This figure represents three times the number of resource-related jobs previously estimated.

The RBA’s Industry Dimensions of the Resource Boom research paper said the resource economy accounted for 18% of Australia’s gross value add, or $250 billion of the nation’s annual output.

The research also suggested the influence of the resources sector reached far beyond the mouth of the mine.

Total employment accounted for by the resource economy is estimated to have doubled since the mid-2000s; but “direct employment” in the resource extraction sector, as measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, accounted for only one-third of total resources employment.

The Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) said the data should “put to bed any demonisation” of Australia's mining, oil and gas employers.

AMMA chief executive Steve Knott called the report a demonstration of the full breadth of the industry’s contribution to the national economy.

"The resource industry continues to be the fastest growing source of employment for Australians, having created 130,000 direct jobs over the past five years and 28,500 new Australian jobs in 2012 alone," Knott said.

"The RBA has now produced incontrovertible evidence backing what the industry has been saying for a long time - the indirect flow-on effects of the Australian resources sector have far wider employment and economic benefits than it is given credit for.

"Trade unions should stop spending members' funds on expensive political campaigns designed to mislead the Australian public on matters like the distribution of wealth and skilled migration."

Knott said the report's reference to a “resource economy” was highly reflective of the wider flow-on benefits of the industry's heightened investment activity and added that the statistics refuted some longstanding myths about the industry.

"Department of Immigration figures also show more than 92% of new jobs created in the resource industry are taken by Australian workers, debunking negative claims regarding the role of migration in the sector," he said.

"The RBA has highlighted how beneficial a strong resource industry is for long-term employment. As a nation we should be developing more effective policies to sustain these benefits, not stifling growth through heavy taxation and increased red-tape.

"It's now time to move beyond treating Australia's resources investment as a temporary 'boom'. Government needs to work cooperatively with industry to foster long-term sustainability, increase our international competitiveness and get our productivity on par with other nations."