Australian workers will be favored in the recruitment of more than 5,000 employees for the $29 billion Wheatstone gas project in Western Australia (WA), the State Government said Wednesday.

WA Commerce Minister Simon O'Brien said he understood that Chevron and head contractor, Bechtel, firmly intended to fill as many positions as possible, first and foremost, within Australia.

"I congratulate Chevron and Bechtel for taking this action at a time when there is considerable discussion about resource project proponents, and their attitude to the use of Australian workers," O'Brien said in a statement.

"In my experience, project proponents are very keen to employ locally and overseas sourcing is only pursued when no viable local alternative exists."

O'Brien said the project would result in WA and Australia having some of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.

"The State Government will continue to work with the industry to achieve high levels of local content," he said.