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Living in Mackay

For Mackay, the unemployment rate was 3.2% in March 2026. The population of Mackay, in Australia, was 10,545 in August 2021. Foreign-born residents accounted for 10.7% of the population in 2021.

Which Australia-wide rules apply when you move to Mackay?

National rules stay on the country page instead of being relabelled as city data.

Visa and entry rulesPassport-specific entry and national residence context.BenefitsCountry-wide eligibility and official application routes.Taxes in AustraliaNational rates and thresholds that apply in Mackay.Healthcare eligibilityCountry-wide insurance and residence conditions.

Housing and cost

Median rent was A$262 per week, and median monthly mortgage repayment was A$1,213 in August 2021.

What recurs every month6 published recurring costs, € per month
Mackay recurring monthly costs, € per month€1625Private kindergarten€174Utilities, 85 m² flat€70Fitness club€69Internet, 60 Mbps€61Transport pass€25Mobile plan, 10 GB€ / month

Supplemental estimate lane; these items are not official statistics.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Fitness club membership, monthly69.66 EUR/month31 Dec 2025Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934)9Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Internet, 60 Mbps unlimited69.05 EUR/month31 Dec 2025Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934)9Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Private kindergarten, monthly1,625 EUR/month31 Dec 2025Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934)9Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant25 EUR4 Aug 2026Numbeo8Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Mobile plan, 10 GB25.21 EUR/month31 Dec 2025Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934)9Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Monthly transport pass61.11 EUR/month31 Dec 2025Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934)9Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Basic utilities, 85 m² home174.2 EUR/month31 Dec 2025Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934)9Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Dwellings4,400 dwellings31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
G05 Main Residential Dwellings3,989 dwellings31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
Median Weekly Rent Aud262 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official

Work and income

Median personal income was A$666 per week in August 2021. Median household income was A$1,257 per week in August 2021.

Unemployment across cities in AustraliaUnemployment in Mackay is 3.2%. Of 100 cities with data, 29 have unemployment of 4 to under 5%.
unemployment rate, % · measured cities in Australia per band4 cities: 1% to under 2%41–29 cities: 2% to under 3%92–323 cities: 3% to under 4%233–4Mackay 3.2%29 cities: 4% to under 5%294–518 cities: 5% to under 6%185–69 cities: 6% to under 7%96–73 cities: 7% to under 8%37–82 cities: 8% to under 9%28–91 city: 9% to under 10%19–102 cities: 13% to under 14%213–14

Unemployment rate (%)

MetricValuePeriodSource
Employment Full Time Count2,625 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
Employment rate52.7 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
Median Household Income Aud Week1,257 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official
Median Personal Income Aud Week666 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official
Median gross salary (regional)1,511 EUR/month31 Dec 2021www.abs.gov.au6Official
Unemployment rate3.2 %country median 4.4%31 Mar 2026DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 20267Independent

Public employment service

No exact public employment office is currently linked to Mackay. The verified national service may still offer online registration, job search or an official office finder.

Country-level information

Workforce Australia — Public employment service

Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Job Search
Open official service
Open the Australia service overview

Country-level service information is not treated as proof of a physical office in Mackay. Sources checked through 11 Aug 2026.

Family and education

MetricValuePeriodSource
Language Other Than English At Home Share Percent5.15 %10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official

Language courses and integration

No exact city-level course record is currently published for Mackay. These verified national programmes may still apply; use the official programme page to check local availability.

Country-level information

Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) — State Language Course

Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

For eligible migrants, humanitarian entrants.

EnglishIn Person, Online, Hybridfree
Open official information

Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) — Newcomer Adaptation

Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

For humanitarian entrants.

In Person, Hybridfree
Open official information
Open the full Australia section
National programme information is not treated as proof of a course location in Mackay.

Climate and air quality

Temperature through the yearAverage daytime high and night-time low, °C
Mackay average monthly daytime high and night-time low temperature, °C0°10°20°30°40°JFMAMJJASOND31°14°Daytime highNight-time low
Rainfall through the yearAverage monthly precipitation, mm
Mackay average monthly precipitation, mm08517025534026732625914292603330243192167JFMAMJJASONDmm
MetricValuePeriodSource
Average daytime high by monthJan 30.4 · Feb 30 · Mar 28.9 · Apr 26.9 · May 24.3 · Jun 22.2 · Jul 21.6 · Aug 23 · Sep 25.9 · Oct 28 · Nov 29.7 · Dec 30.7 °C1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station MACKAY MO5Official · nearest-station reading
Average night-time low by monthJan 23.9 · Feb 23.7 · Mar 22.6 · Apr 20.5 · May 17.4 · Jun 14.8 · Jul 13.6 · Aug 14.4 · Sep 17 · Oct 19.9 · Nov 21.9 · Dec 23.2 °C1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station MACKAY MO5Official · nearest-station reading
Average temperature by monthJan 27.2 · Feb 26.9 · Mar 25.8 · Apr 23.7 · May 20.9 · Jun 18.5 · Jul 17.6 · Aug 18.7 · Sep 21.5 · Oct 24 · Nov 25.8 · Dec 27 °C1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station MACKAY MO5Official · nearest-station reading
Average precipitation by monthJan 266.6 · Feb 326 · Mar 259.4 · Apr 141.8 · May 91.8 · Jun 60.2 · Jul 33.1 · Aug 30.3 · Sep 24.2 · Oct 30.8 · Nov 92.3 · Dec 167.4 mm1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station MACKAY MO5Official · nearest-station reading

Cities of a similar size in Australia

Closest published populations, for a like-for-like comparison.

All Australia cities
Camden Haven10,914 residentsSwan Hill11,186 residentsPortland11,230 residentsColac11,352 residentsEsperance12,003 residentsNewcastle - Maitland12,272 residents

Population and city profile

The city covered 212.4 km² in 2016. Population density was 402.1 people per km² in 2021.

MetricValuePeriodSource
City area212.4 km²1 Jul 2016Official ASGS2016 SUA area from ABS ArcGIS attributes, area_albers_sqkm. Exact queue geography; not GCCSA or LGA.3Official
Foreign-resident share17.4 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics1Official
Foreign residents11,981 people10 Aug 2021Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality.2Official
Population density402.1 people/km²30 Jun 2021Reproducible exact-ASGS2016-SUA density: ABS ERP at 30 June 2021 divided by ABS ASGS2016 SUA area. Existing local population baseline is only a recovered cross-check; no GCCSA/LGA observation.4Official
Population Female5,400 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
Population Male5,149 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
Population10,545 people10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official
Population over time25 published observations, 2001–2025
Population in Mackay by year, residents8,0379,11910,20111,28320012005201120152021202511,059residents

Population rose 33.9% between 2001 and 2025, from 8,261 to 11,059.

International community in Mackay

Named groups from exact city-grain official distributions. Citizenship, birthplace, language and ancestry answer different questions and stay separate.

Country of birth

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G01 total persons denominator · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total persons10,545100.0%
Australia8,71282.6%
Elsewhere (excludes country of birth not stated)1,12710.7%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source2

Country of birth

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G09 PERSONS total across age groups and sex · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total10,545100.0%
Australia8,71282.6%
Country of birth not stated7056.7%
England1831.7%
New Zealand1811.7%
Born elsewhere(d)1271.2%
Philippines1241.2%
South Africa740.7%
Taiwan490.5%
India450.4%
Germany290.3%
Show 28 more groups
Published groupPeopleShare
Netherlands260.2%
United States of America260.2%
Scotland230.2%
Thailand190.2%
Korea, Republic of (South)170.2%
Malaysia170.2%
Canada160.2%
Vietnam160.2%
Nepal140.1%
Papua New Guinea140.1%
Sri Lanka110.1%
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)(c)100.1%
Ireland100.1%
Hong Kong (SAR of China)(c)90.1%
Zimbabwe90.1%
Fiji80.1%
Indonesia50.0%
Iran50.0%
Poland50.0%
France40.0%
Italy40.0%
Singapore40.0%
Brazil30.0%
Egypt30.0%
Japan30.0%
Malta30.0%
Pakistan30.0%
Wales30.0%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source2

Citizenship

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G01 total persons denominator · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total persons10,545100.0%
Australian citizen9,34588.6%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source2

Is Mackay a good place to live?

There is no universal answer. The profile scores below show who the available published evidence may suit; they are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.

Try your profile
Remote worker48%strong on work, weak on air quality · range 38–58%
Skilled employee56%strong on legal route, weak on safety · range 48–64%
Student46%strong on education, weak on safety · range 38–54%
Family56%strong on family, weak on safety · range 47–65%
Retirement55%strong on legal route, weak on admin · range 42–68%
Foreign residents11,981 people10 Aug 2021Official source · Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality.
Population10,545 people10 Aug 2021Official source · 2021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia
Dwellings4,400 dwellings31 Dec 2021Official source · Australian Bureau of Statistics
Employment rate52.7 %31 Dec 2021Official source · Australian Bureau of Statistics
Median gross salary (regional)1,511 EUR/month31 Dec 2021Official source · www.abs.gov.au
Unemployment rate3.2 %31 Mar 2026Independent source · DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026
Every value keeps its source, geographic scope and verification date · Last checked 2026-08-27

Additional context

MetricValuePeriodSource
Residents born abroad10.69 %10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official
Households3,989 households31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
Labour force participation rate55.3 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics2Official
Median age38 years10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official
Median Monthly Mortgage Repayment Aud1,213 AUD/month10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia2Official

Yes — migrants can receive medical care in Mackay when the national insurance or residence conditions are met.

Healthcare access follows the country-wide insurance rules; local capacity facts remain city data and are not used as proof of eligibility.

Open the official coverage guide
Country rule verified 2026-08-03.

Common questions

Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.

What is the typical salary around Mackay?

The median gross salary is 1,511 EUR/month. Source: www.abs.gov.au.

What is the unemployment rate in Mackay?

The unemployment rate is 3.2 %. Source: DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026.

How many people live in Mackay?

The published population is 10,545 people. Source: 2021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia.

How many foreign residents live in Mackay?

11,981 people residents hold a foreign nationality. Source: Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality..

How much is public transport in Mackay?

A monthly transport pass is 61.11 EUR/month. This is a supplemental estimate, not an official municipal measurement. Source: Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934).

Is Mackay a good place to live?

Mackay may suit different people for different reasons. The page's profile scores compare published cost, work, housing, safety, healthcare and other available factors; they are a decision aid, not a universal recommendation.

How many people born in Australia live in Mackay?

The official country of birth distribution records 8,712 people (82.6%) in the source-defined population for 2021 Census. This is a country of birth measure, not a general estimate of ethnicity or migration status.

Cite this page

Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.

APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 12). Mackay, Australia: rent, salary, jobs, taxes [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/mackay/ Retrieved 2026-09-12. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_mackay-australia-rent-salary-jobs-taxes_980c76d771c9,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Mackay, Australia: rent, salary, jobs, taxes},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-12},
  version = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  snapshot = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/mackay/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-12. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
Markdown citation
[Mackay, Australia: rent, salary, jobs, taxes](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/mackay/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; retrieved 2026-09-12; built 2026-09-12.

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.

Sources

JSON Markdown
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics abs.gov.au · checked 2026-08-03
  2. Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality. abs.gov.au · checked 2021-08-10
  3. Official ASGS2016 SUA area from ABS ArcGIS attributes, area_albers_sqkm. Exact queue geography; not GCCSA or LGA. geo.abs.gov.au · checked 2016-07-01
  4. Reproducible exact-ASGS2016-SUA density: ABS ERP at 30 June 2021 divided by ABS ASGS2016 SUA area. Existing local population baseline is only a recovered cross-check; no GCCSA/LGA observation. abs.gov.au · checked 2021-06-30
  5. WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station MACKAY MO WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 · ncei.noaa.gov · checked 2026-07-31
  6. www.abs.gov.au abs.gov.au · checked 2026-08-27
  7. DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026 DEWR · dewr.gov.au · checked 2026-07-26
  8. Numbeo numbeo.com · checked 2026-08-04
  9. Numbeo — Cost of Living in Mackay (Wayback capture 20250519060934) Numbeo · web.archive.org · checked 2026-08-01

Spotted a number that looks wrong? Every value here carries its source and date — tell us what you found and we will re-check it against the source.