Cairns industry sectors

With expertise in industries such as tropical fruits, fishing and aquaculture, Cairns is also a major supply base for agricultural services. The Australian Tropical Forest Institute in Cairns is a globally renowned research institute and home to the Australian Tropical Herbarium – a collection of more than 170,000 plant specimens.

Far North Queensland is a global hub of specialist knowledge in tropical health and medicine, with researchers collaborating to alleviate diseases like malaria. 

The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, part of Cairns’ James Cook University, delivers programs encompassing public health, bi-molecular, clinical, and translational health systems research. Here, research is conducted to explore key areas including tropical infectious diseases, health security and biosecurity, chronic disorders with high prevalence in the tropics, genetic diseases and health services in regional and remote communities.

Cairns is home to a large and diverse marine sector that is centred around the marine precinct, which encompasses the Marlin Marina, three shipyards, a tourism fleet, HMAS Cairns naval base and defence contractors.

The precinct will undergo a A$360 million expansion, which will include a Common User Facility (CUF). The facility will include a 5,000-tone shiplift which will allow ships of up to 120 metres in length to be repaired and maintained. In addition to this, the Federal Government will invest A$240 million to upgrade HMAS Cairns to accommodate new Offshore Patrol Vessels.