Career snapshot: working in the mining industry

What jobs are available?

There are many different areas within the mining industry, so there are no shortage of roles to suit your skills and preferences. Mining jobs include:

• Analysis and reporting
• Health, Safety and Environment
• Management
• Mining – Drill and Blast
• Mining – Engineering and Maintenance
• Mining – Exploration and Geoscience
• Mining – Operations
• Mining – Processing
• Natural Resources and Water
• Oil and Gas – Drilling
• Oil and Gas – Engineering and Maintenance
• Oil and Gas – Exploration and Geoscience
• Oil and Gas – Operations
• Oil and Gas – Production and Refinement
• Power Generation and Distribution
• Surveying.

How do I get started in Mining?

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to getting a start in the mining industry. Some of the most common ways to get a foot in the door include:

Entry level jobs

Entry level jobs include Field Assistant, Trades Assistant, or support service roles such as Kitchenhands and Cleaners. These types of roles are usually quite competitive, so having some experience in manual labour, or heavy industrial or machinery work can be a huge advantage.

Labour hire and contracts

It is common for mining companies to go through labour hire or contracting companies for their skilled operator or trade roles. If you’re new to the industry but have the skills in these occupation areas, then labour hire and contracting companies are a great place to start.

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Some apprenticeships and traineeships are offered directly through mining companies and are usually advertised through their websites. Many are also offered through group training organisations. To find out more about Australian Apprenticeships, visit the Australian Apprenticeships website.

Graduate and Work Experience

While you’re studying, it’s a good idea to get some work experience in your chosen field. Larger mining companies usually have student and graduate programs set up with a certain amount of openings available. Reach out to the companies you’re interest in working for early as these programs can be competitive.

What does the industry currently look like in Australia?

Employment prospects in Australia’s mining industry are on the rise – jobs listed on online portal Seek saw a 52 per cent increase in job ads for mining, resources and energy in January when compared to the same period one year ago.

The largest volume for job ads for the mining industry were mining engineering and maintenance specialist and mining operators.

Mining, resources and energy remains the highest paid industry on Seek. The average annual salary advertised on Seek for Australian mining, resources and energy industry jobs is $115,005.

Who are the leading employers in the mining industry?

Some of Australia’s biggest employers in mining are:

• Evolution Mining
• UGM Australia
• Barrick Australia Pacific
• Rio Tinto
• BHP Billiton
• Fortescue Metals Group
• Arrium Mining and Materials
• Gold Fields Limited
• RUS Mining
• Orica.