?
CrossNation is a recruitment agency based in Victoria (VIC 3978). Employers in Cairns who search for employment agencies, job agencies or recruitment companies in Queensland are usually looking for a service like ours: you send the role and start date, we search and shortlist candidates against your brief, you interview, and we coordinate the offer.
Where is CrossNation based?
CrossNation is based in Victoria (VIC 3978) and recruits for employers in every state and territory, including Cairns and Queensland. Send the enquiry form to our recruitment team.
Which roles can you recruit in Cairns?
Aged care, nursing, allied health, radiology, hospitality and trades roles.
Can you recruit candidates who already live in Queensland?
We recruit candidates who already live in Australia and have work rights, as well as candidates overseas. Tell us which pool you prefer in the enquiry form and we will say what we can do for a start date and Far North Queensland.
Can CrossNation sponsor overseas workers or give visa advice?
No. CrossNation is a recruitment agency, not a registered migration agent. Sponsorship is the employer's decision and visa applications need a registered migration agent. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.