The Definitive Guide To Working in Australia's Mining Industry

The Definitive Guide to Working
in Australias Mining Industry
Copyright 2014
WESTjobs.com.au
Your Mining Guide ...................................................................................................................................... 7

How to use your mining guide .............................................................................................................................. 7
Beware of job-finding scams! ................................................................................................................................ 8
Advice that could change your life ...................................................................................................................... 8
The 7 most common mistakes .............................................................................................................................. 9
The 7 tips for finding a job in mining ............................................................................................................... 10
Australias Mining Industry.................................................................................................................. 13
Overview...................................................................................................................................................................... 13
History ............................................................................................................................................. 13
Gold! Gold! Gold! .......................................................................................................................... 14
Other minerals .............................................................................................................................. 14
The Australian resources boom ............................................................................................. 15
The China phenomenon ............................................................................................................ 15
Some facts about Australias mining industry .............................................................................................. 16
Has the Australian mining boom slowed? .................................................................................................. 16
The top 10 mining trends for 2013 ................................................................................................................... 17
Mining in Australia .................................................................................................................................. 21
Overview...................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Where the jobs are................................................................................................................................................... 23
Western Australia (WA)............................................................................................................ 23
Queensland (Qld) ......................................................................................................................... 24
New South Wales (NSW) .......................................................................................................... 25
Northern Territory (NT) ........................................................................................................... 26
South Australia (SA) ................................................................................................................... 26
Victoria (Vic) ................................................................................................................................. 27
Tasmania (Tas) ............................................................................................................................. 28
Types of Mining Jobs ............................................................................................................................... 29
Unskilled (entry-level) mining jobs .................................................................................................................. 29
Semi-skilled mining jobs ....................................................................................................................................... 31
Skilled mining jobs .................................................................................................................................................. 32
Geo-science jobs ........................................................................................................................... 32
Engineering jobs .......................................................................................................................... 32
Operator jobs ................................................................................................................................ 32
WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry
WESTjobs.com.au 2014
page 2
Mechanical/metal trades jobs ................................................................................................ 33

Electrical trades jobs .................................................................................................................. 33
What are the working options? .......................................................................................................................... 33
Full time .......................................................................................................................................... 33
Part time/casual/gap year jobs ............................................................................................. 34
Jobs for Graduates ....................................................................................................................... 34
Traineeships & apprenticeships ............................................................................................ 35
Fly-In, Fly-Out (FIFO) and Drive-In, Drive-Out (DIDO) Jobs ................................................................... 35
FIFO: The practice ....................................................................................................................... 35
Bus In-Bus Out (BIBO) also known as DIDO (Drive In-Drive Out) ....................... 36
What you need to know about working in remote locations .................................................................. 36
Useful links and contacts ....................................................................................................................................... 38
Unskilled mining job links ........................................................................................................ 38
Mining apprenticeships, traineeships & graduates links ............................................. 38
Tertiary educational institutions mining links ............................................................. 39
Fly-In, Fly-Out Mining Jobs ...................................................................................................... 39
Finding a Job in Mining .......................................................................................................................... 40
Overview...................................................................................................................................................................... 40
What you need to do ............................................................................................................................................... 41
Prepare, prepare, prepare ........................................................................................................ 41
A personal account of getting an unskilled job in the mining industry .............................................. 41
Have you got transferable skills?........................................................................................... 42
Have you done your research? ............................................................................................... 43
Creating your mining-focused resume ............................................................................................................ 43
Your contact details .................................................................................................................... 44
Preparing your introductory statement ............................................................................. 44
Detailing your skills .................................................................................................................... 44
Your certificates, licences and training ............................................................................... 44
Your work experience................................................................................................................ 44
Preparing your job specific cover letter .......................................................................................................... 45
Your resume and cover letter are important! ............................................................................................... 45
5 reasons why your mining job application is being ignored ................................................................. 45
Resume services ........................................................................................................................... 46
Training & Qualifications Required .................................................................................................. 47

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Overview...................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Basic qualifications ..................................................................................................................... 47
Mining training course providers ......................................................................................... 48
How/Where to Find Job Vacancies .................................................................................................... 49
Using jobs boards ..................................................................................................................................................... 50
Using social media ................................................................................................................................................... 50
LinkedIn .......................................................................................................................................... 50
Facebook ......................................................................................................................................... 51
Twitter ............................................................................................................................................. 52
How social media can hinder your search ......................................................................... 52
Australian Jobs boards .............................................................................................................. 53
Social media ................................................................................................................................... 54
International & Overseas Applicants................................................................................................ 55
What do you know about Australia?................................................................................................................. 55
Australia a vast country ......................................................................................................... 55
The Australian culture ............................................................................................................... 55
Housing in Australia ................................................................................................................... 56
Making the move to Australia ............................................................................................................................. 56
Family circumstances ................................................................................................................ 56
Obtaining your visa ..................................................................................................................... 57
Managing key dates .................................................................................................................... 57
The costs of relocation............................................................................................................... 57
Cultural issues............................................................................................................................... 58
Practical issues ............................................................................................................................. 58
Are there support services?..................................................................................................... 59
Service providers ..................................................................................................................................................... 59
Removal, relocation & storage services .............................................................................. 59
Visas for Overseas Applicants ............................................................................................................. 61
Types of Visa .............................................................................................................................................................. 61
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) ......................................... 61
Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187) ............................. 62
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Skilled Independent Visa (189) ............................................................................................. 65

Skilled Sponsored Visa (Subclass 190) ............................................................................... 66
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 489) ............................................................ 68
How do I find a 457 employer/sponsor in Australia? ............................................... 68
10 Questions to ask a potential an Australian employer/sponsor ....................................................... 70
Migration and relocation .......................................................................................................... 72
Jobs for Women in Australias Mining Industry ............................................................................ 74
Women in mining today ........................................................................................................................................ 74
Some positive changes for women in mining................................................................................................ 75
Challenges for women in mining........................................................................................................................ 75
What mining jobs are available for women? ................................................................................................. 76
Skilled jobs for women in mining ...................................................................................................................... 76
Science qualifications ................................................................................................................. 76
Business qualifications .............................................................................................................. 76
IT qualifications............................................................................................................................ 76
Trade-based qualifications ...................................................................................................... 76
Hard-hat qualifications .......................................................................................................... 76
Other qualifications .................................................................................................................... 77
Unskilled jobs for women in the mining industry ....................................................................................... 77
Women in mining ........................................................................................................................ 77
Risks of Working in the Mining Industry ........................................................................................ 79
Your personal safety ............................................................................................................................................... 79
Your ongoing health while working in the mining industry ................................................................... 79
Drugs & alcohol ......................................................................................................................................................... 80
Safety in Australias mining industry ................................................................................... 81
Learning the Language........................................................................................................................... 82
Glossary of mining terms ...................................................................................................................................... 82
More Useful Links and Contacts ......................................................................................................... 87
Major mining projects in Australia Completed & advanced ................................................................ 87
Mining contractors in Australia .......................................................................................................................... 87
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Mining companies in Australia ........................................................................................................................... 88

Mining/resources industry organisations & associations in Australia ............................................... 90
General links .............................................................................................................................................................. 91
Good luck with your mining career................................................................................................................... 91

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Your Mining Guide

Congratulations! Youve chosen the
most comprehensive guide ever
produced about working in the
Australian mining industry.
So put your feet up and check out
the practical advice and tips, the
useful information, loads of great
ideas and hundreds of contacts and
links to assist you in your mining
job search in Australia.
WESTjobs has collaborated with experts in areas such as mining recruitment, resumebuilding, training and international migration to ensure you have the best possible chance of
finding work in Australias mining industry.
You may have years of experience in an industry unrelated to mining. You may have just left
university and are looking to start your career in mining. You may be overseas, looking to
migrate to Australia for the lifestyle and better work opportunities. You may even have a
trade or a skill that the mining industry needs, but you are still a bit confused by the complex
recruitment processes, and unsure about whom to approach to help you make the right
connections and the right decisions.
Your Guide can help you with all of these situations, as long as you use it correctly and follow
the information, advice and tips it contains.
How to use your mining guide
The most productive way to get the most out of your Guide is to:
1. Read your Guide from cover to cover;
2. Select the sections from your Guide that are relevant to you;
3. Re-read those sections carefully, making notes;
4. Pay particular attention to the sections about the preparations you should make before
applying for a job;
5. Start your job-seeking process from the very beginning, by reviewing your resume;
6. Closely follow the job application steps in the Guide, using the contacts listed as well as
your own networks.
Finally, you will notice that quite a few points will be repeated several times throughout the
Guide. You will find several references to, for example, your resume, and how important it is
to create a resume that is specific to the mining industry and to the job you are applying for.
These points are not repeated by accident they are repeated deliberately to reinforce just
how important they are to your mission.
So, we wish you good luck in your search, and we look forward to welcoming you to
Australias mining industry very soon
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The Team at WESTjobs

Please note: WESTjobs is not a recruiter, nor an employer. And importantly, we cannot
assist in actually finding you a job in the mining industry. However what we can do is
what we have done in this Guide given you the best advice, tips, information and
contacts to help you reach your goals, increase your chances of finding work and, in turn,
realise your full potential.
Beware of job-finding scams!
There are always people ready and willing to scam anyone who they think might be
vulnerable, or who might be reaching out for some help. Scammers are only too happy to
provide so-called help, but it usually costs you money and when you are looking for a job it
usually just hinders, rather than helps, in your search.
So, before you read on, here are a few rules to be aware of when looking for work in Australia:
1. Reputable employers and recruiters will never ask for money from a job seeker. If you
are asked to pay up-front before you will be considered for a job, avoid that company
or person at all costs. Never pay any money up-front to secure an interview or a job.
2. Companies or individuals who absolutely guarantee or promise to find you a job are
usually not genuine in their motives. Even if you have top-level qualifications and
experience, or have been through all the proper processes and channels to find work,
there are never any absolute guarantees of employment. Always be suspicious of such
promises and guarantees.
3. Dont pay for any documents, booklets or publications that come with a promise of
employment in the mining industry. There are plenty of them around and many of
them are totally worthless. They will often try to lure you with statements such as
employers are hiring, or mining is hiring. If you come across such statements, check
their authenticity with the company to see if they require you to part with your money
first, before they will tell you anymore.
4. Beware of migration/employment scams. Many so-called migration agents are not
registered migration agents at all. Some unscrupulous agents will lure you with the
promise of residency, employment and housing. The Australian government has a list
of registered migration agents. If your agent doesnt appear on this list, dont use
them!
5. Always remember and abide by the golden rule If it looks or sounds too good to be
true, it usually is!
Advice that could change your life
Like you, most job seekers believe strongly in their own abilities. Like you, most feel that they
just need to be given a chance to prove that they are hardworking and capable of learning
whatever is required. They are admirable qualities, however
finding a job in Australias mining industry really isnt that simple!

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The high level of competition for mining jobs in Australia, even for entry-level jobs like
cleaners, catering staff and labourers, dictates that you must be thoroughly prepared if you
want to succeed. You should inform yourself of the risks inherent in the industry, you should
understand the recruitment processes and you should be prepared to take advantage of any
opportunity that arises from your efforts to find your ideal job in mining.
Perhaps the most valuable advice we can give you is to avoid the 7 most common mistakes
that people make when attempting to get a job in mining in Australia. These have been
compiled by experts - people with decades of experience in mining recruitment in Australia people who have been at the coal face when reviewing resumes, interviewing applicants and
making recruitment decisions and recommendations to employers.
Importantly, you must avoid these 7 most common mistakes. Any one of them could
stop you getting an interview, let alone a job!
The 7 most common mistakes
These mistakes are often made by people
applying for mining jobs in Australia.
Avoiding them at all costs is a sure way to
get your application noticed and moved to
the top of the pile of the thousands and
thousands of applications received every
week!
They will also dispel some of the common
perceptions about mining jobs right from
the start, so you are fully aware of what is
fact and what is fiction when it comes to
working in the competitive world of
Australian mining. Much of what you have
already heard may not be true and, although
we dont mean to put you off before you
start your search, you do need to be aware
of the facts.
So, read the following carefully and take our advice seriously. Dont let your opportunities or
your career suffer from these 7 very common mistakes
1.
Telling employers and recruiters, I am prepared to do anything.

Mining companies and mining recruiters receive hundreds of applications and resumes
every day, and they simply dont have the time to read through yours just to work out
which position might best suit you. That is your job. Do your research and make it clear
which role you believe would be best suited to you, and where. By all means emphasise
that you are flexible, but at the same time be fairly specific about what you want to do.
2.
Not doing any research.

You must research and understand exactly what the company you are applying to does,
and what the job entails, and tailor your resume and your application to those specific
requirements. You should also focus research on such aspects as where you want to work,

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what type of work you would be prepared to undertake, what pre-existing skills or
experience you have that might be helpful.
3.
Submitting a poorly constructed, non mining-focused resume.

Your resume must answer a simple question: You are not experienced or qualified for this
role, so why should I hire you? Think about your experience, your skills (particularly your
transferable skills) and focus on how those skills could be applied and developed to make
you the ideal candidate for the role you are applying for.
4.
Scattering your resume everywhere.

Blindly submitting the same resume to everybody, with no specific reference to a target
company, or the role you are seeking, will only ensure that your resume ends up in the
bin. Be focused and targeted in your preparations and your application.
5.
Ignoring tools that are readily available to you.

Much of the information you will need is readily available to you online. For example,
some basic steps to take are:
a. Visit the employers website. Learn about them, their operations, their culture, their
future plans, and incorporate into your resume or application.
b. Check your social media profile. Look at your profile objectively, particularly from a
prospective employers viewpoint. What impression will they get of you? Good or
not-so-good?
c. Like the employers Facebook page. This will bring you into the loop so you can
learn about their culture, issues the company and the employees are facing.
d. Join discussion groups. There are plenty of employer-specific and industry-specific
groups that could help you learn about a companys culture, operations and business
objectives.
e. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date, if you dont have one, it might be time
to create one.
6.
Ignoring industry suppliers and contractors.

Suppliers and contractors to the mining industry are often the ones with the greatest
demand for workers. Some mining companies outsource their total operations to
suppliers or contractors. Find out who they are, what they do, and target them.
7.
Thinking that employers are just waiting to pay you lots of money.
Mining is a competitive and highly-efficient industry, run under very strict safety and
productivity guidelines. So although you may have heard stories about huge salaries for
menial jobs, they are largely myths. However, there is big money to be made if you
approach things in the right way. This includes being prepared to start at the bottom, and
then work your way up.
The 7 tips for finding a job in mining

1. Seek out and talk to as many people as possible who already work in mining jobs to
find out what its really like. Then think about whether it will suit you.
Do your research, talk to people in the know about what its like to work on a mine site.
Go online and browse relevant websites and blogs. Working on a remote mine site isnt

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for everyone and conditions can be very tough. A laid back, team player attitude and
willingness to give and take, is going to be very important.
2. Do your homework and start networking.
Really inform yourself about the industry. Find out everything you can. Start networking
by contacting relevant recruitment companies and by letting family and friends know you
are looking for mining work, because you never know who they know or to whom theyve
been talking. You may need to cultivate your network for some time but its important to
keep in mind this is one industry where its a lot about who you know, not always what
you know.
3. Have a well-presented mining-focused resume.
Make sure your resume is clear and concise (see our tips on preparing your resume) and
tuned to the role you are applying for, and to the employers needs. Include relevant
written references from previous employers, and try to include both work experience and
personal/character references in your resume.
4. Be willing to compromise on a job level and on shift work.
Be prepared to take a lower level or lower paid job than you were expecting. It wont take
long to work your way up to the job you want if youre diligent and patient. Also be willing
to compromise on the shift you work as well. Some require you to rotate, some require
you to work nights, and some will be day shifts; it will depend on the company and their
labour requirements. Once you have your foot in the door you should be able to negotiate
your way up the ladder.
5. Be realistic about earnings everything comes at a price!
Try not to be too blinded by the promise of huge salaries, and do expect to have to prove
yourself in a dirty, unpleasant, lower-paid job before you move up and start earning really
good money. A salary might be high but if the work doesnt suit you, you wont last long. It
could even cost you money. If salaries are high, its because the work is hard or the hours
are long.
6. Dont jump in and sign up for too many mining qualifications or tickets.
You could waste a lot of money on courses
and qualifications you may never use. Talk to
people already working in mining to find out
what youll need. Also think about waiting for
a job offer to come along, and then discuss
with your new employer what courses,
qualifications or tickets they would prefer
you to obtain.
7. Have clear and achievable goals
Clear, written job and career goals will help
you maintain your motivation during your
job search. Refer to your goals regularly and
make sure that everything you do takes you
one step closer to achieving them. This will
help motivate you during the tough times.
For example, your goal may be to work in a
FIFO job (refer to FIFO section later) for a
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defined time period to enable you to become financially secure. Whatever your
motivations, be clear to yourself about why you have chosen your particular path, and
focus directly on achieving it.
Importantly, never give up! Its very likely that you will have to apply for many jobs before you
are offered an interview, but if you follow the advice in your Guide, you will increase your
chances enormously.
So, lets get started...

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Australias Mining Industry

Overview
Mining is Australias biggest export
industry. The output of the largest
export earner, iron ore, is projected to
increase at an average annual rate of
8% a year in the 2014 - 2018 period, to
a total of 831 million tonnes in 2018.
These projections are supported by
forecast higher production at a number
of mines including those operated by
Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, as well as
the planned increased production at
Fortescue's Chichester Hub and
Solomon Hub expansion projects.
Australia is also the worlds leading coal
exporter, with black coal being the countrys second-highest export commodity, increasing by
more than 50% over the past decade. In 2012, Australias thermal coal exports grew to a total
of 162 million tonnes, with projections of an annual increase of 11% in years to come.
Australias exports of metallurgical coal are forecast to increase at an average annual rate of
8%, reaching 218 million tonnes in 2017, with total earnings forecast at $40 billion in current
Australian dollars.
LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is also a huge export earner, with Australia currently ranking as
the worlds fourth-largest LNG producer and the third-largest LNG exporter in the Asia-Pacific
region. In 2009-10, Australias LNG exports were valued at approximately AUD 7.8 billion.
These huge production figures are a direct result of strong exploration and production
investment at the start of the decade, with mine and plant expansions and new mines in
existing regions expected to support the strong growth in exports from Australia. Such rapid
expansion means a proportionate increase in jobs growth, which continues to put pressure on
Australias training and employment industries.
The massive infrastructure requirements to support this growth also generate diverse
employment opportunities. Apart from the planning, development and construction of the
resources projects themselves, the huge infrastructure requirements to support them,
particularly those in remote areas where infrastructure is often non-existent, means that jobs
will also be generated in the construction of roads, rail lines, freight trains, ports, storage and
loading facilities, all of which require huge amounts of skilled and unskilled labour in the
planning, construction and operational phases.
History
The utilisation of minerals has been part of Australias culture and development for thousands
of years. Australias indigenous peoples, the Aborigines, used minerals to pigment and colour

page 13
their art, a practice that still continues to this day and which has become an integral part of
the Aboriginal heritage.
When Europeans began arriving in the late 1700s, the search for minerals to sustain their
settlements began in earnest, resulting in the discovery of coal near Newcastle within 10
years of the first settlers arriving. Coal was used for heating and cooking and later for the
production of steam to drive the mechanisation and industrialisation of the rapidly-growing
colony of New South Wales.
With the expansion of settlements eastward into South Australia, further mineral discoveries
were made, with Lead being the first metal to be mined in Australia, at Glen Osmond on the
outskirts of Adelaide. Shortly after, major discoveries of copper were made in the mid-1800s
in South Australias mid-north in Kapunda and Burra. These discoveries were of such a scale
that they were able to support a growing mineral export industry, with copper and lead being
exported to feed the burgeoning industrial revolution that was to change the face of
manufacturing and society throughout Britain and beyond.
Further huge discoveries of copper at nearby Moonta and Kadina soon overshadowed any
previous finds, necessitating the emigration of skilled mine workers from Cornwall in
England, to utilise their skills and technology in the local industry.
Gold! Gold! Gold!
The discovery of gold in Victoria, near Ballarat
and Bendigo, triggered a frenzy of activity not
unlike that seen in the California gold rush of
the 1840s. Previous small finds of gold near
Bathurst in New South Wales in the 1820s had
elicited only a token rush for riches, but the
gold fields of Victoria sent the colony into a
frenzy
of
migration,
relocation
and
exploration, with everybody hoping to find
instant fame and fortune.
The end result was that by the 1850s Australia
was producing almost 40% of the worlds
gold. The resulting huge surge in population
and, in many cases, wealth, spurred other
industries to spring up to support the fastgrowing colony, forcing rapid advances in agricultural and industrial development. These
developments, particularly in sheep and wheat production, were to set Australia up for a
century of growth and prosperity.
Other minerals
Tin was the next major mineral discovery to change the face of Australias young mining
industry, with its discovery at Mt Bischoff in Tasmania in the 1870s.
The spread of regional population centres across Australia led to ongoing exploration and
discoveries, resulting in the commissioning of major mining projects across the continent.
These included:

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Copper and gold at Mount Morgan near Rockhampton in Queensland;

Silver, lead and zinc at Broken Hill in New South Wales;
Gold at Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia;
Iron ore at Iron Knob and Iron Baron in South Australia;
Coal at Traralgon, Morwell and Yallourn and gold at Stawell and Fosterville in Victoria;
Bauxite at Gove Peninsula and the Ranger Uranium mine in Northern Territories; and
Copper, gold, and silver at Mount Lyell and Savage River in Tasmania.
Mining activity in Australia began to slow in the early part of the 20th Century, with the only
major finds being the discovery of lead, copper and zinc at Mt Isa in Queensland.
The Australian resources boom
The massive resources boom that still underpins Australias economy, as well as its
employment industry, had its roots in a change in government policy in 1960: the Australian
Government lifted an embargo on iron ore exports which had been put in place because of
concerns the mineral was in short supply. Once these controls were lifted, commercially
viable development of the massive Pilbara iron ore region in Western Australia could
commence in earnest. New technology enabled more accurate identification of deposits and
exploration was immediately stepped up.
Discoveries were not limited to iron ore, however. New metals such as bauxite (the basis for
aluminium), rutile (titanium), nickel, tungsten, uranium, oil and natural gas followed, with
more recent discoveries of shale oil and gas as well as huge offshore oil and gas fields. All
these discoveries brought a huge surge in exploration, with the resultant development of new,
world-leading technologies and an inflow of skilled and unskilled workers from around the
world.
Australia soon became a major exporter of raw and processed minerals, oil and natural gas,
particularly to the industrialised nations of Japan and Europe. In more recent times the rapid
industrialisation and urbanisation of countries such as China, India and Brazil have driven
mineral and energy prices to unprecedented levels, with the resultant need to discover more
and more minerals. This in turn drives investment from local and international companies, all
jostling to get their share of the riches that flow from the exploitation of Australias naturally
occurring resources.
The China phenomenon
It is impossible to understate the impact that the boom in Chinas economic growth has had
on Australias mining, resources and petroleum industries. It is commonly stated that the
emergence of a massive middle class in China some estimates put it at half a billion people
with their demand for materials and subsequent demand for infrastructure, will drive
Australias mineral sector for some time to come.
China is closely followed by India and Brazil, and they have a rapidly-emerging middle class of
educated people all looking for increased access to urban infrastructure as well as housing,
vehicles and luxury goods; resulting in a massive and growing demand for Australias
resources.
Australias mining and energy resources coal, iron ore, gold, bauxite, oil, gas, copper and
uranium whilst accounting for around 9% of Australias Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
page 15
makes up more than half of national exports in dollar terms. The resources sector is booming.
However, its success may cause problems elsewhere, such as pushing up the value of the
Australian dollar, which can adversely affect sectors like manufacturing and tourism.
Some facts about Australias mining industry
Here is a snapshot of Australias mining industry and how important it is to the welfare of the
country and its people
Australia is a leading producer of
minerals for the world and produces
some 22 minerals in significant
amounts.
Australia has a large inventory of
resources in key minerals and is one of
the top mineral and commodities
producers in the world.
Australia is the largest producer of
gemstones and industrial diamonds.
Australia has the largest identified
resources of lead, nickel, rutile, silver,
uranium, zinc and zircon.
The minerals industry is Australias
largest export earner with mineral
exports accounting for nearly 50% of
the annual value of total exports of
goods and services.
The value of Australian mineral exports (excluding petroleum, natural gas and
petroleum refinery products) increased from AUD 45.9 billion in 2002-03 to a record
level of AUD 139.4 billion in 2008-09 and is still increasing.
In 2009-10, mining had the highest capital expenditure (AUD 45.6 billion), highest
average wages and salaries per employee (AUD 117,500), highest sales and service
income per person employed (AUD 1.06 million) and profit margin (33.4%).
In the period 2006-07 to 2010-11, the value of exports from the mining industry more
than doubled.
In 2009-10, China was Australias largest market for iron ore and concentrates
accounting for almost 72% of all Australian ore exports.
Australias daily shipments of iron ore exceed 1 million tonnes and the figure is
forecast to climb to 2 million tonnes a day within the next five years.
Approximately 2.2% of Australias workforce is engaged in the mining industry.
Has the Australian mining boom slowed?
There is no doubt that Australias so-called mining boom began slowing in late-2012. Official
figures revealed that projects valued at AUD $150 billion were shelved in 2012/2013.
Shelved of course doesnt mean cancelled, but usually indicates that a company has
postponed any further development until the price of the resource recovers enough to make a
project viable again.
page 16
As well as a reduction in the prices being paid for a particular resource, much of the slowdown in employment can also be attributed to major projects transitioning from the
construction phase to the operational phase, when fewer workers are required and capital
spending declines. An official Australian government report has said that the investment
phase of the mining boom peaked in October 2012, when AUD 268.4 billion was committed to
projects.
The value of committed projects - defined as those approved by companies and governments,
or those already commenced - is expected to slow to AUD 256 billion by the end of 2013 and
then fall to AUD 70 billion by the end of 2017, according to a Bureau of Resources and Energy
Economics report.
However this revised outlook was at odds with a recent update from the Reserve Bank of
Australia (RBA), which said in early 2013 that the mining investment peak in Australia was
yet to be reached, and while the number of committed projects fell to 73, their value remained
stable at a near record AUD 268 billion, largely due to cost blowouts.
One of the concerns described in the RBAs report is the pull-back from projects that were
under review; projects that need to proceed if the boom is to continue. Some large projects
that have been shelved include BHP Billiton's AUD 30 billion Olympic Dam development
(uranium mining in South Australia) and Woodside's AUD 36 billion Browse venture
(liquefied natural gas off the north-west coast of Western Australia). However, Woodside says
it still believes the Browse project will be developed despite the shelving of its current plans.
Despite an increase in the number of projects being delayed or cancelled, projects valued at
AUD 403 billion remain in Australias project development pipeline. This augurs well for a
continuing positive employment landscape, particularly for experienced skilled workers.
The top 10 mining trends for 2013
Deloitte has released its annual Tracking the Trends report, which examines the challenges
expected to affect Australias mining and resources industries throughout 2013.
Importantly for job seekers, the report says that the skills shortages in Australias mining
industry will remain at unrelenting levels for some time yet, with a predicted additional
86,000 mining professionals and skilled mine workers needed by 2020, along with the
unskilled workers to support this surge in employment.
The Australian global leader of Deloitte mining practice (and the global lead partner for BHP
Billiton), Philip Hopwood, said, As commodity prices decline and global economic uncertainty
persists, its harder for mining companies to predict future demand patterns, adding that,
Companies are deferring their expansion projects in the face of waning Chinese demand, yet
world demand promises to increase dramatically in the coming years.
1. The increasing costs of doing business
Mining in Australia is becoming more expensive. Costs are being driven up by the high cost of
labour and compliance, and the introduction of the carbon and mining taxes, as well as royalty
hikes. The difference this year, however, is that commodity prices are not expected to support
such high operating costs as they have in the past. While commodity prices remain well above
the 2008 lows, they have shown a pattern of decline in the last year.
page 17
With cost pressure mounting and ongoing skills shortages, companies are now assessing the
viability of a more complex series of project options. Further investment will be necessary to
enable companies to weather coming volatility.
Deloitte suggests that such investments include improvements to operational efficiency,
proactive control of maintenance costs, and investment in cost reducing technologies.
2. Commodity demand uncertainty
There is much debate over commodity demand predictions, while in the short term demand
for resources like iron ore may be tapering, mining companies need to continue to look ahead
to avoid long term supply constraints, Deloitte said.
This danger will grow as companies halt production in the face of capital cost increases and
growing shareholder demands for more immediate returns.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), real annual GDP growth in China is
forecast to fall to an average of 8.1% between 2013 and 2016. Indications that Chinas
economic growth is slowing, is having a ripple effect on mining companies, particularly those
that have pinned their fortunes on Chinas continued appetite for resources.
Such uncertainty present in the market makes it difficult for mining companies to accurately
predict or plan for future demand.
3. Quality over quantity of projects
Overrun costs and schedule slippage in mining projects not only worries lenders, it also
aggravates shareholders and attracts unwanted media attention. This year Deloitte believes
well see a growing number of miners being forced to determine what projects should be
delivered rather than financing speculative long-term projects.
This is already happening in Australia: in August BHP Billitons AUD 30 billion Olympic Dam
project was put on hold. The company blamed weak commodity prices and rising costs.
However, in announcing the cutback BHP said it was looking at a different plan "involving
new technologies" to make the project cheaper.
According to Deloitte Access Economics, the value of resources as a share of all projects in
Australias planning pipeline fell from more than 56% in June 2011 to 40% in June 2012.
4. The fight for funds: Asian investment and M&A
The battle for funding is predicted to remain competitive in 2013 as debt financing remains
tight across global financial markets and institutional investors continue to turn away from
the mining sector, Deloitte said.
Such a turn of events has forced mining companies to look elsewhere in the search for capital,
leading many companies down a road of joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and
consolidations in an effort to get projects off the ground.
Asian-based investors are still playing an active role in the resources market, especially as the
Chinese government continues to encourage them to provide development capital and acquire

page 18
resources abroad and its no surprise that growth in China is good news for Australias
resources sector.
5. Resource nationalism will remain
While Australia doesnt have the same unpredictable level of sovereign risk as other mining
nations around the world, Australia does have its own level of resource nationalism in the
form of the mineral resources rent tax (MRRT) and the carbon tax. Both have the potential to
reduce company profits and interfere with project feasibility assessments.
Whether its resource nationalism, special mining taxes or the gradual creep in taxation,
governments are looking for a larger share of mining company profits, Deloitte said.
Former Rio Tinto chief, Tom Albanese, has also spoken out against nationalisation,
encouraging governments to look towards royalty schemes instead.
The growing global threat of resource nationalism was rated as the number one fear for
miners in an Ernest & Young report released in 2012.
6. Combating corruption holding mining companies to higher standards
Although Australia prides itself on having a
relatively low rate of corruption, coming in at
number 7 on Transparency Internationals
Corruption Perception Index behind the likes of
Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland, it is worth
noting that to maintain such a standard, the
countrys prime industries like mining must
continue to be held to world class standards and
expectations.
Corruption poses a significant risk to businesses
bottom line and corporate reputation, and around
the world, particularly in tougher geopolitical
environments, combating corruption remains a
challenge for the mining sector in 2013.
7. Socially responsible behaviour
Corporate social responsibility today extends beyond what is legally required. It involves
understanding shifting community, government and NGO expectations, and committing to a
higher level of transparency and operational sustainability.
This means mining companies must provide local employment opportunities, infrastructure,
training, education, and healthcare in order to avoid vocal opposition to their presence. Rio
Tinto is the single largest employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in
Australia and has demonstrated a major commitment to indigenous training and employment
through the companys Work Ready programs.

page 19
8. Skills shortages here to stay

The skills shortages in Australias mining industry remain at quite high levels, which is where
theyre expected to stay for some time yet.
While the remote location of mines poses a challenge when attempting to attract talent, it can
be overcome with high wages. However, this can prove to be unsustainable solution for some
companies who cannot continue to increase salaries year-on-year, and for juniors who cannot
afford exorbitant salaries in the first place. Training local talent, sponsoring university
programs, and cross-training existing workers are all ways of recruiting whilst behaving in a
socially responsible manner, Deloitte says.
The Minerals Council of Australia predicts the need for an additional 86,000 mining
professionals and skilled mine workers in Australia by 2020.
9. Improving safety culture
Building a culture of safety is one of the most important tasks, if not the most important task, a
resources company can undertake.
Mining is a dangerous industry, although it has come a long way from the days when children
could be found working underground. However, this doesnt mean that the industry is
anywhere near reaching safety perfection. Investment in education and training needs to
continue for improvements to continue.
One way onsite safety can be improved is through the adoption of new technologies and ways
of thinking. An example is in Australias coal sector, which has adopted RISKGATE, an online
application which aims to bring industry knowledge onsite when it is needed to mitigate risk
and create a safer operating environment.
10. Implementing new technology
More mining companies are choosing to reduce operational costs and increase efficiency
through significant technology investments. Taking advantage of powerful data analysis
enables mining companies to become highly predictive instead of reactive in their decisionmaking processes.
New data analytic capabilities enable mining companies to take hundreds - or even thousands of contributing factors into account when allocating their portfolios, assessing their cost drivers,
predicting project success rates, identifying third-party relationships, mitigating risk, and
uncovering the causal factors of safety incidents, Deloitte said.
Implementing remote monitoring and control capabilities through programmable logic
controllers (PLCs) enables miners to automate industrial processes like blasting, drilling, and
transportation and in turn can improve mine site safety and accelerate production rates.
Source: The Top 10 Mining Trends Report was produced by Deloitte.

page 20
Mining in Australia
Overview
Australia has mining activity in all of its states and territories. Particularly significant mining
and exploration areas today include the Goldfields, Peel and Pilbara regions of Western
Australia, the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, the Bowen Basin in Queensland, the
Latrobe Valley in Victoria as well as other areas of outback Australia. Places such as
Kalgoorlie, Mount Isa, Mount Morgan, Broken Hill and Coober Pedy are well-known as towns
that rely heavily on mining.
Two examples of major active mines in Australia include:
The Super Pit near Kalgoorlie in Western
Australia; Australias largest open pit gold
mine.
Olympic Dam in South Australia - believed to

have the world's largest uranium resource.
Information supplied by Wikipedia

The majority of mining jobs can generally be categorised as:
unskilled or entry-level;
semi-skilled; and
Skilled.
If you dont have any experience in the mining industry, or any trade qualifications, then you
are likely to be seeking an unskilled role. However it is important to know that unskilled
does not always mean unqualified, its just that you may not be skilled in the mining
industry and will have to start with an entry-level position.
If you have a trade but have little or no experience in the mining industry, you may be
considering a semi-skilled role.
However, the greatest demand is for skilled workers, who have the qualifications, experience,
commitment and aptitude, who can hit the ground running and be immediately productive,
often in remote and harsh conditions and to unusual schedules.

page 21
Many jobs in mining require minimum or mandatory levels of experience or qualifications.

However, the demand for workers, both skilled and unskilled, is still strong, and opportunities
do exist at virtually all levels.
Many mining companies in Australia have
been negatively-impacted by high levels of
turnover in unskilled workers. Many
unskilled workers are simply unprepared
for the tough working conditions, whether
it be the environment in remote locations,
or the unsocial working schedules.
With many mine sites located in remote
locations, it isnt always easy for employers
to replace a worker at short notice. As a
result, many employers will first trial
their workers to see if they can
demonstrate the commitment, reliability,
productivity and aptitude to work under
difficult conditions.
So, without wanting to shatter the pots-ofgold perception that many people have of working in mining in Australia, unless you have indemand skills, or can demonstrate an aptitude to work in difficult conditions and to unusual
schedules, many mining companies will be reluctant to take a chance on you.
The term mining workers includes the whole range of people required to ensure the
productive, safe and efficient operation of a mine. This will include managerial and
administration staff, as well as those responsible for the operation of the mining and
processing plants and associated services those at the coal face, as it were.
Many mining companies will outsource their actual mining operations to contracting
companies, which provide a wide range of services on and around the mine site itself. These
can include employees involved in open pit or underground mining of the ore, maintenance of
equipment and machinery, as well as catering, cleaning, transport and other services. In some
cases, mining companies will have no employees at all on site, instead leaving the total mining
operations to a contractor company. In those cases, it will be the contractor company, not the
mining company that will be responsible for hiring workers on that site.
Contractor company employees are more likely to move from site to site, depending on the
nature of the contracts their employer has with the various mining companies.
Mine workers are usually employed on an annual salary, but award agreements or other
individual workplace agreements are also common. Employees can be employed on a
permanent (full-time) basis, on fixed term contracts, or on a casual (hourly or daily paid)
basis. Many mining company and contractor company employees work as Fly In-Fly Out
(FIFO) employees (refer to FIFO section).

page 22
The conditions attached to getting employment in the mining industry differ in every state of
Australia, with various mandatory requirements ranging from state government certification,
completion of safety or mining induction courses, and recognised qualifications. However the
basics that will ensure you are mine-ready are:
Being physically fit for the job. This is usually determined by a pre-employment
fitness and medical check.
Undertaking and passing a drug and alcohol test. These tests will be ongoing for the
duration of your employment in the mines. With safety a paramount issue, all mining
companies are extremely strict with drug and alcohol testing.
Criminal history check. Although not mandatory, be prepared to provide evidence of
a clean record in some states.
Generic Mining Induction Training. These training courses are mandatory and will
vary from company to company and mine site to mine site.
Where the jobs are
Western Australia (WA)
Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of

Australia. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west,
the Great Australian Bight and Southern Ocean to the south, the
Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the
south-east. Western Australia is Australia's largest state with a
total land area of 2,529,875 sq km (976,790 sq m), and the secondlargest country subdivision in the world. However, most of it is
desert and is uninhabited.
Western Australia is, quite simply, huge, and is much larger than the US states of Alaska and
Texas combined. India is about the same size, with a population of 700 million, whereas the
whole vast, dry expanse of Western Australia is inhabited by just 2 million people, threequarters of whom live in the capital city, Perth. Being so far from the main Australian
population centres on the east coast, WA conveys a feeling of sheer isolation. Perth is the
worlds most remote capital city and is closer to Bali than it is to Sydney.
Western Australia has approximately 2.4 million people (around 10% of the national total),
the majority of whom (75%) live in the south-west corner of the state in and around Perth.
Mining in Western Australia
Western Australia is often described as the powerhouse of the Australian economy, due to
its huge mineral and ore deposits and the wealth they generate for the country. From gold in
the Kalgoorlie area, to the Pilbaras iron ore, Argyle diamonds, Collies coal, natural gas in the
north-west shelf as well as, nickel, magnesium, aluminium and lead, WA has been blessed with
natural resources.
Western Australia produces 20% of the world's alumina and 15% of its iron ore, is a
significant producer of nickel, natural gas, gold and diamonds, and accounts for more than
40% of Australia's exports by dollar value.
Western Australias mining, oil and gas industries together accounted for almost 90% of the
States total export income in 2008/09. Currently, Western Australia has more than 500

page 23
commercial mineral projects, almost 1,000 mining operations and over 60 operating oil and
gas fields, both onshore and offshore.
Iron ore accounts for almost half of the revenues produced by WAs resources industries. The
petroleum (oil and gas) sector is in second place with around one quarter of revenues
generated, then gold, alumina and nickel, followed by base metals like copper, lead and zinc,
and diamonds and mineral sands.
Employment in Western Australias mining, oil and gas industries more than doubled in the
20 years up to 2011, to over 88,000 employees (7.1% of all WA employees). Over the 10 years
to 2011 the mining industry in WA experienced strong employment growth of 12.5% per
annum (an annual average increase of 5,380 employees).
Within the mining industry, over 60% of workers work in metal ore mining, while a further
18% work in exploration and other mining support services. The average weekly earnings in
the WA mining industry are well above the WA average; AUD 2,314 pw compared to
AUD 1,452 pw. Almost 25% of workers in mining are machine operators and drivers, followed
by technician and trades workers (24%), and professionals (21%).
Want to know more about Mining in WA? Source Wikipedia.
Queensland (Qld)
Queensland is the second-largest and third most populous state in

Australia. Situated in the north east of the country, it is bordered by
the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to
the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east,
Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea (with the Great Barrier
Reef) and the Pacific Ocean. Queensland has a population of
4.6 million, concentrated along the coast and particularly in the
state's South East. The state is the world's sixth largest subnational entity, with an area of 1,852,642 sq km.
Queenslands capital, Brisbane, is also the largest city in the state and is Australia's third
largest city. Referred to as the Sunshine State, Queensland is home to 10 of Australia's 30
largest cities and is the nation's third largest economy.
Mining in Queensland
Queensland is richly-endowed with high-quality coal resources, with over 34 billion tonnes
(raw coal in-situ) already identified. The states coal seam gas (CSG) industry has also grown
rapidly over the past 15 years with the annual number of wells drilled increasing from 10 in
the early 1990s to over 720 in 2011-12. Exploration and development activity in the CSG
industry remains strong and continues to be at the forefront of Queenslands petroleum
industry.
The Queensland Government is supporting the growth of the petroleum industry by making
geo-scientific information and company exploration data available and coordinating
approvals for major petroleum projects. Queensland is one of the world's largest producers of
lead, zinc and silver and Australia's leading copper, lead, silver and zinc producer, the secondlargest bauxite producer and the third largest gold producer.

page 24
The North West Queensland Mineral Province dominates base metal production and is a
major gold and phosphate rock producer. North Queensland is also a leading mineral province
and an important producer of bauxite, silica sand, base metals and gold and more recently
tungsten, along with many other Industrial minerals.
New South Wales (NSW)
New South Wales is a state in the east of Australia. It is bordered by
Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and
west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman
Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean.
most populous state.
New South Wales surrounds the whole of the Australian Capital

Territory where Canberra, Australias political capital, is located.
New South Wales' capital city is Sydney, which is also the state's
most populous city. As of June 2010, the population was 7.2 million
or 34.5% of the population of Australia, making NSW Australia's
Mining in New South Wales

The NSW minerals industry makes a major contribution to the state's economy, bringing new
investment, boosting regional development and job creation, as well as increased export
opportunities. It includes a range of commercial operations based on the discovery,
development, management and utilisation of mineral resources and other downstream valueadded processing, such as smelting and refining.
As a low-cost supplier of coal, gold, base metals, mineral sands and gemstones, NSW is set to
enhance its position as a leading source of minerals to world markets. In addition, NSW
continues to consolidate its position as a value-adding centre for processed metals and
mineral products.
NSW produces a diverse range of minerals including coal, metals, industrial minerals and
construction materials. The total value of this production in 2009-10 was AUD 16.5 billion.
Preliminary figures for 2010-11 suggest that the estimated value of NSW mineral production
was around AUD 19.2 billion and the value of major mineral and processed metal exports
close to AUD 16 billion.
The mining of minerals is the States largest export industry, representing around 45% of total
NSW merchandise exports. Coal production, valued at about AUD 13.2 billion in 2009-10,
accounts for around 81% of the total value of mineral production. Metallic and industrial
mineral production is also significant, valued at AUD 2.8 billion in 2009-10.

page 25
Northern Territory (NT)

Northern Territory is a federal territory in the central northern
region of Australia. It shares borders with Western Australia to the
west, South Australia to the south, and Queensland to the east.
The Northern Territory represents about one sixth of the entire
Australian land mass (at 1,350,000 sq km), but has only 1% of the
population (220,000 people).
The land is divided into two main tenures of approximately equal
size, being Aboriginal freehold land and Crown land under pastoral lease. Whilst the land is
sparsely populated, it presents significant opportunity for investment, particularly in the
resource sector.
Darwin is the commercial and administrative centre of the Northern Territory. Alice Springs is
the largest regional population centre outside Darwin and is the base for significant tourism
activities in the central region.
Mining in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory's economy is largely driven by mining, which is concentrated on
energy producing minerals, petroleum and energy and contributes around AUD 2.5 billion to
the gross state product and employs over 4,600 people. Mining accounts for 26% of the gross
state product in 20062007 compared to just 7% nationally.
The Northern Territory is endowed with diverse mineral wealth and prospective geology. It
provides 50% of Australias uranium production, has Australias largest manganese mine, and
has world-class lead-zinc, gold and bauxite mines. The Territory also has major resources and
undeveloped potential for lead-zinc, copper, phosphate, iron ore, vanadium and rare earth
elements.
Although the Northern Territory is highly prospective for minerals it has vast areas of land,
which have undergone little or no modern exploration. Therefore there is great potential to
make new mineral discoveries.
South Australia (SA)
South Australia is a state in the southern central part of Australia.
It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent. With a total
land area of 983,482 sq km (379,725 sq m), it is the fourth largest
of Australia's states and territories.
South Australia shares borders with all of the other mainland
states and with the Northern Territory. It is bordered to the west
by Western Australia, to the north by the Northern Territory, to
the north-east by Queensland, to the east by New South Wales, to
the south-east by Victoria, and to the south by the Great Australian Bight and the Indian
Ocean.

page 26
With over 1.6 million people, the state comprises less than 8% of the Australian population
and ranks fifth in population among the states and territories. The majority of its people
reside in the state capital, Adelaide, with most of the remainder settled in fertile areas along
the south-eastern coast and the River Murray.
Mining in South Australia
South Australia has plenty of mining activity occurring across the state, with growth set to
continue. Various resources are mined in South Australia including copper, gold, silver,
uranium, coal and iron ore. The state is home to one of the worlds biggest copper, gold and
uranium mines, Olympic Dam, and one of Australias significant new copper-gold mines at
Prominent Hill.
Olympic Dam is a mining centre in South Australia, located some 550 km NNW of Adelaide. It
is the site of an extremely large iron oxide, copper, gold, uranium and silver deposits. The site
hosts an underground mine as well as an integrated metallurgical processing plant. It is the
fourth largest copper deposit and the largest known single deposit of uranium in the world,
though uranium represents only a minority of the mine's total revenue.
Footnote: In August 2012, BHP Billiton announced that the expansion of Olympic Dam was
being postponed indefinitely pending investigation of a "new and cheaper design".
Victoria (Vic)
Victoria is a state in the south-east of Australia. Geographically the
smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales
to the north, the Tasman Sea to the east, the Bass Strait and
Tasmania to the south, and South Australia to the west. It is
Australia's most densely-populated state, most of Victoria's
population is concentrated in the area surrounding Port Phillip,
including the capital and largest city, Melbourne, which is also
Australia's second-largest city overall.
The state of Victoria is the second largest economy in Australia after New South Wales,
accounting for a quarter of the nation's gross domestic product. The 2011 Australian census
reported that Victoria had 5.3 million people resident at the time of the census. The Australian
Bureau of Statistics estimates that the population may well reach 7.2 million by 2050.
Finance, insurance and property services form Victoria's largest income producing sector,
while the community, social and personal services sector is the state's biggest employer.
Mining in Victoria
Mining in Victoria contributes around AUD 3 billion to the gross state product (1%) but
employs less than 1% of workers. The Victorian mining industry is concentrated on energy
producing minerals, with brown coal, petroleum and gas accounting for nearly 90% of local
production. The oil and gas industries are centred off the coast of Gippsland in the state's east,
while brown coal mining and power generation is based in the Latrobe Valley.
In the 2005/2006 financial year, the average gas production was over 700 million cubic feet
(20,000,000 m3) per day and represented 18% of the total national gas sales, with demand
growing at 2% per year.

page 27
In 1985, oil production from the offshore Gippsland Basin peaked to an annual average of
450,000 barrels (72,000 m3) per day. In 20052006, the average daily oil production declined
to 83,000 barrels (13,200 m3) per day, but despite the decline Victoria still produces almost
19.5% of crude oil in Australia.
Brown coal is Victoria's leading mineral, with 66 million tonnes mined each year for
electricity generation in the Latrobe Valley, Gippsland. The region is home to the world's
largest known reserves of brown coal.
Despite being the historic centre of Australia's gold rush, Victoria today contributes a mere
1% of national gold production. Victoria also produces limited amounts of gypsum and kaolin.
Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmania is an island state, part of the Commonwealth of
Australia, located 240 km (150 miles) to the south of the
Australian continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes
the island of Tasmania, the 26th largest island in the world, and the
surrounding 334 islands. The state has a population of 507,626 (as
of June 2010) of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart
precinct. Tasmania's area is 68,401 sq km (26,410 sq m).
Tasmania is promoted as the natural state, owing to its large and
relatively unspoiled natural environment. Almost 45% of Tasmania lies in reserves, national
parks and World Heritage Sites. The state capital and largest city is Hobart.
Mining in Tasmania
Tasmania is extremely rich in minerals. The
State exports ores and concentrates of iron,
copper, lead, zinc, tin, high-grade silica and
tungsten. The total value of mining and
metallurgical production in Tasmania was
estimated as AUD 2.393 billion in 2009/2010.
The mineral extraction and processing sector is
Tasmania's largest export industry, accounting
for 50% of mercantile exports in 2009/2010
worth AUD 1.593 billion.
There are seven substantial operating mines in
Tasmania, including long-term producers
Mount Lyell (copper, gold, silver), Rosebery
(zinc, lead, gold, copper and silver) and Savage
River (magnetite, which is converted into iron
ore pellets at Port Latta). The Henty and Beaconsfield gold mines began producing in the
1990s while the Renison and Mt Bischoff tin mines re-opened during 2008. Beaconsfield mine
was shut in July 2012, due to a widely reported mine collapse.

page 28
Types of Mining Jobs

Unskilled (entry-level) mining jobs
There are many different mining jobs
available for unskilled or entry-level
applicants looking to get into the mining
industry. The types of jobs are varied
and cover a wide range of activities.
As with all new jobs for unskilled
workers, there is always an element of
learning on the job, and this usually
takes place in a safe, supervised and
controlled
environment.
To
be
productive and profitable, many mine
sites will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days
a week, which increases opportunities
for unskilled people to secure an entrylevel job.
The following are typical of some of the unskilled or entry-level jobs available in mining:
Trainee operator
Cleaner and house keeping
Kitchen hand
Cook
Field assistant
Trades assistant
General labourer
Bus driver
Dump truck driver
Water truck and roller operator
You may also want to consider some of the following roles, which may require you to have
accumulated some on-site experience, or to have demonstrated on-the-job commitment and
initiative:
Sample preparer: Sample preparers have the responsibility of working in
laboratories, core farms and on exploration drill rigs, which examine minerals and
soil. Employees receive hands-on training. Individuals with good mathematical and
computer skills are successfully starting out in the mining industry as sample
preparers.
Career path: Can lead to a job as a driller. A driller runs a team of driller's offsiders
and assistants and it can take a few years to become a driller yourself and have your
own offsiders working under you. But be prepared - it is hard and physical work.
Drillers Offsider/Assistant: (known as a Roustabout in the oil and gas industry)
This job entails moving and setting up drilling rigs and related equipment, assisting

page 29
drillers at drill holes for oil, natural gas, water, building foundations, minerals
exploration and site investigations.
Career path: Can lead to a job as a Driller.
Survey Assistant: Survey Assistants help surveyors collect information about the
position, shape and elevation of the earth's natural features, and map property
boundaries. They are generally responsible for loading survey equipment into vehicles
for transport to sites, ensuring that all necessary equipment is included and is in
proper working order. When working in the field, survey assistants may be required to
clear vegetation and debris from a site, assemble and dismantle equipment, mark
boundaries using pegs and string, and record measurements.
Career path: Could lead to a job as a surveyor. This will require considerable learning
and a degree qualification through an employer and/or an external educational
provider.
Geologists assistant/Trainee field assistant: A geologists assistant takes minerals,
soil samples and data from samples and inputs the information into computer systems
and assists with the writing of reports. Such activities are usually in preparation for
future mining activities. Once mining in various areas is complete, a geologists
assistant might also work to restore
the area to its previous state.
General labourer: Labourers with
general worksite skills are in
constant demand and are central to
construction,
repair
and
maintenance jobs. Normally a
labourer will be required to operate
power tools, hand tools, equipment
and machinery, and to provide
assistance to other workers. They
may also be required to clean work
areas, repair equipment, deliver and
set-up materials and dismantle
equipment. Good communications
skills and the ability to work well in
a team are preferred.
Trades Assistant: Generally a trades assistant helps out a qualified tradesperson with
operations on a mine site and is often involved in basic repairs and maintenance of
equipment. Experience in a heavy industrial environment would be looked upon
favourably. Trades assistants are often in demand for shutdown operations and shortterm contract work. As with general labourers, good communication and teamwork
skills would be viewed positively.

page 30
Semi-skilled mining jobs

There is often an overlap between entry-level/unskilled and semi-skilled jobs in mining.
Semi-skilled jobs can be undertaken by unskilled workers with initiative, who are prepared to
quickly learn on the job or to undertake further training in their particular role. Once again
the types of jobs are varied and cover a wide range of activities.
The following are typical of some of the semi-skilled jobs available in mining:
Auto Electrician
Dogman/Dogger
Maintenance/Mechanical Fitter
Mobile Plant Operators
Road Constructor
Rigger
Pipe Layer
Welder
Construction Labourer
Drillers Assistant/Offsider
Dogman/Dogger
Field Assistant
Mobile Plant Operator
Labourer
Maintenance Worker
Quarry Plant Operator
Roughneck
Roustabout/Derrickman
Shot Firers Assistant
Slurry Operator
Trades Assistant
Truck Driver
You may also want to consider some of the following hospitality-based roles, which may
require some qualifications or experience, or for you to have demonstrated on-the-job
commitment and initiative:
Cook: Integral to mine-site life, cooks are required to provide meals for workers who
live and work on site. Generally, meals are cooked in bulk and served in mess halls,
which can restrict creativity. Those with previous experience and with relevant trade
qualifications will be highly regarded.
Caterer: Mining can often be a very physical pursuit, so adequate nutrition for workers
is very important. Catering staff are usually responsible for estimating food and
beverage consumption, purchasing, budgeting, managing catering teams, resolving
complaints and ensuring compliance with health and other regulations.
Laundry and Cleaning Roles: If you have cleaning and laundry experience in large
industries, mine site recruiters will be likely keen to hear from you. Most mine sites
provide laundry facilities including washers, dryers and ironing equipment in locations
throughout the sites.

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Skilled mining jobs

There are over 150 different career paths in mining today. Many of these are skilled jobs
requiring a relatively high level of training and qualifications. Skilled roles can generally be
divided into five key categories:
Geo-science jobs
Exploration Geologists: This essential
role discovers and determines where
minerals are likely to be found for future
mining operations.
Geophysicist: Studies the composition,
structure and other physical attributes of
the earth and locates minerals and ground
water.
Mine Geologist: Works in a team of
professionals to locate, map and define the
grade of ore resources for mining
operations.
Resource
Geologist:
Involves
the
planning and implementing of resource
development modelling and analysis of ore
resources for future development of
mining operations.
GIS Technician: Uses GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to provide professional
support to find and analyse mineral and ore samples.
Engineering jobs
Chemical Engineer: Research and develop processes used in; extracting metals from
their ores, casting, alloying, and heat treating.
Civil Engineer: Critical skills to plan, design, organise and oversee the construction
and operation of mining related projects.
Electrical/Electronics Engineer: Develop, implement and supervise the installation
and maintenance of the huge range of electrical systems found in the mining industry.
Mechanical Engineer: Plan, design and oversee the assembly, operation and
maintenance of highly specialised mechanical and process plant equipment.
Surveyor: Works closely with engineering and geo-science professionals to plan,
direct and/or conduct survey work used in open cut or underground operations.
Mining Engineer: An essential and versatile role, planning and directing the
engineering aspects of locating and extracting minerals from the earth.
Operator jobs
Miner (Underground): Operates specialised equipment to excavate, load and
transport rock, minerals and ore in an underground mining operation.
Miner (Open cut): Operates specialised equipment to excavate, load and transport
rock, minerals and ore in an open-cut mining operation.
Bogger Operator: Responsible for transporting or bogging waste rock and soil or ore
onto trucks or to different parts of a mining operation.
Blasthole Driller: Operates and maintains a drilling rig and related equipment to
extract ore in an open cut or underground operation.
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Exploration Driller: Assembles, positions, operates and maintains a drilling rig and
related equipment to extract ore for analysis by geologists for future mining
operations.
Jumbo Operator: Responsible for the operation of a single and/or double boom jumbo
drilling rig for underground development mining and the installation of ground
support.
Longwall/Continuous Miner Operator: Underground coal miner operates and
maintains specialist equipment for digging coal out of coal seams.
Mobile Plant Operator/Driver: Operates stationary and mobile cranes, hoists, lifts
and winches to lift, move and place materials in a variety of locations on mine sites.
Mechanical/metal trades jobs
Automotive Mechanic: Services, repairs and maintains the range of powered vehicles
used in mining operations.
Diesel Mechanic: A highly-valued skill in the mining industry. Diesel mechanics
diagnose, overhaul, repair, tune, maintain and test diesel and petrol/gas-powered
vehicles, including trucks, earthmoving equipment and stationary engines.
Heavy Vehicle Mechanic: Repairs, maintains and tests heavy vehicles and equipment.
Boilermaker: A critical skill in the mining industry, to fabricate metal stock to make or
repair heavy gauge metal products used on a mine site.
Maintenance Technician: Responsible for the safe and efficient maintenance of the
specialised equipment and plant used in the mining industry.
Welder: Another valued mine site skill to fabricate and repair metal products using
various welding techniques.
Electrical trades jobs
Electrician: Install and maintain electrical systems. Also responsible for establishing
and ensuring uninterrupted power supplies to mines and mine equipment.
Electrical work on a diverse range of mining related equipment.
Electrical Fitter: Provides electrical maintenance on all machinery.
Maintenance Technician: Usually part of a team for the planning, development and
reviewing of electrical maintenance procedures.
What are the working options?
Full time
Full-time (permanent) roles in the mining industry generally occur at levels above unskilled
and semi-skilled jobs. Primarily, they start at supervisor or mid-management level, upwards.
For example, a mining company that owns but does not operate a mine (i.e. it contracts out
the operations of the mine), will often have full-time employees in management and
administration, usually based in a head office away from the mine, and will often employ a
full-time on-site mine manager to oversee and represent the companys interests.
In that case the contracting company will also have full-time management and administration
employees, again usually in a remote office, but will have a full-time manager on-site, with
perhaps one or more full-time supervisory or specialist staff reporting to him/her, also onsite. Below the supervisory level, many of the workers employed by the contractor will then
be self-employed contractors or casual or part-time workers brought in to carry out specific
tasks of the operational process. These can be task-based, project-based or simply hourly-paid
roles.
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Part time/casual/gap year jobs

Many mining companies require casual labour on the campsites or around the
accommodation blocks where FIFO mining employees live during their shifts.
Casual roles may include general maintenance of facilities, kitchen hands or handyman type
people where the job description is quite loose and where the worker has to remain flexible to
turn a hand to whatever job is required.
These positions are generally paid weekly
(sometimes on an hourly or daily rate) where
no notice period has to be given when the
services of such casual workers are no longer
required.
As we have previously identified in the 7
common mistakes, we strongly advise against
anyone leaving their home location to seek
casual labour on or around a mine site. Most
casual labour opportunities are communicated
to existing workers on the site, and then filled
by people known to those workers. This is why
networking with those already employed on a
mine site is very important, as it will give you
access casual job opportunities by word of
mouth.
If you are already in Australia on a gap year, or you are thinking of travelling to Australia on a
Working Holiday Visa (refer to Visa section P49), you are permitted to apply for mining jobs,
but you must adhere to the strict regulations of your visa.
The Working Holiday Visa stipulates that you cannot work for any one employer for more
than 12 weeks, which obviously limits you to roles that are likely to be on a casual basis. (See
Section on relevant visas and your visa options)
Jobs for Graduates
Most mining companies operating in Australia offer structured and comprehensive graduate
programs that can lead to long-term careers in the mining industry. The companies foster an
environment where graduates can contribute, learn and strengthen their talents, in
conjunction with enjoying challenging work experience in the mining industry.
Tailored programs offer rotation-based experiences including on-the-job learning, formal
training and individual support to ensure youre industry ready, with opportunities to attend
technical training and graduate workshops, along with the chance to enhance personal
development.
However, for many graduates, the real opportunities come from working on-site on actual
mining projects, alongside experienced and skilled professionals, with exposure to those skills
and processes, as well as the use of leading technology.
Graduate programs are usually in the following disciplines:
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Engineering: Mining, Geotechnical, Electrical and Mechanical

Metallurgy
Geology
Environmental Science
Occupational Health and Safety
Commercial and Finance
A relevant tertiary qualification is usually mandatory for participation in a graduate program,
and personal characteristics such as resourcefulness, resilience and flexibility would be
beneficial to working in remote and regional locations.
Traineeships & apprenticeships
There is usually a wide range of traineeship jobs available in the mining sector that offer the
opportunity for on-the-job training and qualifications.
Apprenticeships are also popular. The usual length of an apprenticeship is three years. As an
apprentice, you essentially learn as you work with an experienced mentor or team. You will
also be required to undertake practical and theoretical studies, usually during working hours.
Dedicating yourself to this will ensure you qualify as a tradesperson with a skill that can be
highly sought after by mining industry employers and recruiters.
Fly-In, Fly-Out (FIFO) and Drive-In, Drive-Out (DIDO) Jobs
FIFO: The practice
Fly In-Fly Out is a common practice in Australias mining industry, where a mine site is
located far from any town or urban centre. In such remote areas, the cost of establishing
permanent communities of sufficient quality to attract families will usually exceed the cost of
air fares and temporary accommodation at the work site. So rather than relocating the
employee and their family to a town near the work site, the employee is flown to the work
site, where they will work for a scheduled number of days, then flown back to their home
where they will rest for a scheduled number of days.
Fly-in fly-out settlements use portable buildings and facilities that can easily be relocated to
another site once the mine has become uneconomical to operate. As a FIFO employee's time
on-site is almost entirely taken up by working, sleeping and eating, there is little need for
recreation facilities, although employers are increasingly offering such facilities as swimming
pools, recreation centres and gyms as a way of attracting and retaining skilled staff.
The conditions of employment for FIFO employees such as shift and roster schedules,
accommodation facilities, availability of psychosocial support for individuals and families and
their terms of employment, all impact on how they experience the lifestyle and subsequently
on their health and wellbeing. These conditions can differ according to the site location,
employer and job type.

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For example:
FIFO work arrangements vary in duration and incorporate compressed work
schedules in which FIFO employees work 10 or 12-hour shifts while on site.
Many employees, such as machinery
and plant operators and their direct
supervisors, are also likely to have
shift work where they work a number
of days of day shift followed by a
number of nights of night shift.
A common pattern is one week of night
shift, one week of day shift followed by
one week at home.
The proportion of time spent at home
and at work depends on the symmetry
of the work roster offered by the
employer.
Common rosters at the time of writing
include two weeks away and one week
at home (2/1), nine days away and five
days home (9/5) and, increasingly,
eight days away and six days home (8/6).
Many employees across the resources industry prefer the shorter rotation lengths such
as 9/5 or 8/6. However, contractor companies have tended to offer the longer
rotations such as 2/1.
It is not uncommon for workers to be flown the 4,000 km from Queensland to Western
Australia, or vice-versa, for their FIFO shifts, although a much more typical arrangement
would be Perth-based workers being flown the 2,000 km to work in the iron ore mines in the
Pilbara region. This is such a common occurrence today that a new terminal has been built at
Perth domestic airport to cater exclusively for FIFO workers.
Bus In-Bus Out (BIBO) also known as DIDO (Drive In-Drive Out)
BIBO/DIDO working is becoming a way of life for many mining employees, where mining
towns/villages are built closer to mine sites, but not at mine-sites. For the mining company,
this reduces start up costs, fast-tracks the setup process and makes short-term mining
projects more financially viable. Given the typically remote location of mine sites, workers
must commute from town to mine site and back again, and this is usually done in companysupplied buses. DIDO workers will commute in their own vehicles or in company vehicles.
If there is a town or settlement nearby the mine site, BIBO/DIDO workers can choose to live in
there and commute to work by bus or car on a roster basis.
What you need to know about working in remote locations
For unskilled or inexperienced people looking to work in the mines, it is recommended that
you carefully consider whether a FIFO job is the best option for you to commence your career
as a mineworker. There are various individual benefits in addition to career opportunities and
good rates of pay, but there are also challenges that can mean that a FIFO work arrangement
is not for everyone.
page 36
The environment
FIFO employees are required to work long hours with inflexible, compressed work schedules.
It can be dirty, dusty, difficult, monotonous and uncomfortable work. An administration
assistant in an office or a laundry assistant will, of course, experience a completely different
work environment.
Communications
Availability of communication to and from home also varies across sites. Larger sites are more
likely to have a mobile phone tower or perhaps land-lines in all rooms whereas smaller or
more remote operations might only have a limited number of satellite lines thus limiting
availability of communication with home. Those more remote mine sites, for example, may
only be able to offer limited satellite communication between home and site, whereas those
sites located close to a large regional centre could have landlines and mobile phone
connections as well as the internet, thus facilitating easy and regular communication between
FIFO employees and their families.
Accommodation/Facilities
During the period you live on-site as a FIFO worker, your employer will likely provide you
with accommodation. The standard of accommodation on a mine site can vary. For example,
rooms can have individual en-suites, shared en-suites or employees may have to use facilities
in external shared ablution blocks. Contractor employees are more likely to be allocated the
lower standard rooms.
Your employer will usually oversee laundry/cleaning, and all food is provided. Living
conditions are rather basic, but most sites have fridges and electricity to rooms and a
communal TV is usually available, so most of the essentials of life are covered. In some
instances the employer charges its employees for these services, with the cost deducted from
salaries. It is essential when applying for work that you carefully check the conditions of your
contract so you are fully aware of the details.
The facilities for FIFO workers are usually excellent (considering their remoteness) and
recreational activities are readily accessed between shifts. Your room or donga will be
cleaned for you so after work youre free to relax. Sport is encouraged and good sporting
facilities are usually on site; some mine sites have gyms, pools or basketball courts, with some
larger mine sites having football fields, bowling greens and even golf driving ranges.
Community
Some FIFO employees value the opportunity to live in a remote location. The remoteness
creates a close community feeling and a friendly environment. There are many opportunities
for a social life with friends on site such as having dinner together in the camp. Living on site
allows you to escape the rat race, and can give you the chance to meet people from places
and cultures that you wouldnt usually meet.
Some workers also find the distance from home gives them the time and opportunity to
undertake study or hobbies with few interruptions.

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Useful links and contacts

Unskilled mining job links
There are many unskilled and entry-level mining jobs available in Australias mining industry.
They are varied and cover a wide range of activities. However, as with most jobs for unskilled
workers, there is always an element of learning on the job, and this usually takes place in a
safe, supervised and controlled environment. The links below will take you to pages with
information and tips about unskilled mining jobs across Australia:
WESTjobs
iMINCO
Unskilled Mining Jobs
Mining Oil and Gas Jobs
Australian Mining
Outback Australia
Mine Source
InfoMine
Mine Job
Mining Careers
Yahoo!7Answers
Mining apprenticeships, traineeships & graduates links
Most mining companies operating in Australia offer structured and comprehensive
apprenticeship, traineeship and graduate programs that can lead to long-term careers in the
mining industry. These companies foster an environment where newcomers can contribute,
learn and strengthen their talents, in conjunction with enjoying challenging work experience
in the mining industry. Some of those companies are:
Rio Tinto
NRW
Mining Careers
Apprentice Services
Barminco
Alcoa
Macmahon
Jobsearch
Newcrest Mining
Fortescue Metals Group
MMG Limited

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Tertiary educational institutions mining links

Tertiary (post-high school) education can be an essential component in determining the speed
of your career progression in Australias mining industry. There are many courses that are
specifically designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to assist you in your
mining industry career. Several of the educational institutions are listed below:
Mining Education Australia
Curtin University
University of Sydney
University of New South Wales
University of Newcastle
University of Queensland
Monash University
University of Wollongong
University of Adelaide
University of Western Australia
University of Ballarat
Open Universities
Study Connect
WA School of Mines
Fly-In, Fly-Out Mining Jobs
Fly In-Fly Out jobs are very common in Australias mining industry, particularly where a mine
site is located far from any town or urban centre. Employees are flown to the work site, where
they work for a scheduled number of days, then flown back to their home where they rest for
a scheduled number of days. The links below provide more detailed information on FIFO
practices and what you can expect under a FIFO work schedule.
FIFO Wikipedia
FIFO Families
Starting a FIFO Job
The FIFO Wife
FIFO Research
Section contributor:
ENRYB International Welder Training provides training to
individuals, private companies and government organisations for
trainee and experienced welders. Welders are needed throughout
Western Australias booming resource sector and ENRYB
International Welder Training will help you get there.

ENRYB / PAME
page 39
Finding a Job in Mining

Overview
There are many divergent views on how
to go about getting a job in the mining
industry.
Getting the job is one thing, but being
fully informed as to the conditions and
the environment you will be working in
is another sometimes much more
important - factor. We cant stress this
enough: working in the mining industry
can be a rewarding experience both
financially and for your career, but it is
not for the faint-hearted.
Even though mining companies go to
considerable lengths to support their workers and provide good facilities and comforts,
conditions can be tough, the environment and climate can be harsh, the work can be
monotonous and the isolation from family and friends can exert significant emotional
pressures.
Entry-level positions in mining are highly competitive, often with hundreds of people applying
for a single role. But if youre considering a job in mining and have a skill, or previous
experience working on remote sites, or working in construction, management or hospitality,
its likely that youll be looked upon favourably by an employer or recruiter.
You do need to ask around, browse some websites and find out what kind of skills, experience
and qualifications particular mining companies are looking for. You should then work your
way towards acquiring those skills, experiences and qualifications, as some can take time.
The most important word to remember about getting any kind of work in mining is
persistence! Once you are ready to embark on the task of actually finding a job, read our tips
and advice that will help you to reach your goals and the job you are targeting.
Mining jobs can generally be categorised into skilled and unskilled roles. If you dont have
any previous experience in the mining industry, then youre likely to be seeking one of the
unskilled roles that mining companies often need to fill. However, unskilled does not mean
unqualified; its just that you may not be skilled in or familiar with the mining industry.
There is a reason why working in mining can be highly-paid. Many mine workers are required
to work in remote locations away from family, for long shifts in harsh environments. So before
even considering qualifications, skills or previous experience, hiring managers will look for
certain attributes before you will be considered for work in the mining industry.
Those include:
page 40
Safety awareness: This is the most important issue on any mine site. You will need to
be thinking about safety every second of every minute of every hour you are working.
Tolerance of unusual work schedules: Shifts are generally 12 hours long and can
rotate day and night, often away from home.
Adjustment to life in remote locations: Often living and working with diverse people
from different walks of life and without the creature comforts of home.
Zero tolerance towards drugs and alcohol: Non-compliance of this policy results in
immediate dismissal without pay, and removal from the site subject to disciplinary
procedures. You may also be reported to local police.
Acceptance of difficult workplaces: You may be working in extreme temperatures, in
dark, damp and confined environments, which require high standards of health and
fitness.
Willingness to undertake training: Particularly applicable to unskilled workers, and
could include Standard 11 (Mining Induction) Certificate course. You will also be asked
to complete a pre-employment medical check and may need Police Clearance
A mining-specific resume: This is most important, as a mining-specific resume will
give you the best chance of getting past the application stage.
What you need to do
Prepare, prepare, prepare
Before you take you first step towards looking for or applying for a job in Australias mining
industry, there are several important steps you must take. They all involve preparation, which
in this context means, To make ready beforehand for a specific purpose. Your purpose is to
find the best, most suitable job for you in Australias mining industry.
Below weve provided an actual example of someones experiences. James wanted to set
himself up financially, and so he decided to find a good-paying job in the mining industry. Now
read on
A personal account of getting an unskilled job in the mining industry
At 28, James, from Perth, Western Australia, decided he wanted to realise some personal
financial ambitions and, after hearing from friends that working in the mining industry
was lucrative, he started the process of looking for mine site work.
He decided he would try and find a job that allowed him to fly in/fly out for a period of
two to four years, after which he would be financially well-placed to invest in property.
Initially disheartened, James found that as an unskilled/unqualified potential mine site
worker it was basically a waste of time approaching recruitment agencies, as they
werent interested in him due to his lack of specialist skills such as engineering, trades,
drilling experience and so on. Recruiters encouraged him to secure a number of mining
site tickets, which he discovered were going to cost him quite a lot of money, with no
guarantee of a result. Not all recruitment agencies offer this advice, but this was certainly
Jamess experience.
Networking proved to be the key that unlocked the opportunity for James. He made sure
he talked to a lot of people about what its really like to work on a mine site. From what

page 41
he could glean, he thought he could handle it and, being a single man with no children, he
decided he would give it a go. After knocking on doors, talking to different people and
generally building his own network, and persistently sending his resume to various
recruiters and employers, he secured a position as a labourer.
As a labourer on a drill site he was involved in bagging and carrying ore samples from the
drill. It was dirty, dusty, difficult, monotonous and uncomfortable work. And that was just
in winter. James had to wear long sleeve shirts, trousers and a hard hat for protection, so
in the summer heat of northern Western Australia, a region where temperatures
regularly reach 40 degrees or more, it was at times almost unbearable.
However being extremely fit and strong and not scared of hard physical labour, James
had a head start on many of the workers around him.
This type of work definitely doesnt suit everyone. In James own words, Its not just the
physical, routine nature of the work you do. Often youre working in remote locations, in
very difficult conditions, and away from family and friends for extended periods. Theres a
fairly substantial ongoing mental challenge as well as a physical one.
James worked as a labourer for a period of three years, ultimately achieving his financial
goals in the process. He returned to Perth with a good deal of experience, a healthy bank
balance, and new, sought-after skills attained during his time on the mines.
Have you got transferable skills?
It may be stating the obvious, but a good way to get a foot in the door in the mining industry,
is to assess what skills you already have, and see if they could be transferable to a mining job.
Whether that initial job is or isnt the job you are targeting, the most important and most
difficult step is to get a start in the industry, at whatever level. Once inside the industry, you
can work your way across or up the ladder to get the job you want.
There are many skills and qualifications that can be readily transferred from other industries
to mining. For example, mining companies need:
engineers
plumbers
electricians
builders
boilermakers
welders
mechanics
drivers
logistics people
general labourers
So if you fit into one of these categories, whether through qualifications or previous
experience, you've already got a head start!
Mining companies can also employ a wide range of people with non-mining skills such as:
administrative assistants
cooks
caterers

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cleaners
maintenance staff
filing clerks
childcare workers
IT personnel
accountants
bookkeepers
HR managers
nurses
medical staff
And for many of these positions you dont always need to have had previous experience.
So, although it is possible to secure a mining job without possessing any skills, or indeed any
mining skills, you would be well advised to assess all your current skills and experience to see
if they can be transferred to a job in the mining industry.
There are also traineeship jobs available in the mining sector that will offer the opportunity
for on-the-job training, or for securing new or upgraded qualifications.
Have you done your research?
If you have no mining experience and little in the way of industry-relevant training or
qualifications, doing your homework on the types of unskilled mining jobs available, and what
you can seriously see yourself doing, is a great way to steer yourself towards employment in
the mining industry. This Guide should give you most of what you need.
But you must be clear on what you want to achieve - dont adopt a scatter-gun approach.
Mining recruiters get frustrated with applicants who say Ill do anything, as it shows that the
applicant has no real focus or objective to secure a particular job or career. It also means that
the recruiter will have to trawl through your resume to ascertain your suitability for a job.
And in such a competitive environment, that is unlikely to happen. What is likely to happen in
that situation is that your application will go to the bottom of the pile, or even into the
shredder.
So you must research the industry, the working environment, the company, the companys
operations, their future plans, etc and, armed with that knowledge and information, you
should be able to make an informed judgement about just what type of employees the
company will be requiring and what roles they will need to fill.
Leaving your current job, your friends and family, and your home, to work on a distant mine
site is not as simple as getting a new job in another place; it requires a level of sacrifice and
commitment that is certainly not for everyone. So its important that you also spend time
researching the lifestyle, the risks and the rewards to be sure you know what to expect if and
when you do secure that job in Australias mining industry.
Creating your mining-focused resume
Definition: A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications,
often submitted with an employment application.

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Even if you have no mining experience or specific mining related training, it is still extremely
worthwhile preparing a polished resume for your targeted mining position.
The key is to relate non-mining work experience to the mining position youre targeting. For
example, if you were targeting a dump truck position and you have experience as a freight
courier or truck driver, you really need to sell your experience and expertise of previous work
experience into the position and role that you are targeting. If youre new to mining, your
resume should be no longer than 2-3 pages.
Your resume should list:
Your contact details
Introductory statement
Your skills
Your certificates, licences and training
Your work experience
Many people forget to include their contact details on their resume.
If you cant be contacted, you wont get the job!
You should include:
1.
Your home/mobile numbers
2.
Your email address
3.
Your current location
Preparing your introductory statement
The more specific you can be about wanting to move into mining, the stronger your resume
will be. By introducing yourself with a couple of sentences about wanting to move into mining,
you make it clear that a career in mining is your goal.
Detailing your skills
You should list your trade skills and any other skills that could be useful to you in a mining
job. Examples of skills:
Formwork carpentry
Stainless/carbon steel and aluminium fabrication
Pressure vessel fabrication
MIG, TIG, GAS, FLUX-CORE experience
Your certificates, licences and training
You should also list your certificates, licences and training courses, for example:
Engineering Certificate III (Boilermaker)
Qualified as Welding Supervisor under Australian standards
Riggers Licence
Your work experience
You should list your work experience, starting with the job youre in now. If youre not
currently employed, start with your most recent job.
Things to include:
1.
Name of job
2.
Name of company
3.
Location
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4.
5.
6.
Month and year that you started

Month and year that you finished
Short bullet points of what you did in this job
Preparing your job specific cover letter

A cover letter is usually a one-page document that gives you the chance to introduce yourself
to the company you want to hire you.
Cover letters for mining jobs should be around 3-4 paragraphs and should include:
1.
2.
The contact details of the company youre applying to
3.
A short summary of your background
4.
Reasons you want to work in mining
5.
Reasons why you would be well-suited to the job you are applying for
6.
Reasons you would be an asset to the employer
Your resume and cover letter are important!
Even if youre applying for an unskilled position, you need to remember that there will usually
be a lot of other people applying for the same unskilled positions as you. A strong, focused
resume and cover letter can really help you stand out from the crowd.
5 reasons why your mining job application is being ignored
There are many reasons why a recruiter or employer will ignore your resume, and
researchers have identified 5 key reasons - mistakes made by applicants - that generally
account for a resume being rejected or even totally ignored. Some of these overlap with the 7
Most Common Mistakes listed at the beginning of this Guide, which underscores just how
important they are.
They are:
1. Your resume isnt specific to the role being applied for. Submitting the same
generalist resume when applying for many different jobs is a mistake. Your resume
should be tuned and targeted to the specific job you are applying for. If your resume
doesnt instantly communicate that you have read the job ad and have the
qualifications and experience required of a successful applicant, you will likely be
ignored.
2. Saying that you will do any job that comes along. This is a very common practice
amongst applicants looking to work in the mining industry and usually results in the
application being ignored or even binned. To the recruiter or employer it simply
demonstrates a lack of initiative and care, two attributes that are the enemy of success.
Do your homework, be specific and show you have made an effort.
3. Not including a cover letter. Again, this reeks of an I dont care attitude. Simply
scatter-gunning your resume, without a cover letter or any communication that
specifically addresses the role you are applying for, indicates laziness and will very
likely result in your application being ignored.
4. Not being specific in your cover letter. Submitting a cover letter that doesnt address
the specific job you are applying for is a definite no-no. Missing such an obvious
opportunity to demonstrate that you understand the job, and what would be required
page 45
to be successful, shows a lack of care and detail. It also demonstrates that you may not
have read the job ad thoroughly and are just sending out blind, scatter-gun
applications.
5. Not addressing your application to anyone. Unaddressed applications are simply
begging to be ignored. Apart from reducing the chances of your application ending up
with the right person, its likely that if they do receive an unaddressed application, they
will ignore it. If theres no obvious recipient, research the company and who you
should be addressing your application to.
By purchasing this Guide, you have already demonstrated that you are prepared to invest in
your future career and success. Dont waste that investment by not investing further time and
effort in ensuring you are a stand-out applicant.
Always assume you are in competition with hundreds of other applicants (because in many
cases you will be), and always invest time and effort in submitting a strong, targeted
application.
Michelle is an award winning, Certified Advanced Resume
Writer with over 15 years experience across multiple
industry sectors. With a background in HR and recruiting,
combined with her resume writing credentials, Michelle is
well positioned to help jobseekers land interviews, change
career and overcome job hunting obstacles.
Miriam Cha a Director of Metro Resumes who specialise in
offering professional help with your mining resume and
cover letter.
One2OneResumes
metroresumes.com.au

Resume services
Having a mining focussed resume, even if you have never worked in mining is essential and
this is where a professional resume writer can help you make the most of your associated
skills and experiences. The resume writers below can help turn your resume into one that will
improve your chances of getting a mining job interview.
One2OneResumes
Metro Resumes
Win-Win Resumes
WESTjobs Professional Resume Writers Directory

page 46
Training & Qualifications Required

Overview
Once you have decided which area
you want to work in, or which
particular role you want to apply
for, your next step is to investigate
what training or qualifications you
will need, so youll have the best
opportunity to be considered for
that role. For many mine jobs,
licences, tickets and qualifications
can be mandatory or, at the very
least, looked upon favourably by
the recruiter. Expressing a
willingness to undertake further
training
or
get
further
qualifications is also favourably
considered.
Look to obtain the more generic mine tickets first, as they will not only be cheaper and
quicker to obtain, but are sometimes essential before you will be allowed onto a mine site.
Each mine site may have different minimum requirements so it really depends on the
company, the site, and which role you are applying for. You will need to do your research on
the company and the mine site to determine their requirements.
Basic qualifications
Most mine sites require the following basic documents or qualifications to be considered for
unskilled or entry-level jobs:
Motor Vehicle (Drivers) Licence: Most mining companies will require you to have a
current Australian drivers licence as you could be required to drive on and off site as
part of your employment.
Mining and Resource Contractors Safety Training Association (MARCSTA):
This organisation provides widely-recognised induction courses in health and safety
for the mining and construction industries. Most employers in the mining industry will
require a MARCSTA qualification.
Mine Workers Health Surveillance (MWHS) Test: This is a hearing and lung
function test, which every worker in the Western Australian mining industry is
required to undergo. The MWHS is conducted by a medical clinic and is arranged by
your employer.
Advanced First Aid Certificate: Mine sites are inherently dangerous places and,
although extremely high standards of safety practices are observed, accidents can and
do happen. Completing an Advanced First Aid Certificate will increase your prospects
of securing employment on a mine site.

page 47
Police Security Clearance: Some mine sites require a Police Security Clearance and, in
some cases, special security clearances are also required. While a Police Security
Clearance may not be required for all mine sites, on the majority of mining operations
police checks are mandatory.
Some employers may also require the following:
HR (Heavy Rigid) Vehicle License: If you are contemplating a position as a dump
truck or heavy vehicle driver, you will need an Australian-recognised heavy vehicle
drivers licence, and preferably have some experience with heavy vehicles.
The Useful Links section later in this guide will direct you to valuable information on which
courses or qualifications you might need, and which course providers can help you.
Mining training course providers
Once you have decided which area you want to work in, or which particular role you want to
apply for, your next step is to investigate what training or qualifications you will need, so
youll have the best opportunity to be considered for the mining role you have chosen to
target. Below you will find links to mining training providers from around Australia.
MARCSTA
Richards Mining Services
Aus-Com
Eyes on Safety
Challenger Institute of Technology
Central Institute of Technology
Aveling
Mining Training Directory
iMINCO
Industry Pathways
Mining Qualifications & Competence
Sharp Training
Safety Risk Training
Mine Machine Training
TESA Mining
OHSA
IFAP
RPM Global

page 48
How/Where to Find Job Vacancies

There a myriad of ways for you to find
a job in mining, and you should explore
them all as you work through your
search process. From building a
network of friends, associates and
contacts, to browsing every jobs
website in Australia, you should leave
no stone unturned in your search.
In the past 5-10 years it is the internet
that has been driving most of the
change and delivering the most
relevant and exciting options to people
looking to work in Australia's mining
industry. So while traditional paths to
job opportunities like newspapers, recruitment agencies and employers themselves can still
provide a pathway to a job, but it is the online jobs boards that now offer the fastest and most
effective way for job seekers to find work. Most recruiters and employers that place ads in
traditional media like newspapers will also place their ads online, so keeping an eye on all
media is still recommended.
The past decade or so has seen huge growth in the number and variety of online solutions for
job seekers, with generalist, sector and location-specific jobs boards, as well as blogs and
social media, all vying for the attention of job seekers.
One of the best ways to sort through these online offerings is to do a Google search on the
term that you think most applies to you, such as "mining jobs no experience", or "mining jobs
in Western Australia", and carefully browsing through and evaluating the search results.
Google's indexing methodology usually turns up the best, most trusted and most relevant
results on the first page, so that's where you should focus your time and attention.
The information below is centred around how today's job seekers operate, so it's slanted
towards the wide variety of online solutions available to job seekers looking to work in the
Australian mining industry.
As you work your way through your search process you will soon discover what is working
best for you and what isnt. It may be that you register for email job alerts so the jobs come to
you. It may be that you register for a basic training course, not just to get a qualification, but
also to meet and mingle with like-minded people who may be able to help you in your search.
Or you may focus on social media to reach out and spread the word about your goals and
aspirations. What is most important however is to never give up! Try every avenue at least
once, and just keep on trying!
Here are some suggestions to help with your search

page 49
Using jobs boards

Online jobs boards have all but displaced traditional media, such as newspapers, as the major
source of job vacancies for job seekers. Their advantages over traditional media are obvious
to both advertisers and job seekers.
For advertisers:
24/7 availability upload new job ads at any time
new job ads are displayed immediately
automatic applicant screening
For:
24/7 availability search job ads at any time
constantly-refreshed and updated job ads
ability to attach cover letters, resumes
register for automatic email job alerts
There are hundreds of generalist and sector/location-specific jobs boards available for job
seekers, and the recent rise of job ad aggregators where thousands of job ads from hundreds
of disparate sources are gathered or aggregated into one site, ready for job seekers to
search.
As well as browsing and searching for jobs on these sites, you can also register to receive an
automatic email as soon as a new job matching your criteria is listed. We strongly recommend
that you use this function to help with your job search.
Using social media
LinkedIn
The largest and most popular social media
network for professionals is LinkedIn
(www.linkedin.com) with around 200 million
users worldwide and over 4 million in
Australia (January 2013). LinkedIn is used for
networking, careers and job-hunting, as well
as for building special interest groups of likeminded users, or users with a specific work
or personal interest. The majority of LinkedIn
users are business professionals. When
looking for a new role, or a career change, it
is imperative that you have a strong LinkedIn
presence to maximise your employment
opportunities.
You can use LinkedIn passively by simply
listing your resume, making it accessible to your first, second and third degree connections. Or
you can be more proactive and optimise your presence to rank higher in searches and appear
on the radar of recruiters. Or you can maximise your value to your network and become
known as a person of influence or a go-to person. Thats just one step away from having
job offers come to you.
page 50
Here are some tips for using LinkedIn:

Add your personal LinkedIn URL to your email signature wherever you think a
prospective employer might see it.
Ensure that when sending invitations to connect, delete generic information to make it
as personal as possible.
Give something before you ask for something. This is crucial to making a success of
your LinkedIn profile, so the people you want to impress will take you more seriously.
Always stay active on LinkedIn to share your ideas, start discussions and update your
profile. The more active you are on the site, the more your profile will be noticed and
the more connections you will receive.
Join as many groups as you can that are related to mining, mining services, mining
recruitment, etc. Here are some suggestions:
o Mining, Oil & Gas
o Mining Australia
o Mining Industry Network Australia
o Mining Industry Professionals
o Mining IQ
o Mining Safety
o Gorgon Project
o Roy Hill
When building your LinkedIn profile, you should include a range of personal information, as
well as your work and career information. Your profile should be well-rounded, rather than
a one-dimensional, bullet-point list of your past roles and achievements. You should share
your personal voice, telling people who you are, what you do and what your interests are. This
information will make others want to connect with you, instead of losing their interest. We
strongly recommend taking a look at the profiles of other like-minded people on the network
to get some tips on how to set up your profile.
Find out what keywords recruiters or
employers use to find someone like you. With
LinkedIn you can search to see how many
people come up with your keywords, and you
can look at others peoples profiles to help you
position your skills against your competitors.
Always try to stand out.
LinkedIn can connect you with recruiters,
employers and HR professionals, and can also
connect you to industry-specific blogs and
discussions that you could use when talking to
a prospective recruiter or employer, to
impress them with your initiative and
knowledge.
Facebook
Today, most employers and recruiters will research their applicants and candidates on social
media, to ensure they are making the right choice. As well as LinkedIn, which we have already
page 51
said has a majority of users who are employed as professionals, there is the worlds #1 social
media site, Facebook. At the end of 2012, Facebook had over 1 billion active users, so its a fair
bet that a researcher will find something about you on one of these sites. And remember, its
very likely the real you that is on display to the world, and the real you is probably not what
youd want a prospective employer or recruiter to see when you are trying to secure an
interview for a new job.
One issue with Facebook is that they regularly change their privacy settings, giving you
options about what can appear and where. If youre looking for a job, you must keep on top of
these, as you dont want to be posting things youd rather keep amongst your friends.
A good test to carry out is to log out of your Facebook profile every now and again, then
Google your name to see what comes up publicly. You should also view your profile as
someone else sees it, not just as you see it. If youre serious about looking for a job, you need
to put yourself in the shoes of an employer or recruiter, and think and act like them to see
what they see.
Twitter
Twitter is a great little networking and profile management tool. Like LinkedIn it can help you
come up high in Google searches associated with your name.
When youre looking for a new job, or looking to attract attention to your search, the following
tips might be helpful when managing your Twitter profile:
Choose a professional-looking photo. You might want to use the same one that you
use for LinkedIn as personal branding is all about consistency. People are visual.
Theyll remember a face more so than a written name.
Make sure your bio is informative. You only have 160 characters, so keep it short
and to the point. Twitter is more informal than LinkedIn so you can inject a little
humour.
Make sure you include a link to your LinkedIn profile, website or blog. That way
people can find you and connect with you, if they like what youre tweeting.
Include location data. This helps you to be found in external directories such as
Twellow.
Search hash tags and join relevant conversations. This allows others to connect
with what you are saying and follow you.
Set up lists. Twitter is rapid-fire. If you decide to follow recruiters, coaches or
employers, this tool allows you to more easily sort and access tweets.
Share other peoples stuff more so than your own. Unless you are a celebrity,
nobody likes an over-sharer or a shouter. Share other peoples tweets and many of
them will thank you and follow you.
How social media can hinder your search
What youve posted on social media can impact heavily on your employment prospects. You
need to be extremely mindful of how you will be perceived online, and you must ensure that
there is nothing online that a recruiter or employer will find that would reflect poorly or
negatively on you.

page 52
So its probably time to review the information you have posted on these sites, viewed from
the perspective of a potential mining company employer or recruiter. For example, they wont
want to see:
Drinking, or boasting about drinking. Employers have zero tolerance
Blatant promiscuity or sexualised behaviour. Employers have zero tolerance
Fighting or displaying an aggressive attitude. Employers have zero tolerance
Disrespect for authority or property. Employers have zero tolerance
Disrespect for your own or other peoples safety. Employers have zero tolerance
The good news is that social media can be a very powerful tool for good; it can be used to
enhance your personal brand as well as your professional network, to put the word out
that you are looking for a career change, or to simply network up with like-minded people and
businesses.
However the most important rule in all of this is:
Profile yourself exactly as you would want a prospective employer to see you.
Karalyn Brown is the Founder of InterviewIQ a blog dedicated to
helping you find a job. She is a former HR and recruitment
consultant and careers journalist and is the most connected
Australian woman on LinkedIn.
interviewiq.com.au
Phillipa Kiripatea is a professional Social Media Speaker and runs
seminars and workshops through her company Social Divas.
socialdivas.com.au

Australian Jobs boards
Online jobs boards have virtually displaced traditional media, such as newspapers, as the
major source of vacancies for job seekers. Their advantages over traditional media for are:
24/7 availability search job ads at any time
constantly-refreshed and updated job ads
ability to attach cover letters, resumes
register for automatic email job alerts
Below you will find links to Australias leading mining-related jobs boards:
WESTjobs WAs premier jobs board
NSWjobs A niche jobs board for New South Wales
Jobsearch National Jobs board with over 160,000 jobs
Jobseeker - National Jobs board with over 160,000 jobs

page 53
Australian Jobsearch Government Jobs board

CareerOne One of the top 3 jobs boards in Australia
MyCareer One of the top 3 jobs boards in Australia
Seek The top jobs board in Australia
Hays Large recruitment agency Jobs board
Social media
Job seekers today cannot afford to overlook the importance that social media can play in their
search for a job or a career, particularly in the competitive environment that is Australias
mining industry. It is a fact that most recruiters and employers will check you out on social
media, in the course of their routine due-diligence, reference-checking and character
assessment. The golden rule is, If you post your life online, a recruiter or employer will find it!
Below youll find invaluable tips and guidance about using social media in your job search:
Forbes
Wall Street Journal
Queensland Government
Adcorp
CareerIgnition
Telegraph.co.uk
Huffington Post
Social Divas
InterviewIQ

page 54
International & Overseas Applicants

What do you know about Australia?
Australia a vast country
Australia, the worlds largest island
continent, is a vast country, with a
land area more than double that of
the whole of Europe (refer map
above), and huge distances between
cities, towns and settlements. When
a mine site in Australia is referred to
as remote, it can mean that the site
is thousands of kilometres away
from the nearest town or city. People
whose cars break down or who get
lost in what is known as the
Australian outback, will often
perish before they can get help.
Outback Australia is no place for the
inexperienced or the faint-hearted,
with heat and lack of water being
common enemies of survival.
Notwithstanding that, many people also find it a beautiful and enchanting place, where
isolation and space can be a welcome contrast to the hustle, bustle and closeness of the UK
and Europe.
The Australian culture
Australias culture has its roots in both indigenous and European cultures. Australias
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, which are believed to have the oldest living
cultural histories in the world - they go back at least 50,000 years and some argue closer to
65,000 years - are complex and diverse. Aboriginal cultures have a strong affinity with their
land and country, which goes a long way to explaining how Aboriginal people have survived
for so long. Australias European settlement, which began in the late 1700s, saw people from
the UK, and later other European countries, bring with them their unique cultures including
their lifestyles, their food and other ways of life, to blend into Australias existing cultures and
lifestyles.
Australians are well known for their laid-back approach to life. They are a proud people,
extremely protective of their land and culture, which can generally be summed up as being
egalitarian and matey. Australians dont like pretentiousness or people who are above their
station, and will quickly put those people in their place.
With every Australian capital city carefully positioned on the coast, and a climate that is the
envy of most countries, Australians have a well-deserved reputation as lovers of the outdoors,
with beaches and BBQs being enduring symbols of the Aussie lifestyle.

page 55
However Australians also have a reputation for hard work in sometimes difficult
environments, which may be why mining has been, and continues to be, such a successful and
growing contributor to Australias business, employment and economic environments.
Housing in Australia
Australian cities and towns offer a wide range of housing options. From a single house on a
block of land in the suburb of a city, to a one-bedroom flat in a high-rise block in an inner city
area, to a house on acreage in a rural area, Australia offers some of the worlds most diverse
living options. Typically, the Australian dream is to own a home on a block of land close to
schools, workplaces and other facilities. To achieve this, many will opt to rent before they can
qualify financially to buy their home, or before they have decided where they want to live.
The price of housing varies a lot between cities and towns, and then again within each city or
town. Proximity to services such as workplaces, city centres, schools, transport and shopping
will impact enormously on the price of housing. With 90% of Australias population
concentrated in the major capital cities, all of which themselves are located on the coast of the
continent, Australias population is widely dispersed.
For example, Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is the most remote capital city in the
world, with its nearest neighbour, Adelaide (the capital of South Australia), being 2,700 km
away, or more than two days driving, by road. Most people live in the suburbs of the state
capital cities. They like to live close to where they work, go to school, access community
facilities and use leisure areas.
Country towns and regional cities are smaller and widely separated. Life in a country town is
more relaxed and less expensive than in a big city. Home ownership is usually more
achievable for people who choose to work and live in towns away from the capital cities.
Making the move to Australia
Moving internationally can be an
overwhelming,
yet
life-changing,
experience. There is an added layer of
complexity when moving overseas and
it is important to obtain the correct
information
before
making
any
decisions.
We have summarised below some of the
key considerations when contemplating
an international move to Australia.
Family circumstances
There are many benefits to family life in
Australia. You need to consider whether
your family members will be joining you permanently from the beginning or later on, once
you are more settled. If you will be working in a very remote location consider what impact
your absence might have and how to minimise the disruption. It is important to also prepare
children for the move and their new life so they are more likely to settle quickly.

page 56
Obtaining your visa

Australia continues to be a popular
destination for migrants, with its employment
opportunities and outdoor lifestyle. In the last
financial year Western Australia attracted
around 17% of the total settler and long term
visitor arrivals within Australia1.
You will need an Australian visa if you want to
migrate to Australia unless you already have
Australian Residency or Citizenship, or other
reciprocal entry rights such as those provided
to New Zealand citizens. The type of visa you
need will depend on your reasons for moving
to Australia and the proposed length of stay. If
you plan to work you will need a visa with
work rights and may want to look at being
sponsored by a company. Visas for
accompanying or visiting partners or children
also need to be considered (see section.
Managing key dates
It is important to be organised when moving because many tasks have specific time
requirements and processes which can take many days or weeks to complete. You must also
plan for the unexpected, monitor progress and have contingency plans in place should there
be delays. Take note of other events taking place such as school holiday periods, events that
book out temporary accommodation, or peak busy periods for moving to Australia.
Key dates can include:
Visa applications
Relocation of household goods (shipping can take up to 8 weeks);
Relocation of pets due to quarantine requirements;
Bookings for flights, airport transfers, temporary accommodation & car hire; and
Applications for schools or further education which may have waiting periods and/or
set intake dates.
The costs of relocation
When moving internationally your budget should include expected costs as well as
contingency funds. You need to consider that the cost of living and lifestyle you may wish to
have in Australia may be different to the lifestyle you have been used to in your home country.
Costs are likely to include:
Relocation costs including those associated with leaving your current location;
Temporary costs upon arrival such as a short-term accommodation and car hire; and
Ongoing costs associated with living in Australia.
Source Australian Bureau of Statistics, September 2012 (released 28 March 2013)

page 57
Cultural issues
Moving to a new country will result in cultural changes even if you speak the same language.
In fact, individuals with English as their native languages often underestimate the differences
they will experience and can be surprised to find themselves with culture shock. The local
slang and tone of voice being used can easily be misinterpreted causing confusion or anger.
Language barriers are only one of the
challenges new arrivals may face. Australian
workplaces have their own unique culture and
ways of working which can take some time to
understand. Australians can be quite abrupt in
their manner and also have a less hierarchal
relationship with their managers, which can be
unusual for some foreigners.
Social etiquette also takes time to comprehend.
The Australian lifestyle is fairly laid back
compared to many other countries. However,
there are still social customs and expectations
that you will need to be aware of in order to fit
in.
Practical issues
There are literally hundreds of decisions to be made when moving such as:
Which household items to ship
What type of accommodation will you be living in?
Will the weather affect delicate items?
What temporary arrangements can be made until furniture arrives?
Can pets be relocated?
Will the pets health impact your decision?
How well will they cope with such a major transition?
How important is it that they stay with your family?
Where will I live?
Which is your preferred location?
What type of accommodation do you need?
What costs are involved?
How do I choose schools?
Will public or private education be better?
What are the school terms in Australia?
How long is the waiting list for childcare and schools?
What health cover should I have?
Will you need private health insurance?
What is and is not covered?
What waiting periods will there be for treatment?
The list is long and the right answers will depend on each persons specific circumstances.

page 58
Are there support services?

Planning a move to Australia can be like taking on a second job. There is a lot to do and
manage; however, there is support available. There are a variety of professionals who can
help you with different aspects of your move. These are priced accordingly, such as
traditionally expensive hand held support compared to more affordable online guidance.
Service providers
Relocation companies who provide overall support and guidance
Online relocation applications that guide you through your move
Removalists/movers who will physically relocate your goods or pets
Migration lawyers or agents who can assist with your visa requirements
Education agents who provide help with education needs
Buyers advocates or property locators who can help find accommodation
Insurance agents who can provide insurance options for health, home & vehicles
Career counsellors who can guide you through your employment options
Financial advisors that can help with taxation and transferring pensions or funds
Wendy Jenkins is the founding owner of moving2plan, an online
relocation application for considering migrating to or within
Australia.
moving2plan.com.au

Removal, relocation & storage services
While some companies will provide full relocation services to senior executives and
employees, most employees in the mining industry in Australia would be expected to make
their own arrangements, at their own cost, when moving from city to city or state to state.
Of the removal/relocation/storage services listed below, many operate nationally as well as
internationally. It is important to make your own enquiries as to the scope, trustworthiness
and reliability of their services.
The Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA) is an official body of removals experts
that helps regulate the removals industry. AFRA accredits only those furniture removalists
that have the necessary equipment, vehicles, premises and staff training needed to complete a
professional move.
Crown Relocations
Chess Moving
Allied Pickfords Perth
Grace Removals
Kent Moving
Wridgways
page 59
Reliable Relocations
Relocation Services Australia
Transglobal Shipping & Storage
Intlmovers
King & Wilson Moving and Storage
Britannia Movers International
PSS International Removals
1st Move International Removals

page 60
Visas for Overseas Applicants

All people from overseas, who want
to work in Australia, must have a
valid visa with work rights. There
are no exceptions.
Without a valid visa, you may not be
allowed to enter Australia or, once
there, you may have severe
restrictions
placed
on
your
eligibility to work. This could
include you being prevented from
undertaking any work whilst in
Australia.
It is critical that you arrange your
relevant visa before you leave your
own country. The processes involved in obtaining your visa can be complicated and stressful.
You will be asked to provide a great deal of personal information, subject yourself to medical
tests and, in some cases, an English proficiency test.
The majority of overseas workers in Australia are employed under Working Holiday Visas
(WHV), an Employer-Sponsored 457 Visa, or a Labour Agreement.
Skills shortages in the mining industry are reflected in government policy, with skills
shortages listed on Independent General Skilled Migration (SOL1), which was designed to
cater for such shortages.
Any person emigrating to Australia must first obtain a work visa (or, under special
circumstances, an alternative visa type see Special Circumstances below).
Types of Visa
All Australian work visas for foreign workers emigrating to Australia are called 457 Visas.
This is a temporary visa that lasts up to four years. It can be a pathway to a permanent work
visa.
There are four main types of work visas:
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) & Regional Sponsored
Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187)
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Skilled Sponsored Visa (Subclass 190)
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 489)
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)
The ENS Visa refers to the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa that grants Australian
permanent residence status to overseas workers sponsored by Australian employers. This

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scheme was designed to improve Australia's global competitiveness by satisfying shortages in

the local skilled labour market, and to retain the best skilled workers.
The ENS visa has 3 streams:
1. Temporary Residence Transition Stream (TRTS): For qualifying 457 visa holders who
have completed 2 years on a 457 visa in their nominated occupation, with the ENS
nominating employer.
2. Direct Entry Stream (DE): For a range of applicants including non-qualifying 457 visa
holders who undergo a skills assessment in their nominated occupation and 3 years (post
qualification) work experience.
3. Agreement stream (LA): Where a nominating business holds a Labour Agreement.
The ENS application process goes through two important stages:
1. Employer Nomination
Australian employers must meet certain requirements to nominate an approved position. The
position that has to be nominated or filled must also meet some requirements. For instance, it
must be a full time position for a minimum of 2 years. It should also be included in the
gazetted list with approved ENS occupations (CSOL).
2. Visa Application
The visa application can be lodged concurrently with the employer nomination, or once the
nomination gets approved, you need to lodge the visa application within 6 months. This
should be done at the same DIAC Business Centre as the nomination even when the nominee
isn't in Australia.
Qualifications for prospective applicants include:
1. Must be aged 49 years or younger;
2. Must meet the prescribed criteria for English language proficiency (not required for
citizens of the UK, Ireland, US, Canada and New Zealand); and
3. Must hold the necessary qualifications, skills, licences and registrations and/or
experience for the position nominated.
Eligible applicants without sponsors can still lodge an Expression of Interest. This is done
through the DIAC Skill Select database. Prospective state/territory governments and
employers can then view the applicant details from this database and may offer ENS/RSMS
sponsored jobs.
Successful employer-nominated visa applicants will become permanent residents of Australia.
As such, they will be entitled to study, live and work in Australia permanently. Other benefits
include the opportunity to apply for citizenship, various social security benefits (after waiting
periods) and government-subsidised healthcare.
Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187)
The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme or RSMS visa (Subclass 187) is a permanent
employer sponsored visa which requires a job offer in a Regional Area of Australia for a
minimum of 2 years.
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RSMS Regional Areas

In order to be granted an RSMS visa, the employee must be offered a position in a regional
area. The regional areas are specified by postcode by the Department of Immigration.
The following are considered Regional areas for the purposes of RSMS sponsorship:
The whole of State of Western Australia (including Perth)
New South Wales (NSW) all areas excluding: Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong
Victoria all areas excluding Melbourne
Queensland all areas excluding Brisbane
The whole of State of South Australia
The whole of State of Tasmania
The whole of ACT
The whole of the Northern Territory
See DIAC website for postcode details.
There are three application streams for an RSMS visa:
Temporary Residence Transition (TRTS): where applicants have worked with the
employer on a 457 visa for the last 2 years. In this case, no RCB certification is required
and an English level equivalent to IELTS 5 is required.
Direct Entry Stream (DE): the position will need to be certified by an RCB, and the
employee will need English level equivalent to IELTS 6. Applicants in trade occupations
may require a formal skills assessment.
Labour Agreement Stream (LA): where the employer has a Labour Agreement
RSMS Application Stages
There are in general three stages to an RSMS application:
RCB Certification: The Regional Certifying Body (RCB) will ensure that the position is
genuine and in many cases require that the position has been advertised, and market
tested. RCB approval is not required for TRTS applications, as the fact that the applicant
has held the position for 2 years on a 457 visa is proof the position is in need and they
possess the skills and attributes for the role.
2. Position Nomination: Review of the business and position by the Department of
Immigration. The occupation must be skill level 1 3 on the ANZSCO.
3. Visa application: There are three pathways, and generally the skill level is lower than
for the ENS program. Applicants must be aged under 50, unless exceptional
circumstances apply.
1.
Criteria for prospective applicants include:

1. Aged 49 years or younger
2. Meet the prescribed criteria for the English language (or be exempt e.g. citizens of UK,
Ireland, US, Canada and New Zealand).
3. Hold the necessary qualifications, skills, licences and registrations and/or experience
for the position nominated. For RSMS skills assessment is required for trade

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occupation, otherwise the applicant is required to meet the requirements as per

ANZSCO.
The RSMS is now widely used in WA, as the permanent residence option. For employees its
an easier path to PR than the ENS, and for employers it still locks in the employees for a
couple of years as there is an obligation once approved to work with the nominating employer
and live in the Regional area for a period of 2 years. There are various other criteria to be met
depending on the occupation, and nationality of the applicant (e.g. skills assessment required
for DE trade roles, and IELTS 5.0 for TRST, 6.0 for DE, for non English speaking countries).
Due to current RSMS processing times (up to 6 months as decision ready visa registered
migration agent, or possible 12 months as non-decision ready) if an employer is seeking to
recruit an overseas candidate, they may choose the 457 visa program as a quicker option, if
training benchmarks and market salaries are met.
Entitlements for the Australian RSMS Visa
Successful employer nomination visa applicants will become permanent residents in
Australia. As such, they will be entitled to study, live and work in the country permanently.
Other benefits include the opportunity to apply for citizenship, various social security benefits
(after waiting periods) and government-subsidised healthcare. There is a 2 year commitment
to remain with the nominating employer and in the regional area.
Labour Agreement
This visa is for immigrants who have an employer in Australia or an industry association who
wants to nominate them. A Labour Agreement (LA) is an arrangement between the Australian
Government (DIAC), the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and
the employer or industry association, to allow workers to enter Australia for certain job
vacancies where there is a shortage of skilled workers in Australia. A labour agreement is
generally used for larger organisation, or for on-hire recruitment companies. There is a 457
temporary worker visa and permanent versions for both ENS and RSMS.
Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs)
The EMAs program is targeted towards the large resource projects being undertaken in
Australia. These projects have significant fiscal and employment consequences for the
Australian economy. An EMA will be an agreement between DIAC and the resource project
owner. The initiative is to assist the large projects access skilled and semi-skilled labour
where it can demonstrate a genuine need. The major advantage to the employer will be access
to semi-skilled workers these will include occupations outside the 457 program list. There
will be a threshold in place for projects to access the program currently proposed at $2bn and
peaking with a least 1,500 workers. Approximately 16 projects in Australia currently meet
this threshold.
From an applicants point of view while job hunting, you may not realise you are applying for
a role offering a visa under an EMA. This should not really enter the application process from
the candidates side. Note, however if you are a semi-skilled worker, you could target the
employers in the projects holding EMAs.
Regional Migration Program (RMA)

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An RMA is a consultative approach to employer sponsored Regional migration. Employers will

negotiate with DIAC, local and State government and unions. DIAC advised RMAs will be
custom-designed, geographically based migration arrangements that set out the occupations
and numbers of overseas workers needed in the area. Employers will have access to
international labour where they can demonstrate a genuine shortage from the local labour
force. Significant training by employers and local authority training will be required to access
the RMAs. High growth regional areas will be targeted in the program. In effect RMAs are a
Regional umbrella agreement with streamlined Labour Agreements held by the individual
employers in place under the RMA terms.
Similar to an EMA, applicants should not get bogged down in this detail, and the employer
holders or EMAs or RMAs will have registered migration agents/lawyers to handle this
process on your behalf.
Skilled Independent Visa (189)
This is a points-based visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state
or territory, or a family member. It replaces the previous Subclass 175 (Offshore) and
Subclass 885 (Onshore) skilled independent visas. The visa can be lodged inside or outside
Australia, and once approved you can live and
work permanently anywhere in Australia, and
eligible family members can be included in
your application. This is a permanent visa that
allows visa holders to remain in Australia
indefinitely with unlimited work rights.
To be able to submit a valid application for
this visa you need to first submit an
Expression of Interest (EOI) through
SkillSelect system. Applications are by
invitation only, and lodging an Expression of
interest is not a visa application. Bridging visa
rights are only applicable if a visa application
has been made while in Australia on an
eligible substantive visa (with no No Further
Stay restrictions). To be invited to apply, you
must:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI); and
Have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list (SOL1); and
Have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation; and
Be older than 18 and less than 50 years of age when the invitation is issued; and
Meet the English language requirements; and
Be able to score at least 60 on the points test; and
Meet the health and character requirements
While the base points requirement is currently 60 points, in fact the applications with the
highest points will have the best chance of receiving an invitation. If you are invited to apply
for this visa, you will then have 60 days in which to submit your online application. Invitations
are based on claims made in your Expression of Interest at the time you are invited to apply.

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Your application must reflect the information provided in your Expression of Interest, and be
supported by relevant evidence, or your application could be rejected.
Entitlements
This visa allows you and your accompanying family members to:
Live and work permanently in Australia
Study in Australia
Enrol in Medicare (Australia's scheme covering health-related care and expenses)
Access certain social security payments after waiting periods
Apply for Australian citizenship (subject to residency criteria)
Sponsor family members for permanent residence
Skilled Sponsored Visa (Subclass 190)
This points-based visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a State or Territory or
sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area in Australia. The visa is valid for
four years, and a visa holder must live and work in a specified regional area. Additionally,
eligible family members can be included in the application.
The Skilled Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) Subclass 489 visa replaces both the
offshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored Subclass 475 visa and the onshore Subclass 487 visa.
To be able to submit a valid application for this visa you need to first submit an Expression of
Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system. You can do this from outside Australia, or once
in Australia.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this visa, you must be nominated by a state or territory government, or be
sponsored by an eligible relative.
There are basic requirements you must meet to be eligible to apply for this visa. For example
you must:
Be between 18 and 50 years of age when the invitation is issued;
Nominate an occupation that matches your skills and qualifications and is on the
relevant skilled occupation list;
Have your skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your
nominated occupation;
Have at least competent English;
Score at least 60 on the points test; and
Meet the health and character requirements.
If you are invited to apply for this visa, you will then have 60 days in which to submit your
online application. Your invitation letter will explain the process you should follow.
Invitations are based on claims made in your Expression of Interest at the time you are invited
to apply. Your application must reflect the information provided in your Expression of
Interest, and be supported by relevant evidence.
Entitlements
This visa allows you and your dependents to:

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Temporarily live and work in a designated regional area in Australia

Study in a specified regional area of Australia
Travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid
Apply for permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (Residence) visa (subclass
887) after certain conditions have been met. To be granted this visa, you must have
lived for at least two years and worked full time for a total period of 12 months in a
Specified Regional Area of Australia before lodging your visa application.
There are obligations that your nominating State or Territory will require you to meet. These
include that you:
Stay in that State or Territory for at least two years
Keep the State or Territory informed of any changes to your address
Complete surveys and provide information when asked.
If you are sponsored by an eligible family member, you must live and work in a designated
area. If you plan to seek permanent residence, you will need to prove that you have spent the
specified time in a designated area.
If you do not comply with these conditions, your visa, and those of any accompanying family
members, may be cancelled and you will not be able to apply for another provisional Skilled
Regional Sponsored visa. You may also not meet the requirements to apply for permanent
residence.
Eligible Sponsors
A sponsor must be at least 18 years of age who resides in Australia as one of the following:
An Australian citizen
An Australian permanent resident
An eligible New Zealand citizen.
You or your partner must be related to your sponsor as:
A child including a stepchild, or
A parent including a step parent, or
A brother or sister including adoptive or step-sibling, or
A niece or nephew including adoptive or step-niece or nephew, or
An aunt or uncle including adoptive or step-aunt or uncle, or
A grandparent or first cousin.
Your dependents that were not included in your original application may also be eligible to
apply for this visa.
As a holder of one of the above provisional visas, you and any subsequent applicants do not
need to submit an Expression of Interest and/or receive an invitation to apply. Instead you
apply by submitting an application for Provisional Skilled Regional Renewal Visa (489) or an
application for Provisional Skilled Regional Subsequent Entrant Visa (489).

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However, you can only be granted a maximum of two provisional skilled visas, meaning if
you've held any of the subclass 495, 496, 475 or 487 visas more than once, you cannot apply
for a subclass 489 visa.
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 489)
The requirements for this visa incorporate all those needed for the Skilled Sponsored Visa, but
with four additional conditions:
1. Applicants must agree to work for at least one year and live for two years in a Specified
Regional Area of Australia. These areas are:
New South Wales except Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong,
Northern Territory, Queensland, (except the Gold Coast and the Greater
Brisbane area), Tasmania, Victoria (except the Melbourne metropolitan area),
Western Australia (except Perth metropolitan area).
2. The relative acting as a sponsor must live in the Specified Regional Area in which the
applicant wishes to work.
3. Like all 457 visas, this is valid for three years only, but it provides a pathway to
permanent residence.
4. The applicant must be able to demonstrate specialised skills in an area of need.
How do I find a 457 employer/sponsor in Australia?
This is currently the single most asked question from potential migrants to Australia.
There are several crucial steps you can take to significantly increase your chances of finding
an employer/sponsor in Australia. They are:
Do your research: There is plenty of information across the internet with industry and skillsassessing organisations, expat and migration
forums, job surveys, the DIAC website, jobs
boards and on the useful websites (ref Useful
Links at the end of this section).
Engage a reputable registered migration
agent: You are likely to have many questions
about the migration and employment
processes, so we strongly recommend that
you engage a professional migration agent. If
your long-term objective is to obtain
permanent residency in Australia, there are
many factors to consider (e.g. which
occupation will you nominate; which States
could sponsor your occupation, etc?). Also,
once you have engaged a migration agent,
you can refer any questions directly to your
agent, smoothing the pathway for your
prospective employer to agree to sponsorship.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare: Ideally your resume should be prepared by a professional
resume writer. This is your introduction (from a distance) to your prospective employer, and
so is your key marketing tool. Always include all your certificates, references etc. If you
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require skills assessments, professional registration or licensing, IELTS tests or even a new
passport, these are best obtained before you send your resume to any employer. Prepare
yourself properly and thoroughly for interviews, including possible video interviews (eg via
Skype).
Browse jobs boards: Search all the major jobs boards in Australia to get an idea of which
employers are hiring and where they are hiring. Read all the mining job ads carefully, even if
youre not going to apply, as this will familiarise you with the terminology, locations of jobs,
salary expectations and so on. The best jobs boards to browse are the job ad aggregators such
as WESTjobs and Jobsearch. Other sites like CareerOne, MyCareer and Seek have hundreds of
Australian jobs online, as do many of the niche jobs boards.
If possible, visit Australia: If possible, after doing your research, you should visit Australia to
research locations and prospective employers (Note: Dont forget that a holiday visa is for
holidaying and not for job-searching!). Be prepared to expand your search focus, as there are
many more job and employer sponsorship opportunities in regional areas of Australia.
Enquire about securing a visa that will allow you to attend job interviews.
Contact Employers: Many jobs are never advertised. Try to make contact with prospective
employers directly (see More Useful Links/Contacts at the end of this Guide).
Contact Recruiters: There are recruiters who specialise in mining jobs (see Useful
Links/Contacts at the end of this section).
Be persistent, be patient, and dont give up!: As a matter of course you will receive many
rejections, as the vast majority of positions advertised in Australia will be filled by locals and
so will not help you in your search for an employer/sponsor.
If you want to get to Australia in a hurry, then a 457 Visa is the way to go, if you can find an
employer/sponsor for your skills. At the same time, dont ignore your longer-term strategy if
ultimately you intend to apply for a permanent visa. Importantly, dont leave this until your
457 has almost expired!
If you are serious about obtaining employer sponsorship then do your research and your
homework, have a well-prepared strategy and stick to it.

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10 Questions to ask a potential an Australian employer/sponsor

If you are fortunate enough to find an
employer willing to sponsor your visa to
Australia, then you should do your
homework and be prepared to ask, and be
asked, these important questions:
1. Is your employer an approved 457
Visa Sponsor?
It may seem like an obvious question,
but just because you have a job offer
does not mean it will eventuate. If the
employer is not already approved for
sponsorship, then there are many
questions you need to ask before you start making arrangements to come to Australia. For
many employers, obtaining approval as 457 Sponsor is a straightforward process, but
meeting the 457 training benchmark is more difficult. While there are several criteria to
meet, generally the most challenging is the training benchmark.
If your prospective employer is not an approved sponsor, its fair to ask if they will be
lodging their application themselves or will they be using an agent? And are they familiar
with the requirements, the process and their obligations?
2. Will Sponsorship be offered on ENS or RSMS?
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
are both permanent employer-sponsored visas. Would you prefer this rather than a 457
Temporary Visa? Obviously, most sponsors prefer the 457 Visa, as it ties you to your
sponsor, although it is possible to find a new sponsor to assume your visa. Some sponsors
will offer the permanent ENS/RSMS option because they are not eligible to meet the
training benchmarks, or they prefer not to have to meet the obligations imposed on 457
sponsors. Its best to ask this upfront rather than realising much later that it was never on
an employers agenda.
One of the ENS and RSMS options allows
sponsorship after 2 years on a 457 visa, so
this is often the assumption, but
Permanent Residence under ENS is
discretionary on the employer. An
employer may sponsor you under
ENS/RSMS immediately, without a 457, so
its worth enquiring about this option.
Processing times for ENS/RSMS can be
lengthy, so a 457 may be the quickest
option to enter Australia and work
continuously with your employer.
ENS/RSMS could be a longer-term
strategy, but you need to work that out
prior.

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3. Do you provide salary packaging/LAFHA?

If youve been doing your research about a 457 visa, you would have come across this
phrase. LAFHA stands for Living Away From Home Allowance. While being phased out
in its current form, there are some salary packing options, which provide similar benefits.
It is discretionary on the employer, and some employers are not familiar with it. If your
employer is not familiar with Salary Packaging/LAFHA, and does not offer it, you may
request it. It can make a significant difference to your take-home pay. If you apply for ENS
or RSMS you may not be eligible for salary packaging/LAFHA, however this is something
you should check with a personal advisor.
4. What about my salary package?
It is best to enquire about the salary on offer during your interview. Unless your employer
can demonstrate the salary is equivalent to Market Salary Rates (MSR) to DIAC, the 457
nomination will not be approved. The easiest way to demonstrate MSR is to do a
comparison with an equivalent Australian employee in the same workplace. Overseas
applicants are usually happy just to receive a job offer and may not want to disrupt the
process by entering into salary negotiations. However, you must ensure that the offer
meets the market salary and is above the minimum threshold (TSMIT). People with indemand skills will be in a stronger position to negotiate.
5. Will relocation assistance be provided to me?
This varies from employer to employer, and will often also depend on the level of the role.
Generally the larger employer sponsors will provide relocation assistance in some form.
Some cover flights for primary applicant and dependents, and some cover shipping of
personal belongings, or an allowance to cover this. There is often a cap imposed, and you
may have to pay up front and be reimbursed later.
There is no obligation on a sponsor to provide relocation assistance, so it comes down to
negotiations between you and your employer/sponsor.
6. Will an employer cover my visa fees and migration agent costs?
Again this varies between employers, and also between occupations. Some sponsors will
cover all related visa and migration agent costs, travel, personal freight, initial
accommodation and more. There is no mandatory requirement for the sponsor to cover
visa costs, except their own costs associated with becoming a sponsor or nominating the
position.
There is no obligation on a sponsor to provide such assistance, so it will come down to
negotiations between you and your employer/sponsor.
7. If it all goes pear shaped, what do I do then?
It is not uncommon for DIAC to issue employers with a Notice of Intention to Consider
Cancellation of their visa (NOICC) if they have detected some irregularity. Once the NOICC
is issued the visa holder has 28 days to find a new sponsor, obtain a new visa or leave
Australia. While such a scenario is rare, you should have a backup plan for such an
eventuality. Once you are given the notice period then you should immediately commence
your search for a new sponsor. If possible, your employer may keep you legally employed
beyond the notice period in your contract. 457 visa holders are usually the first to be let
go in a downturn.

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8. How long will my visa take to process?

Once you have accepted a position and
signed a contract, you will want to
quickly start on the logistics involved in
your move. This may involve submitting
your notice, selling your house and your
car, taking your children out of school,
etc. Processing times can vary depending
on your sponsors history, the size of
their business, and many other factors.
As a general guide, assuming your
application has been lodged with
decision-ready documents (e.g. police
clearances, medicals, skills assessments,
English tests, travel insurance etc), then
the processing time for a 457 Visa is
from one to four weeks. The standard
processing time for ENS or RSMS for low
risk countries is currently eight to twelve months, or decision-ready through a migration
agent, between four and six months. This timing can be critical to some of your decisions.
9. Will I need to pay school fees in Australia?
If you have school-aged children, you may need to factor in school fees. Currently this is
the case for NSW and ACT. This can be an annual cost of around AUD 5,000 in NSW or
AUD 10,000 in ACT per child per year. Some people do qualify for fee waivers in certain
circumstances, so it is best to do your research prior to leaving.
10. Australian policies, systems and cultures
If you have not worked in Australia before, then you will obviously find differences here
including the systems, processes and culture of your employer/sponsor, in the workplace
and amongst your workmates, as well as other day-to-day issues such as the rule of law,
taxation, etc. Most Australian employers will recognise that you may be unfamiliar with
many of these issues and will assist you to settle in and familiarise yourself with them.
Note: All of the above information is generic in nature and individual circumstances will
differ. If in doubt, always seek the services of a professional, registered migration agent.
Fred Molloy, Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 0853698)
Konnecting Australian Skilled Migration & Recruitment
Consultants
www.konnecting.com

Migration and relocation
Australia continues to be a popular destination for migrants looking to work in the mining
industry. The benefits of a stable economy, good wages and a great lifestyle continue to attract

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people from overseas. However there are many pitfalls waiting for the unsuspecting migrant
to Australia and it is critical that you read and digest all the information on the websites listed
below:
Konnecting: Skilled Migration & Recruitment Consultants
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
DIAC Skilled Migration Blog
Western Australia Skilled Migration Portal
Visas to Work and Live in Australia
AMMA Migration Services
Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
Approved Migration Agents
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visas
Job Outlook

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Jobs for Women in Australias Mining Industry

We should engage with and retain
the most talented teams. Although we
have made progress, we can still do
much more to attract and retain
women in our workforce
Terry Burgess,
Managing Director and CEO
Oz Minerals Limited
Note: Information provided in this section
is generally relevant for people of either
gender.
Women play an important role in
fulfilling current and forecast skills
shortages across the Australian mining, hydrocarbons, energy and construction industries.
And although the resources industry directly employs almost 300,000 people in mining, oil
and gas operations, as well as in allied and servicing sectors, just 15% of those workers are
women, compared to 46% across the general population.
These statistics on employment in the mining industry also indicate that women represent
27% of professional positions, 1.5% of technicians and trades workers, 6.6% of labourers and
6.9% of all machinery operators and drivers. Of the women employed under the Australian
Bureau of Statistics mining category, the vast majority - 69.5% - were employed in
administrative or clerical roles.
The Australian Governments National Resource Sector Employment Taskforce (NRSET)
report in 2010 highlighted that women often represent an untapped human resource pool
that can be unearthed in a labour market characterised by skills shortages and low
participation.
In 2012, three companies in the mining industry attained an Employer of Choice for Women
citation. They were: Alcoa World Alumina, Australia; ConocoPhillips Australia Pty Ltd; and
ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd.
Below, we outline areas where women can potentially add significant value to Australias
mining and resources industry.
Women in mining today
With every year that passes, more and more women are making their careers in the mining
industry. The catalyst has been the shortages of skilled mining labour and the Australian
mining boom, but womens growing presence in mining is also reflective of the changing face
of the modern workforce, with more and more women entering non-traditional roles.
Slowly, mining jobs have become more gender neutral and today there is almost no job that a
woman cannot do. Roles that were traditionally male-dominated are now often taken up by

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women, including truck drivers and drillers offsiders. Dump truck driving is quite well-suited
to women as their steady approach tends to cause less wear and tear on machinery.
Apart from filling labour gaps, enhancing the gender balance is also helping to bring about
improvements in mine site culture, a real plus for the industry.
Some positive changes for women in mining
Working in the mining industry is usually characterised by issues such as FIFO rosters, long
shifts, huge commuting distances, remote locations and demanding physical labour. These
unfriendly perceptions have, until quite recently, served to discourage women from
entering the industry, particularly if they come from a family environment. However, as
employers have to meet labour demand they have had to redress those perceptions and make
mining a much more women-friendly prospect.
Some of the changes being made to attract women to the industry are:
More flexible, parent-friendly work schedules
More comfortable and gender-inclusive workplaces
Improved pay rates for women (addressing gender pay gaps)
Improved maternity leave and child-care services
Family-friendly accommodation
Challenges for women in mining
Notwithstanding these improved and continually improving working conditions for women,
before making the decision to find a mining job, its important to be aware of the challenges of
working at a mine site. These challenges are not just for women - they are universal - and we
discuss them in other sections of this manual, but for the benefit of this section below are
some of the factors to consider:
Living Away From Home Being away from friends and family can put pressure on
relationships. Long hours and irregular shift rosters are often not conducive to a
functional family life, especially for mothers working away from home who will return
home to their second shift.
However, for single women with few family responsibilities and for women who are
prepared to tolerate such conditions, or for wives and mothers with supportive families
who are prepared to cope with the unusual work/life balance, the benefits of high
earnings, as well as the work flexibility on offer, can offset such challenges.
Long Working Days Almost no one works a traditional 40 hour week on the mines.
Most do 12 hour days, 7 days a week. This can be repetitive and exhausting if youre not
used to it. However, if you have a FIFO arrangement, the benefit can be regular weeks off
to be spent with friends and family.
Uncomfortable Conditions Mines are usually in remote, hot areas and working
conditions involve dirt, heat and flies which can become irritating and intense. The high
temperatures can be intolerable for some people.
Monotonous Work Each day can be the same with little variety. If you are a routine
person this may suit you but if you are someone who is easily bored this may not work for
you. Also, early shifts can mean starting at 4am followed by a long working day and 7pm
bedtimes.

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Remote Locations Often theres not another town in site for kilometres so theres
nowhere to go to get a break or a change of scenery. This can lead to a sense of cabin fever
for some people.
Alcohol Monitoring Shifts often begin with a safety brief or pre-start meeting, which
can include alcohol breath testing. Although there might be a bar or tavern on site,
workers must limit their alcohol intake in order to be fit for work according to health and
safety standards.
What mining jobs are available for women?
There are various roles across the industry that are available and occupied by women
including skilled and unskilled jobs such as
driving dump trucks and road trains, working
on drilling rigs, working as diesel mechanics
together with more traditional female
dominated roles such as cleaning and
catering/food preparation.
Mining training courses are non genderspecific and women are now much more likely
to be found undergoing training in preparation
for what have traditionally been maledominated roles.
There are also plenty of opportunities for
unskilled women to work in the mining
industry.
Skilled jobs for women in mining
Undergoing training and securing qualifications can often be the first step, especially for
women with no previous industry experience. These qualifications can include:
Science qualifications
Women with science degrees are in very high demand. Degrees in geology, geo-science,
surveying, engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, environment
management and social science are all highly desirable.
Business qualifications
A business degree, particularly in management, project management, accounting, HR or
occupational health and safety are all in demand.
IT qualifications
Tertiary or higher qualifications in database management, systems engineering, systems
support or software programming are in demand.
Trade-based qualifications
Electricians, welders, boilermakers and carpenters are all in demand.
Hard-hat qualifications
Women are now occupying more hard-hat roles than ever before, working as truck drivers,
dump truck operators, drillers, plant operators (loaders, bobcats, bulldozers, excavators,
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graders, scrapers and forklifts). Tertiary qualifications may not be required but appropriate
training and certification is essential.
Other qualifications
There are numerous mining jobs in WA that are open to people with qualifications in nonmining areas such as chefs, cleaners, medical staff, health and fitness and general office
support and administration.
Unskilled jobs for women in the mining industry
There are opportunities for unskilled women to secure mining jobs with no experience in the
mining industry. Those without skills may be required to undergo some general or specific
pre-employment training which could include safety inductions, first aid courses, general
health and safety training together with familiarisation of office and workplace protocols.
However, generally speaking, positions do not require specific education or training.
Some of these jobs are found in the areas of:
General Office Administration (reception, filing, word processing, data entry, office
support)
Catering and Food Preparation (cook, chefs assistant, table service, kitchen
assistant, counter-hand)
Cleaning Jobs (cleaning buildings, kitchens, garbage processing, floor polishing,
janitor, valet)
Transport & Driving Jobs (field work, data gathering)
Entry-level roles such as these are good stepping stones and starting points for careers in the
mining industry. Coupled with appropriate extra-curricular mining training and education,
women (and men for that matter) can often go on to secure senior, well-paid and long-term
mining jobs.
In short, there are plenty of opportunities for women in the mining industry as jobs are in
large supply. If you are female and interested, investigate job prospects as the industry more
than likely needs you. Its not work that suits everyone however, and there are certain
conditions to be aware of. If you have a family it can be a successful working arrangement
with the right support in place around you.
Regardless of your own situation, mining companies are constantly finding new ways to
attract women to their workforce as well as developing strategies to better attract and engage
women.
Women in mining
Women play a very important role in the Australian mining, hydrocarbons, energy and
construction industries. With just 15% of workers in Australian mining being women, there
are plenty of opportunities for career-minded women to make an increasingly valuable
contribution to the industry. Familiarise yourself with the information below to give yourself
the best chance of success in your mining career:
Australian Women in Resources Alliance
page 77
Women in Mining in Western Australia

Resource Industry Calling for Women
Women in Mining Network
Case Study: Heather Parry
Thiess: Women in Hard Hats
WESTjobs: Women in Mining in Western Australia

page 78
Risks of Working in the Mining Industry

Your personal safety
Mining companies take safety very,
very seriously. Every day, managers
and teams meet to discuss safety. They
bring observations from the mine site
but also they discuss personal
observations like seeing someone
jumping a red at a traffic light. These
everyday occurrences are included in
safety reviews and assessments as to
whether theres a need to mitigate
similar risks in the work place. We kid
you not!
Working underground - by its very
nature - is fraught with danger, so even
the most stringent safety standards can have loopholes and mining accidents do happen. Open
cut mines, such as Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, also guard against different types of risk
when compared to underground mines, such as Olympic Dam in South Australia.
Safety activity adopted by most of the big, medium and even small miners adheres to the
mining work health and safety regulations of the Australian states within which they operate.
New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia have separate regulations. The Safe
Work Australia website carries useful information and the organisation is cooperating with
the National Mine Safety Framework (NMSF) steering group to influence regulations in each
jurisdiction. Read Safe Work Australias mining page.
Your ongoing health while working in the mining industry
Health and safety management efforts in
mining have tended to focus on the safety
aspects, i.e. how an unguarded drive motor
on a conveyor, unsupported roof in a
development heading or an unprotected
opening on a platform could lead to loss of
limb or chemical burn.
If you sustain an injury while at work, most
large mining companies will arrange your
medical evacuation using organisations that
manage your healthcare needs and help you
return to work as quickly as possible
through an injury management plan.
However, the outcomes of longer-term
health hazards to workers may not be
realised until it is too late. The effects are
page 79
not often visible. The same vigour and effort that has always been dedicated to the pursuit
and management of safety hazards is now being devoted to managing health hazards in
mining.
For example, in Queensland, the Mining Health Improvement and Awareness Committee
(HIAC) focuses its efforts on health hazards in the mining industry. They provide a forum to
monitor emerging health issues and to discuss those that are not always clearly understood.
Equally, in New South Wales, the Health Management Advisory Committee has begun to
provide advice on the regulation of health issues in the NSW mining industry.
The identified health risks that are high priority exposures and related disorders are:
Noise causing noise-induced hearing loss
Vibration causing musculoskeletal disorders
Diesel exhaust fumes leading to respiratory disease
Hazardous substance exposure causing dermatitis
Ergonomic stressors causing musculoskeletal conditions
Ergonomic stressors causing back disorders
Ergonomic stressors causing fatigue and related disorders
Psychosocial hazards causing mental disorders
Ultraviolet radiation and skin disease.
Dust
Drugs & alcohol
Most mining companies have zero tolerance approach to alcohol and drugs in the
workplace, which is usually contained in the alcohol and drugs policy document as part of
your work contract. This document sets out how to address safety and health risks arising
from people impaired by alcohol and drugs to help reduce the risks to all people involved.
These policies are usually adopted as part of a strategy, to reflect the safety and health needs
of each workplace.
A range of factors, both at the workplace and in people's personal lives impact on the ability to
work safely. The use of alcohol and/or other drugs is one of them.
Alcohol and drug usage in the mining industry becomes a serious occupational safety and
health issue if a worker's ability to exercise judgment, coordination, motor control,
concentration and alertness at the workplace is impaired, leading to increased risk of injury
or incidents to themselves or others.
Co-workers too may be placed in difficult situations, perhaps expected to cover unsafe work
practices or having to report a co-worker. In such situations, workers must take all reasonable
steps to protect their own safety and health and not endanger the safety and health of others
at the workplace. The consumption of alcohol and drugs while at work is unacceptable, except
in relation to any authorised and responsible use of alcohol at workplace social functions.
Workers should always present themselves for work capable of performing their work duties
safely.

page 80
For employers, alcohol and other drugs can cause a range of problems. In some cases, their
use may lead to injury, loss of life or damage to plant or equipment. Employers have a legal
duty of care obligation to ensure that, as far as practicable, workers are not exposed to
hazards and risks that could arise from workers being impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs
and, where they may arise, address them through a systematic risk management process.
The strategy adopted by a workplace must ensure workplace hazards and risks associated
with the use of alcohol and other drugs are eliminated or reduced, as far as practicable. This
may include a range of initiatives to deal with the particular hazards and risks specific to a
mine site.
Safety in Australias mining industry
Mining companies take safety extremely seriously. Every day, managers and teams meet to
discuss safety. Safety controls and activity adopted by most of the miners adheres to the
mining work health and safety regulations of the Australian states within which they operate.
Each Australian state can have different rules and regulations, so its best to be familiar with
them before you start out:
Safe Work Australia
Risk Management Mining Course
Top 5 Safety Risks in Mining
Mining Safety & Health Western Australia
Mine Safety New South Wales
Mine Safety - Queensland
Mine Safety South Australia
Mine Safety Northern Territory
Mine Safety - Tasmania
Mine Safety Institute of Australia
National Mine Safety Framework
Australasian Mine Safety Journal

page 81
Learning the Language

Glossary of mining terms
The following list of common-usage mining terms may be helpful when researching the
mining industry. And although you wont be expected to diligently study or memorise them,
they could assist you in your application or interview situations, to demonstrate your
initiative and keenness and to show a potential employer that you have done your research.
ADIT A horizontal opening or passage in the side of a hill for the purpose of exploring or
otherwise accessing a mineral deposit
AGITATION - In metallurgy, the act or state of being stirred or shaken mechanically,
sometimes accomplished by the introduction of compressed air
ALLOY - A compound of two or more metals, usually produced by fusion.
ANODE - A rectangular metal plate with positive charge cast in a shape suitable for refining by
the electrolytic process
APEX - The top or terminal edge of a vein on the surface or its nearest point to the surface.
ASSAY - A chemical test by wet or fire methods performed on a rock sample to determine the
amount of valuable metal contained
AUTOGENOUS GRINDING - The process of grinding ore with ore in a rotating cylindrical mill
using large pieces of ore instead of steel rods or balls.
BACKSTOPE - The initial lift or slice when commencing to stope or mine from a drift.
BALL MILL - A steel cylinder containing about 40% volume of steel balls used to grind
ore. The mill is rotated causing the balls to cascade and grind the ore.
BASE METAL - A metal inferior in value to gold and silver, usually used to describe metals
such as copper, lead, etc.
BATTER The slope of high ground
BEDROCK - Solid rock forming the earths crust, frequently covered by overburden or water
BENEFICATION - The concentrating or enriching of the valuable minerals in an ore.
BERMS and RILL Continuous method of dirt to protect mobile plant and machinery from
dropping off an edge and to maintain safety of mine workers
BIBO Bus In/Bus Out getting workers to and from a mine site
BIO-LEACHING - A processing method that uses bacteria to oxidize refractory sulphide ore to
make it amenable to normal oxide ore processing techniques.
BLAST HOLE - A hole drilled for purposes of blasting rather than for exploration or geological
information.
BLOCK CAVING - An inexpensive method of underground mining in which large blocks or ore
are undercut, causing the ore to break or cave under its own weight
BOND - An agreement to pay a certain amount of interest over a given period of time. A bond
may be required to ensure reclamation of a mine site
BREAST - A working face, usually restricted to a stope
BULLION - Metal formed into bars or ingots or other un-coined forms
BUND mound of earth
CALCINE - Concentrate ready for smelting where the sulphur has been driven off by oxidation
CARBON-IN-COLUMN (CIC) - A method of recovering gold and silver from pregnant solution
from the heap leaching process by adsorption of the precious metals onto fine carbon
suspended by up-flow of solution through a tank.

page 82
CARBON-IN-LEACH (CIL) - A method of recovering gold and silver from fine ground ore by
simultaneous dissolution and adsorption of the precious metals onto fine carbon in an
agitated tank of ore solids/solution slurry. The carbon flows counter currently to the head of
the leaching circuit.
CARBON-IN-PULP (CIP) - A method of recovering gold and silver from fine ground ore by
adsorption of the precious metals onto fine carbon in an agitated tank of ore solids/solution
slurry. This recovery step in the process follows the leaching process, which is done in
similarly agitated tanks, but without contained carbon.
CATHODE - A rectangular plate of metal produced by electrolytic refining, which is melted
into commercial shapes such as ingots.
CHANGE HOUSE - A building or room where miners change into working clothes; also known
as a dry house.
CHUTE - An inclined opening usually made of timber and equipped with a gate, through which
ore is drawn from a stope into mine cars.
CLEANSKINS Employees who have not yet worked on a mine-site
COLLAR - The term applied to the timbering or concrete around the mouth of a shaft; also
used to describe the top of a drill hole.
COMPLEX ORE - An ore containing a number of minerals of economic value. The term implies
that there may be metallurgical difficulties in liberating and separating the valuable minerals.
CONCENTRATE - A product containing the valuable metal and from which most of the waste
material in the ore has been removed.
CORE - The long cylinder of rock, 2-3cm or more in diameter that is recovered by drilling.
CORE BARREL - That part of a string of tools in diamond drilling in which the core specimen
collects.
COWS A safety acronym - Can you hear me; Open your eyes; Whats your name; Squeeze my
hand
CRIB ROOM - The room where miners eat (from the word cribbage when miners would
often play the card game cribbage)
CROSSCUT - A horizontal opening driven across the course of a vein or structure, or in
general across the strike of the rock formation; a connection from a shaft to an ore structure
CRUSHER - A machine for crushing rock, such as gyratory crusher, jaw crusher, stamp mill,
etc.
CYANIDATION - A method of extracting exposed gold or silver grains from crushed or ground
ore by dissolving it in a weak cyanide solution. This may be carried out in agitated tanks in a
mill or on ore heaps outside.
DEWATERING - The process of separating solids from solution by sedimentation in tanks
called thickeners or by filtering the solution through filter cloth in filters
DIAMOND DRILL - A rotary type of rock drill in which the cutting is done by abrasion rather
than percussion
DIGGER An Excavator
DILUTION - Waste low-grade rock which has been removed along with the ore in the mining
process
DIP - The angle at which a vein, structure or rock bed is inclined from the horizontal
DIP NEEDLE - A compass whose needle is mounted so as to swing in a vertical plane, used for
determining the magnetic attraction of rocks
DONGA A standalone building used as living quarters for miners
DRAG FOLD - Rock that has been folded or bent back on itself

page 83
DRIFT (DRIVE) - A horizontal passage underground that follows along the length of a vein or
rock formation as opposed to a crosscut which crosses the rock formation.
DRIFTER - A rock drill used for boring horizontal holes for blasting
DRY HOUSE - A building where miners change their working clothes
DUMP - A pile or heap of rock or ore on the surface
ERT Emergency Response Team
EXPLORATION - The prospecting, diamond drilling and other work involved in searching for
ore
FACE - As applied to a drift, crosscut or stope, is the end in which work is progressing
FIFO Fly In/Fly Out getting workers to and from a mine site
FILTER PRESS - A pressure filter used to remove solids from a fine solids feed slurry. The
solids sludge collected is periodically removed from the filter by opening the filter plates,
scraping off the solids and replacing the plates with new filter material
FISSURE - An extensive crack, break or fracture in rocks
FLOTATION - A milling process where some mineral particles are induced to become
attached to bubbles and float, while others sink. This separates valuable minerals from
worthless ones
FLOWSHEET - The step-by-step sequence of operations by which ore is treated in a milling,
concentrated, or smelting process
FOOTWALL - The wall or rock on the underside of a vein or ore structure
FREE MILLING - Ores of gold or silver from which the precious metals can be recovered by
concentrating methods without resort to roasting or chemical treatment
GANGUE - The worthless minerals associated with valuable minerals in ore deposit
GEOLOGY - The science concerned with the study of the rocks, which compose the earth
GROUTING - The process of sealing off a water flow in rocks by forcing thin cement slurry, or
other chemicals into the crevices; usually done through a diamond drill hole
GRUBSTAKE - Finances or supplies of food, etc, supplied to a prospector on promise of a
share in any discoveries he makes.
GUIDES - The timber along the sides of a shaft for the purpose of steadying, or guiding, the
cage or conveyance
HANGING WALL- The wall or rock on the upper or topside of vein or ore deposit
HEAP LEACH - A mineral processing method involving the crushing and stacking of ore on an
impermeable liner upon which leach solutions are sprayed to dissolve metals such as gold and
copper
HIGH GRADE - Selective mining of the best ore in a deposit (Rich ore)
HIGH WALL - The high side of a mine or pit
HOIST - The machine used for raising and lowering the cage or other conveyance in a shaft
HOST ROCK - The rock containing an ore deposit
HYDRAULIC - A common method of mining in which water under pressure is used to cut
away banks of gold-bearing gravels or overburden.
JAW CRUSHER - A machine in which the rock is broken by the action of moving steel plates or
jaws
JHA - Job Hazard Assessment

page 84
JIG - An apparatus used in milling to concentrate ore on a screen submerged in water, either
by a reciprocating motion of the screen or by the pulsation of water through it
JSA - Job Safety Analysis
JSEA Job Safety & Environment Analysis
LAGGING - Planks or small timbers placed along the roof of a stope or drift to prevent rocks
from falling, rather than to support the main weight of the overlying rocks
LAUNDER - A chute or trough for conveying pulp, water or powered ore in the milling process
LODE - A mineral deposit in solid rock
LV Light vehicle
MILL - A plant in which ore is treated to recover valuable metals, or a revolving drum for the
fine grinding of ores in preparation for treatment
MILL HEADS - The average grade of ore fed into a mill
MILLING ORE - Ore that contains sufficient valuable mineral to be treated by milling process
MINES INSPECTORATE - The government body in charge of mining.
MONITOR - An apparatus fitted with a nozzle and used to direct water under high pressure in
order to remove overburden or to break down gold-bearing gravels in order to sluice them.
MOPS Mine Operating Procedures
MOTHERLODE - The starting place or origin of a metal. A vein containing the original metal.
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
NATIVE METAL - A metal occurring in nature in pure form, not combined with other
elements
NUGGET - A significant piece of precious metal
ORE - A mixture of ore minerals and gangue from which at least one of the metals can be
extracted at a profit
ORE-BEARING - Rock that has some type of ore present in its composition
OVERBURDEN - The rock or soil that lies above an ore body and is removed during mining
PAN - To wash gravel or rock that has been ground in a pan to separate gold
PEBBLE MILL - A grinding mill similar in construction and action to a ball mill, but in which
the charge is made up of hard pebbles in place of the more conventional steel balls
PLACER - An alluvial deposit of sand and gravel containing valuable minerals such as gold
PLANT - A group of buildings with equipment in which a process or function is carried out.
Can include warehouses, milling equipment, hoisting equipment, compressors, repair shops
and offices
PORTAL - The surface entrance to a tunnel or adit
POCKETS - These are cavities in the earth, filled with ore, or a rich deposit or gold
PROSPECT - A mining property, the value of which has not been proved by exploration
PULP - A name for gold in the mining process
PYRITE - Hard, heavy, shiny, yellow mineral, being a sulphide of iron. Sometimes called fools
gold.
RAISE - A vertical or inclined underground working that has been excavated from the bottom
upward
RAKE - The trend or an ore body along the direction of its strike

page 85
REAMING SHELL - A string of rods used in drilling, set with diamonds, and placed between
the bit and the core barrel to maintain the gauge of the hole
ROCKBOLTING - The act of consolidating roof strata by means of anchoring and tensioning
steel bolts in holes especially drilled for the purpose
ROCK BURST - The sudden failure of walls or pillars in a mine caused by the weight of
pressure of the surrounding rocks, and accompanied by a violent release of energy
ROD MILL - A rotating cylindrical mill, which employs steel rods as a grinding medium
SAMPLE - A small portion of rock or mineral deposit, usually taken for the purpose of being
assayed to determine possible content of valuable elements
SHAFT - A vertical or inclined excavation for the purpose of opening and servicing a mine. It is
usually equipped with a hoist at the top, which lowers and raises a conveyance for handling
men and material
SHAKER SCREEN - A screen for filtering out impurities in milling of gold
SKIP - A self-dumping type of bucket used in a shaft for hoisting ore or rock
SQUARE SET - A set of timbers used for support in underground mining, consisting of cap, girt
and post
SLAM A safety acronym - Stop, Look, Assess and Manage
SMELTING FURNACE - A furnace used to melt concentrated valuable metals and minerals and
upgrade them by slagging off gangue (worthless) minerals
STATION - An enlargement of a shaft made of the level horizon used primarily for the storage
and handling of equipment
STOCKPILE - Broken ore accumulated in a heap on the surface, pending treatment or
shipment
STOPE - An excavation in a mine from which ore is being or has been extracted
SUMP - An excavation underground for the purpose of catching or storing water; the bottom
of a shaft is commonly used for this purpose
TAILINGS - Material rejected from a mill after the recoverable valuable minerals have been
extracted
TOE The bottom of the high wall
TRAM An engine to haul cars of ore or waste inside a mine
TUBE MILL - A piece of milling equipment consisting of a revolving cylinder with steel rods or
balls into which crushed ore is fed for fine grinding
TUNNEL - A horizontal underground passage that is open at both ends; the term is loosely
applied in many cases to an adit, which is open at only one end
VEIN - A fissure, fault or crack in a rock filled by minerals that have travelled upwards from
some deep source
WASTE - Barren rock or mineralised material that is too low in grade to be economically
processed
WEDGE - Placing a wedge at some point in a drill hole to deflect a diamond bit in another
direction
ZINC DUST - Fine zinc metal used to precipitate gold and silver from a solution

page 86
More Useful Links and Contacts

Major mining projects in Australia Completed & advanced
Mining in Australia has the highest capital expenditure, the highest average wages and
salaries per employee and the highest sales and service income per person employed, of any
industry in the country. There are many mining projects either completed, under way, or still
on the drawing board, right across Australia. Here youll find details from the government
about these projects:
Mining Industry Major Projects (Source - Australian Government)
Australia Operating Mine Map for Major Projects (Source Australia Mining)
List of Current Mining Projects in Australia (Source - Australian Government)
Mining contractors in Australia
Suppliers and contractors to Australias mining industry, rather than the mining companies
themselves, are often the ones with the greatest demand for workers. In fact some mining
companies will outsource their entire operations to mining contractors Here youll find a
comprehensive list of the major mining contractors and therefore employers in Australias
mining industry:
Australian Contract Mining
Australian Drilling Industry Association
Barminco Underground Mining & Consultants
Boart Longyear
Boom Logistics
Brierty Contractors
Cape Crushing & Earthmoving Equipment
Caterpillar
CDE Capital
Central Earthmoving
Clough
Convatech
Downer EDI
Drillwest
ESS Support Services
Extraman
Fluor Australia
Golding Contractors
GWS

page 87
Hahn Electrical Contracting

John Davidson & Associates
John Holland
Komatsu
Legra
Leighton Contractors
Maptek
McMahons Contracting
Mine Services Victoria (MSV)
Minepower
Mining People International
Mitchell Drilling
Morris Corporation
NRW Contractors
Orion WA
Pybar Mining & Civil Contractors
RCR Tomlinson
Red Dirt Personnel Group
Silcar
Skilled
Spotless
The Swann Group
Thiess
Titan Recruitment
Transfield Services
Tutt Bryant Crane Hire
UME
United Group Limited
WesTrac
William Adams
Wilson Mining Services
Workpac
Mining companies in Australia
Here youll find an alphabetical list of the major mining companies operating in Australia. Not
all mining companies have projects operating at all times, but familiarising yourself with the
page 88
companies, their operations and their cultures, will certainly help you in your quest for a job
in Australias mining industry.
Alliance Resources Limited
Anglo Coal Australia Pty Ltd
AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited
Astron Limited
Barrick Gold Of Australia Limited
Bendigo Mining Limited
BHP Billiton Limited
Castlemaine Goldfields Limited
Dart Mining NL
Downer EDI Mining Pty Ltd
Exxaro Australia Sands Pty Ltd
Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc
GBM Resources Limited
Goldstar Resources NL
Indophil Resources NL
International Power Hazelwood
Lihir Gold Limited
Loy Yang Power Management Pty Ltd
Minara Resources Ltd
Newcrest Mining Limited
Newmont Australia Limited
Northgate Australian Ventures Pty Ltd
OZ Minerals
Paladin Resources Ltd
Peabody Energy
Range River Gold Ltd
Reedy Lagoon Corporation Ltd
Rio Tinto
St Barbara Limited
Thiess Pty Ltd
TRUenergy Yallourn Pty Ltd
Xstrata Plc
Zeehan Zinc Limited
page 89
Mining/resources industry organisations & associations in Australia

Below is an alphabetical list of the major organisations that represent participants
exploration companies, project owners/operators and contractors - in Australias mining, oil
and gas industries. Although they may not be a direct source of employment, they will help
you to gain a better understanding of the way Australias mining industry operates.
Association of Mining & Exploration Companies
Austmine
Australian Aluminium Council
Australian Coal Association
Australian Coal Preparation Society
Australian Drilling Industry Association
Australian Industry Group
Australian Institute of Geoscientists
Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association
Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Australian Student Mineral Venture
Australian Uranium Association
Careers Advice Australia
Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia
CSIRO
Engineers Australia
Geoscience Australia
Minerals Council of Australia
New South Wales Minerals Council
Northern Territory Resources Council
Professions Australia
Queensland Resources Council
Skills DMC
Skills One
South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy
Tasmanian Minerals Council

page 90
General links
These general links have been included to provide you with some supplementary information
that may be of interest to you in your search for a job in Australias mining industry.
Mining in Australia - Wikipedia
The Australian Mining Story
Australian Mining Industry News
Australian Mines Atlas
Mining & Resources Investment Opportunities
The Kalgoorlie SuperPit
Australian Mine Sites A-Z
Mining Monthly Magazine
Minerals Council of Australia
Mining Reference
Now, your future is in your hands!
Good luck with your mining career
Youve now come to the end of your Guide but hopefully to the beginning of your new mining
career. We trust that you now have a much clearer picture of what is involved in finding a job
and working in Australias mining industry.
WESTjobs objective in putting your Guide together was simply this to give you every
opportunity to know as much as possible about how Australias mining industry works, and to
find out just what it takes to find a job and then to work in that industry.
Weve done our part now the rest is up to you!
Good luck from the WESTjobs Team.
WESTjobs.com.au
Please note: WESTjobs is not a registered recruiter, nor an employer, and so cannot directly assist
you to directly find a job in the Australian mining industry. "The Definitive Guide to Working in
Australia's Mining Industry" has been prepared to provide you with advice, tips, information and
contacts to help you reach your goals and increase your chances of finding work in the Australian
mining industry. Once you have read your Guide, you will need to apply what you have learnt in
your personal search for work. WESTjobs cannot assist you further to find a job in the Australian
mining industry other than by searching on our website.
This document contains a lot of links and at time of publication they were accurate, but we cannot
guarantee that the content we link to will always work or has not been changed by 3 rd party
providers. We are happy to update if notified.

page 91

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Your Mining Guide ...................................................................................................................................... 7

Mechanical/metal trades jobs ................................................................................................ 33

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Skilled Independent Visa (189) ............................................................................................. 65

Mining companies in Australia ........................................................................................................................... 88

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Your Mining Guide

The Team at WESTjobs

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Telling employers and recruiters, I am prepared to do anything.

Not doing any research.

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Submitting a poorly constructed, non mining-focused resume.

Scattering your resume everywhere.

Ignoring tools that are readily available to you.

Ignoring industry suppliers and contractors.

The 7 tips for finding a job in mining

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Copper and gold at Mount Morgan near Rockhampton in Queensland;

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

8. Skills shortages here to stay

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Olympic Dam in South Australia - believed to

Information supplied by Wikipedia

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Many jobs in mining require minimum or mandatory levels of experience or qualifications.

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Western Australia is a state occupying the entire western third of

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Queensland is the second-largest and third most populous state in

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

most populous state.

New South Wales surrounds the whole of the Australian Capital

Mining in New South Wales

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Northern Territory (NT)

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Types of Mining Jobs

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Semi-skilled mining jobs

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Skilled mining jobs

Part time/casual/gap year jobs

Engineering: Mining, Geotechnical, Electrical and Mechanical

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Useful links and contacts

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Tertiary educational institutions mining links

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

Finding a Job in Mining

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry

WESTjobs | The Definitive Guide to Working in Australias Mining Industry