Casual Labourer / Caretaker

Workabout Australia; McKinlay Shire; On-site; AUD 58,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Locality Allowance

Subsidised On-Site Accommodation

Job summary

Workabout Australia is seeking dedicated individuals or couples to maintain town beautification, parks and gardens, and depot caretaking across McKinlay and Kynuna in North West Queensland. The role forms part of Council’s Works Department and operates under the Job Foreman.

Subsidised caretaker accommodation is provided in McKinlay, supporting a rewarding country lifestyle while contributing to clean, safe public spaces for residents and visitors alike.

Qualifications

• Current C Class Driver’s Licence.
• General Safety Induction (Construction Industry) card.
• Ability to undertake outdoor labouring and maintenance activities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Sound numeracy and written communication skills.
• Experience operating ride-on mowers and small plant is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Perform town beautification tasks in McKinlay and Kynuna.
• Maintain parks and gardens, including mowing and landscaping.
• Carry out caretaking for the McKinlay Depot and township facilities.
• Operate machinery such as ride-on mowers, whipper snippers and small plant.
• Assist with general road maintenance and labour tasks as required.

Job description

(Based in McKinlay )

Closing Date: 28 October 2026

This position is based in the township of McKinlay, within McKinlay Shire, and services both the McKinlay and Kynuna townships. McKinlay Shire is located in the heart of North West Queensland, approximately 650 kilometres west of Townsville and 230 kilometres east of Mount Isa. Mount Isa offers direct flights to Brisbane, with regional services also available via Julia Creek.

McKinlay and Kynuna are welcoming outback communities that offer a relaxed rural lifestyle, strong community spirit, and a unique opportunity to enjoy the best of country living. The region hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including rodeos, campdrafts, race meetings and local celebrations.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to live and work in a close-knit community while helping maintain and enhance public spaces and facilities that are important to local residents and visitors alike. Subsidised caretaker accommodation is provided in McKinlay, making this an attractive opportunity for individuals or couples seeking a rewarding lifestyle and career in regional Queensland.

The Role

McKinlay Shire Council are looking for dedicated and reliable individuals or couples to undertake duties associated with town beautification, parks and gardens maintenance, and depot caretaking across the townships of McKinlay and Kynuna.

This role forms part of Council’s Works Department and is carried out under the direction of the Job Foreman. The successful applicant will contribute to maintaining clean, safe, and well-presented public spaces and facilities.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Current C Class Driver’s Licence
• General Safety Induction (Construction Industry) card
• The physical capability and demonstrated ability to safely undertake outdoor labouring and maintenance activities.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Sound numeracy, written, and communication skills.
• Experience operating ride-on mowers and other small plant used in open space maintenance will be highly regarded.

Key responsibilities of the role are inclusive of:

• Perform tasks associated with town beautification in McKinlay and Kynuna
• Undertake parks and gardens maintenance, including mowing, landscaping, and general upkeep
• Carry out caretaking duties for the McKinlay Depot and associated township facilities
• Operate and maintain machinery and equipment such as ride-on mowers, whipper snippers, and small plant (e.g. backhoe or Bobcat)
• Assist with general road maintenance activities, including patching and labouring tasks as required

Benefits

• Competitive Remuneration - Level 4 under the Local Government Industry Award (Stream B), offering a strong hourly rate of $42.95 per hour, plus applicable allowances.
• Locality Allowance
• Subsidized On-Site Accommodation - Comfortable caretaker accommodation provided in McKinlay, significantly reducing living costs and supporting a great work-life balance.