WA resources sector spend hits record high
The WA resources sector reported a record spend of $166b in 2025 —the equivalent of $454m every day — according to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) WA’s latest economic contribution survey. The spend includes $26b in wages to direct employees, $101.4b in payments made to contractors, community groups and local governments as well as $38.6b paid in taxes and royalties to the State and Federal governments. The majority of the spend occurred in WA, accounting for $114b, where the resources sector now supports two in five jobs and provides just under a quarter of the WA Government’s general revenue, according to data from the CME. CME chief executive Aaron Morey says the rise of the WA resources sector had created hundreds of thousands of jobs, transformed national living standards and provided a funding base for the services Australians rely on every day. “The WA resources paid $26.9b in taxes last year, which is around $74m every day,” he said. In addition to the wages paid to 144,784 direct employees, the survey found industry payments to suppliers and contractors had more than doubled in the space of three years to reach $100.6b to more than 26,000 local businesses in FY25. “Behind every mine or energy project is a network of local businesses — accountants, caterers, engineers — supporting jobs in communities across Australia,” Mr Morey said. “Each of those businesses plays a vital role for our sector — and our sector in turn is a vital source of income for those suppliers and contractors. “It is a powerful demonstration of the multiplier effect of a strong resources sector that is supported to invest in the infrastructure, technology and people to remain competitive in an increasingly contested global landscape.”
