Licence
No national licence; each site sets inductions, medicals and testing. Resources Safety and Health Queensland regulates Queensland sites
Source: Resources Safety and Health Queensland (retrieved 6 October 2026)
Employer guide
Hire a Mining Operator in Australia
To hire a mining operator, define the machines and site, set the medical, induction and testing requirements, and spell out the roster and accommodation before briefing a recruiter. CrossNation recruits mining 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 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]; Black Coal Mining Industry Award [MA000052] in coal
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: List of awards (retrieved 6 October 2026)
What you need to know
What should the operator brief describe?
Operators are matched on machines and sites. List the equipment makes and sizes: haul trucks, excavators, dozers, graders or processing plant, whether the mine is open cut or underground, the commodity and the shift pattern including nights. State the experience you require, how many hours on similar plant and whether you train entry-level operators. Describe the camp, village or town accommodation, the roster and the flight or drive arrangement. The more detail you give, the easier it is for a recruiter to find people who want exactly this.
Which safety and medical requirements apply?
There is no single national mining ticket, so your own site induction, fitness for work medical and drug and alcohol testing form the entry standard, within the rules of the state mining regulator, for example Resources Safety and Health Queensland or the Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. Decide which tickets are required, such as elevated work platform or confined space, and which can be gained on site. Put the medical and testing process into the offer letter so candidates know the sequence. Keep records of the inductions each person completes.
How do rosters and awards work?
FIFO and DIDO rosters mean a block of days on site and a block off. Put the roster cycle, shift length, flights or pick-up, whether travel time is paid and the camp conditions in writing. Many operators are covered by the Mining Industry Award [MA000011], the Black Coal Mining Industry Award [MA000052] in coal or a site enterprise agreement that sets its own rates and allowances. We do not publish pay figures here. Confirm the instrument and classification and cost the role with the Fair Work Pay Calculator.
How do you prepare new operators for site life?
Set expectations before travel: the roster, flight or drive arrangements, camp standards, the medical and testing steps and the induction schedule. On site, provide a buddy for the first rotations, a structured sign-off for each machine and clear fatigue management rules. Explain the reporting culture for hazards and near misses. Support for time away from home, such as communications and welfare contacts, helps retention on remote sites. Clear progression from entry-level to larger plant keeps good operators.
Before you brief a recruiter: mining operator checklist
Checklist
- List machines, site type, commodity and shift pattern
- State the experience required and whether you train entry-level operators
- Set the induction, medical and drug and alcohol testing sequence
- List required tickets and those gained on site
- Write down the roster, travel and accommodation terms
- Confirm the award or agreement 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
Can I hire operators with no mining experience?
Yes, if you have a training pathway. State in the brief that you train entry-level operators and what support you offer.
Who pays for the pre-employment medical?
It varies by employer. State who pays and what happens if the candidate does not pass.
Is travel time part of paid work?
It depends on the award or agreement and the roster. State how travel days are treated.
How does CrossNation charge to recruit a mining 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 mining 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 mining operator through CrossNation?
CrossNation recruits sponsorship-ready overseas candidates for employers that want them. Site medicals, inductions and state regulator rules are separate from any visa, and operator roles are treated differently on skilled lists. 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 mining operator the job?
Mining operators do not hold a national licence. Sites require inductions, a fitness for work medical and drug and alcohol testing. For a mining 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 mining operator, and confirm their right to work in Australia before they start.