Working in the Australian mining and resources industry is an attractive proposition for many jobseekers. In Australia the resources industry refers to all exploration, mining and production activities associated with minerals in the mining, oil and gas (or petrochemical) industries, including construction.

Stories abound of the great money and interesting opportunities available to suitable candidates with the right skills and attitude. While this is certainly true, the pathway to obtaining a role in this sector is by no means straightforward and making a start can be daunting.

As one of Australasia's largest providers of human resources solutions, Chandler Macleod has a proven track record of unleashing potential in people and companies. We work with some of the largest and highly regarded projects in Australia and have connected thousands of mining and energy professionals with on-site, operational, FIFO and corporate positions.

With a safety record including an LTIFR of less than 1.1 per million man hours, you can work across the ditch and get home safe.

Assisting our mining and energy clients with their sourcing needs from project commission through to shut down, Chandler Macleod Mining and Energy is the best choice when registering your interest in temporary, contract, limited tenure and permanent roles in this booming industry.

But it's not only the mining companies that we work with - Chandler Macleod Mining and Energy also provides quality recruitment and staffing solutions to key organisations supplying to the industry, such as infrastructure, rail, engineering and heavy industrial manufacturing.

Whether you're willing to relocate to a Drive-In-Drive-Out mining region, want to kick-start your mining career from a metro location or remain in your current locations on a Fly-In-Fly-Out roster, Chandler Macleod Mining and Energy is your ideal career partner.

Current Mining, Oil and Gas Opportunities

So you think you can work in mining?

Working in the mining and resources industry is an attractive proposition for many Australian jobseekers. Stories abound of the great money available and the range of opportunities. But just how easy is it to secure a career in this industry? And what’s it really like to work on a mine site?

Iain Langridge, Group General Manager and Brian Kelsey, General Manager WA & SA – both of Chandler Macleod’s specialist Mining and Energy division, talk about the opportunities and realities of working in this booming industry.

Listen to Podcast:

How can I determine the BestFit role for me?

At Chandler Macleod, our objective is to find the 'BestFit' candidate for the position, but also for an organisation's culture, management style and team environment; thereby increasing not only your ability to succeed in your role, but also the average level of performance across the organisation.

When determining the BestFit role for you, it's important to consider the following:

• Your interests. What is it that you enjoy doing, and what are you good at?
• Your attitude. Can you demonstrate a commitment to safe work practices and have a sound level of numeracy and literacy, particularly with regard to reading and interpreting safety and work instruction?
• Your existing skills and capacity to a resource sector employer. Equally important is your commitment to obtain qualifications and experience required for your preferred role. Are you prepared to do an apprenticeship for a number of years or to obtain the necessary tickets and/or licences required in your own time and at your expense? What existing skills do you have that would be transferable?
• Your personal and family life and how it will be impacted if you're required to work and/or live in remote locations, often in extreme temperatures. Do FIFO operations suit your lifestyle? Are you prepared to relocate? Are you prepared to be away for family events, including Christmas?

How do I fit with the mining industry?

All candidates will need to satisfy basic requirements such as health, safety checks, generally a driver's license, sound literacy and numeracy and basic mechanical aptitude. Due to the high interest in the sector transferable skills will be highly desirable such as basic computer literacy, ability to do shift work, team work and an appropriate level of physical fitness.

Typically candidates can be categorised into five separate skill levels when working in the mining industry. Identifying where you fit, will help improve your chances at securing an opportunity by understanding what the next steps are:

• Semi-skilled with no experience: Commonly referred to as 'greenskins' or 'cleanskins' by the industry, these levels may have a relevant entry level qualification, ticket or can demonstrate an aptitude for the work. Typically they may also have experience from another sector. Roles might include labourer, storeperson, maintenance worker, trades assistant or field assistant.
  
• Semi-skilled with experience: These form the majority of the workforce in the resources sector and include operators, drillers, mobile/fixed/processing plant operators, drivers, field operators, operators underground, scaffolders or shot firers.
• Skilled trades with no experience: Generally these will have a formal trade via an apprenticeship/traineeship system with a qualification through VET/TAFE or could have been an experienced semi-skilled operator with five plus years. Their trade/experience will be in another sector. Typical roles include auto-electrician, fitters (diesel, fixed plant), machinists, mobile plant operators, crane drivers.
• Skilled trades with experience: As above with relevant resources or associated sector experience.
• Technical & Supervisors: Will have formal qualification and/or on the job training and extensive experience. These roles include specialists/supervisors such as construction estimator, field operators, quarry foreman, shift supervisors, production foreman, and maintenance planner.

If you have previous experience working in the mines - Chandler Macleod always have multiple opportunities in the following areas: