Mining

This image shows 51% of jobs are regional. 6% of workers are aged 15 to 24 years. 1% of workers are self-employed.

24% of workers hold a bachelor degree or higher. 43% of workers hold a certificate 3 or higher qualification. 2% of workers hold an other qualification. 31% of workers do not hold a post-school qualification.

Mining is an important industry in terms of its export revenue, but it is a relatively small employing industry (accounting for around 2% of Australian jobs).

Employment is largely concentrated in Western Australia and Queensland, and the majority of jobs are located in regional areas. Workers are often expected to travel for work, with fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) arrangements relatively common.

Top Employing Occupations

Occupation
Drillers, Miners and Shot Firers
Metal Fitters and Machinists
Truck Drivers
Other Building and Engineering Technicians
Electricians
Production Managers
Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers
Mining Engineers
Other Stationary Plant Operators
Earthmoving Plant Operators
Accountants
Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists
Contract, Program and Project Administrators
Other Construction and Mining Labourers
Purchasing and Supply Logistics Clerks
Storepersons
Structural Steel Construction Workers
Motor Mechanics
Human Resource Managers
Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals

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Post-school qualifications are often required to work in Mining. Around 40% of workers hold a certificate III or higher vocational qualification, and 24% possess a bachelor degree or higher. One third of workers are Machinery Operators and Drivers, 26% are Technicians and Trades Workers and 18% are Professionals.

Sources: ABS, Labour Force (seasonally adjusted and annual averages of original data); ABS, Characteristics of Employment; ABS, Education and Work; Australia Government Department of Agriculture, ABARES farm survey results 2018, September 2019.