The mining-boom talent shortage is attracting Australian workers away from other sectors in regional areas, to the point where even McDonald's have to look elsewhere for workers.

Queensland mining town Mount Isa's only McDonald's are having problems employing staff locally, due to the ready availability of other higher-paying jobs in the area. They are now looking to attract staff from Brisbane in order to fill the gap, offering to cover travel costs for anyone willing to take up a full-time job, which pays $718 a week.

Employees who stay for four months get a free return bus trip to Brisbane, and anyone staying for more than six months gets a plane ride back.

Small business owners in Queensland's mining regions also say they are struggling to compete with wealthy mining giants offering large incentives to potential employees.

Camp housekeepers, maintenance employees and receptionists can earn twice the salary they would in a city café or hotel. Kitchen hands at one Bowen Basin mining camp are reportedly earning more than $85,000.

It's not just small business being impacted. John McDonnell, general manager of HR Australia for hotel group Accor told Human Capital that a lot of their staff are being drawn away by the mining sector.

"We get talented people in our organisation who are strong commercially, have good leadership skills, but in places like WA a lot of our good people get snapped up by mining companies," he said.

"This is the competing market we're dealing with; 40% of our people would be under 25. That demographic is looking for 'what can you do for me?' It's not just about great uniforms and good pay - it's also trying to build learning and career development."