Index
- What does the mining industry offer?
- What Qualifications you might need
- Working Conditions
- Family and Relationships
- Age, Health, and Fitness
- Shifts/Operating Hours
- Travel to & from
- Diversity for Women
- Sponsorships
- Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander Candidates
- Securing Employment with a Disability
- Non-English Speaking Backgrounds/Sponsorships
- Finding a Job
- Online Presence and Social Media
- Transferrable Skills
- Informative Job Descriptions, know your role
What does the mining industry offer?
- High earning potential: Jobs in the mining industry often come with competitive salaries and benefits packages.
- Job security: The mining industry is a stable and growing sector, providing long-term career prospects and job security.
- Opportunities for advancement: There are various paths to advance in the mining industry, with opportunities to learn new skills and take on leadership roles.
- Exposure to innovative technology: The mining industry is constantly evolving and adopting new technologies, providing opportunities to work with cutting-edge equipment and tools.
- Global work opportunities: The mining industry operates in many different countries, offering the chance to work in diverse and exciting locations around the world.
- Contributions to society: The mining industry plays a vital role in the production of essential resources, including minerals, metals, and fossil fuels, which are used in everything from transportation to healthcare.
- Training and development: Many mining companies offer extensive training and development programs to help employees learn new skills and advance their careers.
- Strong community involvement: Mining companies are often deeply involved in the communities where they operate, providing support for local initiatives and programs.
- Positive impact on the economy: The mining industry contributes significantly to the economy by providing jobs, tax revenue, and investments in local infrastructure.
- Health and safety: The mining industry places a high priority on health and safety, with strict regulations and protocols in place to ensure the well-being of employees and the environment.
What Qualifications you might need
Working Conditions
Working in a mine is physically demanding and can be dangerous. It requires the use of heavy machinery and equipment, and miners often work in extreme conditions, such as underground or in harsh environments. However, mining companies prioritize safety and invest heavily in equipment and training to mitigate these risks.
Mining companies also offer various benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development. In addition, many mining operations provide on-site housing and meals, which can be an attractive option for employees who prefer to work in remote locations.
Family and Relationships
Some individuals and families may find it difficult to adjust to working fixed and/or rotating rosters. Working on a rotating roster means that you may miss special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and public holidays. You must consider the impact on family and friends who rely on your support when thinking about moving to the mining industry.
Age, Health, and Fitness
The minimum age requirement for apprentices is 16 years old, and there is no maximum age limit. Mature aged workers are valued in the mining industry for their experience and knowledge. Employers conduct medical checks during the recruitment process and throughout your employment to ensure your health and fitness meet the requirements of the organization and site. It is important to disclose any medical conditions that may affect your ability to perform the job. Employees will undergo random drug and alcohol tests regularly before commencing work and must maintain a negative reading during their shift.
Shifts/Operating Hours
The type of work and schedule you will have depends on the job requirements. Rosters may range from 5 days on and 2 days off to 7 days on and 4 days off. These schedules will be structured to suit the mine’s needs. As the mine operates 24/7, it may not guarantee time off for public holidays like Christmas and New Year, and annual leave during this period is not guaranteed.
Travel to & from
Travel: Fly in Fly out
A FIFO worker will fly to a job site to work, depending on the length of their roster ( more commonly known as ‘swing.’) The swing could be anything from one to three weeks and then the employee will fly home.
Rosters vary, depending on the companies arrangement, with their employee. It is cheaper for the employer to fly an employee to the site for the length of their roster as opposed to permanently relocating the employee and their family.
Travel: Drive in Drive out
DIDO workers drive themselves to the mine site and stay onsite for the duration of their roster. Some D.I.D.O workers report that the long distances they are forced to drive at the end of an extended night shift can cause them to fall asleep at the wheel. Research has shown that D.I.D.O workers with extended rosters and longer shifts are more likely to suffer from burn out and subsequently ceasing employment. DIDO and Fatigue
Travel: Bus in Bus out
BIBO workers will be collected from the airport, or a specific location and taken to camp by bus.
Click here for a full list of mining industry acronyms, slang and other lingo you need to know!
Travel: Residential
Some mine sites are located in regional areas, and the company hire from the local communities. You will need to relocate or be living in the local area. Some sites will provide daily transport to and from the mine.
Diversity for Women
The resource industry workforce currently comprises around 22% women which has increase a whopping 417.25% since 2022. Although many roles remain male-dominated, resource employers recognize the value of diversity in the workforce and strive to increase the number of women in all job levels. The Australian Government encourages employers to engage with female job seekers. To view all current female positions please click here.
Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander Candidates
The mining industry is committed to employing people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and has specific training, development, and recruitment programs in place for these candidates. More information about these programs is available below:
Securing Employment with a Disability
Having a disability should not impede anyone from obtaining employment, provided that they can fulfill the job requirements. During pre-employment medical tests, be sure to disclose any disabilities or assistance needed.
Non-English Speaking Backgrounds
The mining industry values diversity and inclusion, including people from non-English speaking backgrounds. Many mining companies have programs and initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining employees from diverse backgrounds, including those who speak languages other than English. In fact, many mining operations are located in areas with diverse populations, and mining companies recognize the importance of engaging with and reflecting the communities in which they operate. Additionally, having employees who speak multiple languages can be beneficial for communication and collaboration, especially in international mining projects. As you have the necessary qualifications, skills, and experience to perform the job accurately and communicate and follow instructions you will be able to find a place in the mining industry.
Sponsorships
If you hold a valid permit or visa to work in Australia, you can apply for mining jobs. However, some organizations may require Australian Permanent Residency or Citizenship. The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship mandates that visa applicants attain a specific International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score to live and work in Australia. IELTS measures the English proficiency of applicants worldwide and is recognised by many international organisations, including universities, immigration and citizenship departments, government agencies, multinational organisations, and professional bodies.
Finding a Job
Start job hunting by maintaining an up-to-date resume and cover letter that highlights your transferable skills, qualifications, and licenses. For a guide on how to write a resume see the link below
Next is to begin the search for a job you are interest in. Here at Atlam Group we have thousands of jobs for entry level and more experienced positions tailored to the mining, oil, gas and construction industry.
Online Presence and Social Media
Many organisations in the resource sector, related construction, and allied service industries use social media and technology to locate ideal candidates. Companies will conduct background checks when a job applicant’s social media profile provides insight into their reputation, professional history, personality so keep your profile nice and clean. Recruiters use social media to:
- Verify that the applicant’s online profile corroborates the information provided in their resume.
- Compare similar candidates to select the most suitable one.
- Look for indicators that may disqualify the applicant.
- Evaluate the applicant’s professional image, experience, and network.
The good news is that you have the opportunity to be discovered online, but you must invest time and effort in building an impressive and professional image that stands out from the rest. Here are some tips for successfully securing employment through social media:
- Make sure your profile is complete.
- Build a strong network on websites like LinkedIn
- Maintain a good balance between personal and professional status updates.
- Be active in your online professional community.
- Link to interesting information and respected industry websites and groups.
- Showcase your skills and experience.
- List your participation in community projects such as volunteer activities.
- Focus your job hunting efforts through trusted social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
- Take the time to create a comprehensive profile with relevant, compelling information.
Tip: Social media is an effective job hunting and recruitment tool if used correctly. The key to success is to create an impressive and professional image that captures the attention of potential employers and recruiters. With the right combination of social media profiles and activity, you can gain an edge over the competition and build your professional brand within the mining industry.
Transferrable Skills
Transferrable skills are abilities acquired through jobs, education, projects, family, hobbies, and sports. These skills may be applicable to many different career paths.
To demonstrate your ability to perform a particular job, it is important to understand the nature of the work. Review all your previous experiences to identify the transferrable skills you can apply to a new role.
How can I identify my transferrable skills?
Identifying your transferable skills is an essential part of finding a new job or transitioning to a new career. Transferable skills are skills you’ve acquired in one area of your life that can be applied in a different area, and can make you a desirable candidate for employers.
Here are some steps to help you identify your transferable skills:
- Identify the skills you use in your current or past jobs: Make a list of all the skills you use or have used in your current or past jobs. These could include things like problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, organization, and time management.
- Think about your hobbies and interests: Your hobbies and interests can often be a source of transferable skills. For example, if you play team sports, you may have developed skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership.
- Consider your education and training: Your education and training can provide you with a range of skills that can be transferred to different fields. For example, if you have a degree in engineering, you may have developed skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
- Identify your personality traits: Your personality traits can also provide you with transferable skills. For example, if you’re an empathetic person, you may have developed skills in communication and teamwork.
- Analyze job postings: Look at job postings in the field you’re interested in and identify the skills that employers are looking for. This can give you an idea of the transferable skills you need to highlight on your resume and in your cover letter.
- Ask for feedback: Ask your colleagues, friends, and family members for feedback on your skills. They may be able to identify transferable skills that you haven’t thought of.
- Practice self-reflection: Take time to reflect on your experiences and identify the skills you used to achieve your goals. This can be a powerful way to identify transferable skills that you can use in your next job.
Remember that identifying your transferable skills is just the first step. It’s also important to communicate these skills effectively to potential employers. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve used your transferable skills in the past and how they can be applied to the job you’re applying for. With a little effort, you can leverage your transferable skills to find a job you love.
Informative Job Descriptions, know your role
- Administration
- Boilermaker / Welder / Tradesperson
- Civil Engineer
- Construction Trainee
- Diesel Fitter
- Drillers Offsider
- Dump Truck Trainee
- Earth mover/Operator
- Engineer
- Entry level mining jobs
- Heavy Rigid (HR) Driver
- Hydraulic Fitter
- Laborer
- Leasehand
- Locomotive driver
- Moxy Operator
- Operator (Trainee)
- Safety Advisor
- Security
- Trades Assistant
- Train Driver
- Underground Mining