Licensing
Explosives handling and shotfirer licences are issued by state and territory regulators
Source: Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Drill and Blast Operator in Australia
To hire a drill and blast operator, confirm the explosives licence that the work needs in the state, separate drilling from shotfiring in the brief and set the roster, medical and testing requirements. CrossNation recruits drill and blast operators for employers across Australia. The fee is 12% of the annual salary, charged only on a successful placement.
By CrossNation Editorial Team. Sources checked 6 October 2026.
12% of annual salary
Charged only when a placement succeeds. No placement, no fee.
90-day placement guarantee
See our terms.
Official data
Key facts from official sources
Regulator in Queensland
Resources Safety and Health Queensland
Source: Resources Safety and Health Queensland (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Regulator in Western Australia
WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Source: WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Modern award
Mining Industry Award [MA000011], where an award applies; many crews use agreements
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
Which licences does the role need?
Explosives are licensed by each state and territory, and the licence types for handling, using and firing explosives, and their background check requirements, differ by jurisdiction. A licence from one state is not automatically valid in another. Ask for the licence number and class and verify it with the regulator where the blast takes place, and record the check. Drill operators may not need an explosives licence but need the site induction, medical and testing. Never allow explosives work to start before the licence is confirmed.
How should you divide drilling and blasting in the brief?
Drill operators position rigs and drill holes to the design, while shotfirers and blast crew members load and fire. State which you need, the rig makes, hole sizes, the detonation system, the type of site and the crew structure. Specify whether the person is expected to design patterns or only work to a supplied design. Mention weather exposure, dust and noise, and the safety procedures around exclusion zones. Candidates with the right rig and system experience will respond to a specific brief.
What are typical conditions, and which award applies?
Many crews work for specialist contractors on FIFO or DIDO rosters with long shifts and camp accommodation. Pay is often set by a contractor's enterprise agreement, and some roles fall under the Mining Industry Award [MA000011]. Confirm which applies and spell out the roster, travel, accommodation and allowance terms in writing. We do not publish pay figures here. Set the classification from the duties and cost the role using the Fair Work Pay Calculator, and tell candidates about the medical and drug and alcohol testing before they travel.
What should a drill and blast crew induction include?
Cover the blast design process, exclusion zones, communication and sign-off, misfire procedures, explosives storage and transport rules and the licence conditions each person works under. Explain how holes are recorded and reconciled and who authorises firing. Supervise new starters closely, with clear limits on tasks until competence is confirmed. Make the roster, accommodation and medical testing arrangements clear before travel. Safety on a blast depends on everyone following procedure, so the induction should be practical and recorded.
Before you brief a recruiter: drill and blast operator checklist
Checklist
- Verify the explosives licence class and number with the state regulator
- Separate drilling duties from shotfiring duties in the brief
- List rig makes, hole sizes and detonation systems
- Set the induction, medical and testing sequence
- State roster, travel and accommodation terms
- Confirm the agreement or award and classification
Tell us the role, location and start date
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does my explosives licence carry across states?
Not automatically. Recognition depends on the regulator, so check before the person works on your site.
Can a driller fire a blast?
Only if the person holds the correct explosives licence. Drilling and firing are separate tasks.
Do quarries hire drill and blast crews?
Yes. Quarries and civil excavation projects also use blasting. Describe the site in the brief.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a drill and blast operator?
The fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, charged only when a placement succeeds, and placements carry a 90-day placement guarantee. There is no charge to send a brief. CrossNation recruits drill and blast operators for employers across Australia, and you can send the role, location and start date through the employer enquiry form.
Can I recruit an overseas drill and blast operator through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Explosives licensing and background checks apply regardless of where the person was recruited, and they are separate from any visa. The employer holds or obtains its own approval, and CrossNation cannot promise a visa, an approval or a job. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.
What should I verify before I offer a drill and blast operator the job?
Handling, using and firing explosives needs the correct state licence. Licence types and checks differ by jurisdiction. For a drill and blast operator, the award that commonly applies is the Mining Industry Award (MA000011), but coverage depends on your industry and the person's duties, so confirm it with the Fair Work Ombudsman before you set the offer. Keep a copy of any licence, registration or check you sight for your drill and blast operator, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.