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Rising floodwaters have cut north Queensland's main transport corridor, with more rain on the way.

The Bruce Highway is closed in multiple locations in the state's north and flood warnings have been issued for a number of river systems across Queensland, with further warnings likely in coming days.

Major flood warnings are current for the Don River and Pioneer River.

Mackay residents have been warned to avoid parking in parts of the CBD with the Pioneer River expected to peak at around 7am on Tuesday.

Daily rainfall totals is some areas could exceed 200mm, with isolated totals up to 400mm possible, forecasters warn.

The Bureau of Meteorology says six-hour rainfall totals of up to 180mm are likely in Mackay, Proserpine, Bowen, Collinsville, Hamilton Island and Ayr.

However, the coast and ranges north of Mackay could be pummelled with between 250mm and 400mm in the next 24 hours.

"Locally intense rainfall which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is also possible over far southeastern parts of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin coast and the Central Coast and Whitsundays," the bureau said in an alert on Monday afternoon.

The forecaster said six-hour totals of up to 150mm are possible in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields districts as well.

It follows days of wet weather with 24-hour falls of 317mm recorded at Jubilee Pocket, 299mm at Peter Faust Dam, 252mm at Preston, 237mm at Bowen and 230mm at Proserpine.

Acting Premier Steven Miles says a number of people have been rescued from floodwaters or stranded by road closures, but no lives have been lost.

He urged people to take care.

"If the road's closed, if it's flooded, forget it," Mr Miles told reporters in Maryborough.

Rain and thunderstorms will continue until Wednesday around the central coast of Queensland, while showers and thunderstorms will continue across much of northern Australia and inland Queensland.

Rain and storms may ease later on Wednesday as the trough weakens and moves northwards and offshore.

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Workers in low-paid occupations are getting much bigger bumps in their pay packets compared to their higher-skilled counterparts.

Treasury analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data found wages for the lowest skilled occupations grew 2.3 per cent in the three months to September but just 1.2 per cent for the most skilled workers.

The industrial umpire's decision to lift the minimum wage boosted wages in this category for the September quarter.

More than 400,000 Australian workers got a boost to their pay slips after the Fair Work Commission's decision, with affected full-time workers pocketing an extra $40 a week.

Workers in retail, administration and support services - such as cleaning and gardening - and services such as hair and beauty experienced the strongest wage growth in the September quarter.

The analysis showed wages grew at their fastest rate in nearly a decade in the September quarter.

But sky-high inflation is eroding these gains, with wages contracting at a rapid rate when accounting for the rising cost of living.

While some have raised concerns about higher wages putting upwards pressure on inflation, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said wages were not to blame for the inflation crisis.

"We have an inflation problem because of a war in Ukraine, pressure on global supply chains and other challenges ignored for too long," he said.

The December quarter wage price index will be released on February 22.

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An overjoyed Olivia Gadecki was almost lost for words after living up to the hype to be the first home hope to advance to the Australian Open second round.

The emerging star vindicated her wildcard entry with a rousing 7-5 6-1 victory over teenage qualifier Polina Kudermetova on a bittersweet opening day for the locals at Melbourne Park.

Veteran John Millman, the born-again Jason Kubler and excitement machine Rinky Hijikata also progressed but Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson crashed out while, in a mighty blow for organisers, the biggest home hope of all Nick Kyrgios withdrew with a knee injury.

There was no such despair for Gadecki, only pure elation.

Mentored by retired reigning champion Ash Barty, Gadecki was making her much-anticipated grand slam main-draw debut after missing the entire summer last year after declining to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

"She (Barty) sent me a text after my match, which really meant a lot," Gadecki said.

"I'm sure everyone kind of knows she's always been in my corner, and I'm so lucky to have her.

"Whenever I need advice or anything, I'm always able to contact her."

Gadecki's decision to sit out the 2022 Open came after she'd burst onto the international stage with a stunning victory over 2020 champion Sofia Kenin at the 2021 Phillip Island Trophy event at Melbourne Park.

The prodigy backed up that win with a rapid rise up the rankings under esteemed coach David Taylor, Samantha Stosur's long-time former ally and mentor of greats including Martina Hingis and Naomi Osaka.

"It's definitely a relief, but I knew what my decision entailed and I totally respect everyone's opinion and personal choice," Gadecki said of her Melbourne Park breakthrough.

"I'm just grateful to be here."

While fans have had to wait to see Gadecki in action at her home slam, the 20-year-old didn't disappoint after finally making her debut.

She seized the opening set against Kudermetova with the only break of the set, nailing a booming backhand down the line in the 12th game to draw rapturous applause from spectators on Court 8.

The adrenaline surge triggered a run of six straight games won for Gadecki as the young gun powered to her first grand slam triumph in 76 minutes.

"I actually can't believe it. Wow, I'm speechless," Gadecki beamed.

"It's such an amazing crowd, my home slam, my first-ever main-draw grand slam win. I mean, a girl can only dream."

Gadecki crunched seven aces, 19 winners and conceded only nine points on serve.

"It's such a confidence booster making the second round of a slam," she said.

"It's just an amazing achievement, but I definitely believe that I can do more and I'm really looking forward to my next round."

That will be a crack at exciting Ukrainian talent Marta Kostyuk on Wednesday.

Kostyuk, the world No.61, claimed the first seeded scalp of the tournament, eliminating 28th-seeded American Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-4.

Kubler beat Sebastian Baez 6-4 6-4 6-4 to continue his incredible resurgence, while Millman outlasted Swiss Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-7 (8-10) 7-5 6-7 (2-7) 6-2 6-3.

Hijikata completed a three-from-three day for the Aussie men with a stirring five-set comeback win over German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann.

The 21-year-old rejoiced after wearing down Hanfmann 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 after in a four-hour, 25-minute thriller.

But Gibson bowed out with a 6-3 6-4 loss to French qualifier Clara Burel and Hunter lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 loss to Xinyu Wang.

© AAP 2023