This briefing shows that Karratha has been a strong performing economy throughout the 2001- 2006 period. During 2001-2006, Karratha created more jobs, and hence employment, than would have been expected given the specialisation if its industrial base which is highly oriented to the resources industries. This trend can be attributed to the strength of the resource sector, particularly after 2006. Job creation and employment continued to grow at an even faster rate in the construction, mining and support industries 2006-2011 after the mining boom hits its peak in 2007. The Karratha economy is driven by a highly specialised economy, with mining and construction dominating employment. Other mining support industries showed strong growth, particularly in the 2006-2011 period. Compared to the broader Western Australian economy, Karratha demonstrated comparative advantage, although its lack of industry diversity points to potential economic vulnerability. As a corollary, during this period, employment became increasingly spatially concentrated, with Karratha outperforming the level of job creation at the State level.

In the 2001-2006 period, Karratha had comparative advantage in the following sectors:  Rental, hiring & real estate services  Public administration & safety  Mining  Construction  Electricity, gas, water & waste services  Transport, postal & warehousing  Industries inadequately stated

In the same period, Karratha had competitive advantage in the following sectors:  Rental, hiring & real estate services  Public administration & safety  Mining  Construction  Transport, postal & warehousing

In the 2006-2011 period, Karratha had comparative advantage in the following sectors:  Rental, hiring & real estate services  Mining