Ready to take the next step in your journalism career?

Life Publishing Group is looking for a passionate, community-minded Journalist to become our principal journalist on the ground in Mackay.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a journalist in the first or second year of their career who already has at least 12 months’ experience working in a newspaper environment and is ready to take on greater responsibility, build their profile and become a trusted voice within the Mackay community.

You’ll be out and about every week — meeting locals, finding great stories, attending events, interviewing everyone from community members to business owners and politicians, and producing engaging journalism that people genuinely want to read.

About the Role

As our Mackay Journalist, you’ll be at the heart of our local news operation, sourcing and producing weekly content for Mackay Life, as well as contributing to our magazines, Core Life and Tripping Magazine.

You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of the Mackay news landscape, develop strong relationships within the community and play an significant role in shaping the stories we tell.

This is a role for someone who wants to progress their career, not simply fill pages.

You’ll work closely with our Editor in Chief and wider editorial, design and production team, while also having the independence to get out into the community and make the role your own.

What You’ll Be Doing

- Sourcing and writing engaging local news, community, business and human-interest stories




- Building strong relationships with people and organisations across Mackay
- Interviewing a diverse range of community members, from local residents to business leaders and politicians
- Attending community events, launches, council meetings and local happenings
- Taking strong, engaging photographs to accompany your stories
- Creating digital content, including video reels and social media stories
- Identifying the stories that matter to the Mackay community
- Working with editors, designers and photographers to produce high-quality publications
- Meeting weekly editorial deadlines
- Contributing ideas and taking an active role in the direction of our local coverage

What We’re Looking For

We’re ideally looking for someone who:

- Is in their first or second year of their journalism career
- Has a minimum of one year’s experience working for a newspaper
- Has a genuine passion for local journalism and community storytelling
- Is confident interviewing people and building relationships
- Is curious, proactive and always looking for the next story
- Can work independently and take ownership of their workload
- Has excellent writing, communication and organisational skills




- Is comfortable working to weekly deadlines
- Enjoys being out in the community and meeting people
- Has an interest in developing their digital journalism and social media skills
- Has a friendly, approachable and can-do attitude
- Is comfortable working outside standard hours when the story or event requires it

A valid driver's licence, reliable vehicle, phone and laptop are required.

Why Join Life Publishing Group?

Life Publishing Group is a growing, independently owned North Queensland media company with a strong focus on positive, relevant and genuinely local journalism.

We believe regional communities deserve great journalism — and we want our journalists to be part of those communities, not simply reporting on them from behind a desk.

This role offers the opportunity to:

- Take the next step in your journalism career
- Become a recognised journalist within the Mackay community
- Build an impressive portfolio across newspapers and magazines
- Develop your skills across print, digital and social media
- Work alongside an experienced editorial team
- Have real ownership over your local patch
- Grow with a rapidly expanding regional media company

If you’re a journalist who is ready to step up, get out into the community and make your mark in Mackay, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now with your resume and a covering letter telling us a little about yourself, your journalism experience and why you think you’d be a great fit for Life Publishing Group.

📌 Journalist (Mackay)
🏢 Core Publishing and Events
📍 Mackay