Mining Workers in Demand

Australia’s mining and resources industries continue to power the national economy and drive regional development. According to the Minerals Council of Australia, strong global demand—particularly for lithium, iron ore, copper, and coal—is creating thousands of jobs. In fact, recent estimates suggest the sector will need over 24,000 additional skilled workers by 2030 to meet project demand, particularly in Western Australia and Queensland.

Whether you’re looking for a hands-on role or a career in science, engineering, or safety, the mining industry offers lucrative opportunities with clear career progression and strong job security.

Why the Demand?

Australia is one of the world’s top producers of iron ore, bauxite, copper, gold, lithium and coal. As global infrastructure, energy, and technology sectors expand—especially with the shift toward electric vehicles and renewables—the demand for critical minerals is growing fast. That means a parallel demand for mining professionals, tradespeople, and semi-skilled operators across exploration, production, and environmental management.

High-Demand Roles in Mining

Semi-skilled roles

These include driller’s assistants, field labourers, trainee operators and utility workers. Most require good physical fitness, a strong work ethic, and basic training. Entry-level TAFE qualifications can be advantageous.

Skilled trades and operators

Examples include dump truck drivers, plant operators, drillers, fitters, electricians, and diesel mechanics. These roles typically require:

• A Certificate III trade qualification or nationally recognised training
• Relevant machinery or HR/MC vehicle licenses
• Safety certifications such as MARCSTA or White Card

Technical and supervisory roles

These include mine planners, geoscience technicians, safety advisors and environmental officers. Many of these roles require a TAFE diploma or university qualification and on-site experience.

Professional roles

Engineers (civil, electrical, mining), environmental scientists, geologists, HR managers and project managers typically require bachelor’s degrees and specialised postgraduate qualifications.

Explore our range of mining courses and engineering qualifications to upskill for these roles.

Where the Jobs Are

While mining occurs in every state and territory, the largest projects and most employment opportunities are in:

• Western Australia – especially for iron ore, lithium and nickel
• Queensland – particularly in coal, copper, and gas
• South Australia and the Northern Territory – with growing demand for critical minerals

Many roles are available on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) or drive-in drive-out (DIDO) basis from major cities or regional hubs.

Working Conditions and Pay

Mining roles are typically offered on rostered schedules—often two weeks on, one week off (2:1), or similar FIFO setups. While hours are long, the financial benefits are substantial:

• Median full-time weekly earnings in mining are over $2,600, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the highest of any industry.
• Apprentices and trainees can earn significantly above-average wages compared to their counterparts in other sectors.

Women in Mining

Women now make up over 20% of Australia’s mining workforce—a number steadily increasing. Companies are actively recruiting women for both operational and professional roles and have introduced family-friendly policies, equal pay initiatives, and inclusive safety culture programs.

Women are especially in demand for machine operator roles, with some data suggesting they cause less equipment wear and have fewer on-site incidents. Learn more about women in mining.

Getting Started: What You’ll Need

For most operational or trade jobs in mining, employers may require:

• Certificate II or III in mining or trades (e.g. MEM30219 – Certificate III in Engineering)
• White Card or MARCSTA safety training
• HR or MR truck licence
• First aid certification
• Medical fitness and drug/alcohol screening
• A clean police check

If you’re at university, consider applying for ‘vac work’ (vacation placements) offered by mining companies during summer breaks. These short-term paid opportunities help build practical experience and open doors to graduate roles.

Browse online and flexible mining-related training options to start gaining your skills.

Job Application Tips

Make sure your resume is tailored to the job you’re applying for and clearly lists relevant experience, licences and training. A professional cover letter should briefly highlight your strengths and enthusiasm for the industry.

Use these free templates to get started:

• Sample dump truck operator resume
• Sample cover letter

Search for jobs on platforms like Seek, Indeed, or directly on mining company and contractor websites.