Postcode:
Resident:
Employed:
A Miner operates a range of equipment at an open cut or underground mining facility. You might use equipment such as excavators, dump trucks, diggers or water trucks. Miners may excavate rock, coal or other materials or be responsible for loading and moving materials. You may have a specialist role such as supervising work crews, managing safety or being part of a blast crew.
Miners should have a strong focus on safety and be able to work well in a team environment. You'll need be able to follow a production schedule and work with correct procedures. Miners usually work a range of shifts including nights and weekends. Depending on your role, you may have to travel or work away from home.
There are 10 courses available for people who want to become a Miner. These are the top 5 most popular courses.
Possible job outcomes:
Get a job at an underground coal mine with the RII20320 Certificate II in Underground Coal Mining. This nationally recognised certificate introduces you to the hazards and safety requirements of an underground mine site. You’ll learn how to escape from dangerous situations, identify and deal with hazards, and follow emergency response procedures along with your work team. You will also gain a range of operational skills that surround rotational drilling, stone dusting, automated winders, polymeric chemicals, vehicle use, ventilation and more. Enquire now for the full list of study units, mining career outcomes, and upcoming enrolment dates..
Average duration: 12 months.
Get your first job at an open cut mine or quarry with the RII20220 - Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations. This nationally recognised qualification introduces you to the routines and safety procedures of an Australian mine site, beginning with risk controls, workplace communication, quality standards, and sustainability. You’ll then gain the operational skills you need to operate machinery, vehicles and equipment. Technical skills include: mixing explosives, dust suppression, breaking oversized rocks, laying cables and hoses, crushing operations, carrying out preventative maintenance. Enquire now for the full list of study units, mining career outcomes, and upcoming enrolment dates..
Average duration: 6 months.
Get your first job at an underground mine that extracts iron ore, copper, tin, nickel, gold, silver or zinc with the RII20420 Certificate II in Underground Metalliferous Mining. This nationally recognised training course begins with critical communication and safety essentials, then delivers a range of hands-on skills that allow you to support qualified miners and production operators. The course covers: site quality standards, conducting risk controls, supporting shotfiring operations, operating vehicles and machines, installing ground support, working with explosives. There is also scope to gain a number of government approved work permits. Enquire now for career outcomes, funding opportunities and upcoming course dates..
Become a production operator at open-cut mines and quarries with the RII30120 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations. This nationally recognised qualification begins with the essential communication skills, environmental and safety protocols required at mining industry jobsites — personal safety, following WHS procedures, applying risk management processes while digging or drilling, identifying environmental and heritage issues. You’ll then gain the technical skills you need to begin working as a production operator: assessing ground conditions, building and maintaining routes for autonomous operations, surface blast hole drilling, dredging, surface miner operations, controlling automated plant/machinery, and much more. Enquire now for the list of study units, job appointment possibilities, and upcoming course dates..
Get a production operator role at an underground coal mine with the RII30220 Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations. This nationally recognised qualification builds on your existing knowledge of mining safety and communication and delivers a range of hands-on operational skills. You will learn how to apply risk management processes, conduct fire team operations, and conduct underground lifting operations. There is also scope to learn stone dusting, strata control, continuous miner operations, atmospheric monitoring, shuttle car operations, and much more. Enquire now for the full list of entry requirements, operator specialisation units, and upcoming enrolment dates..
In Australia, a full time Miner generally earns $1,700 per week ($88,400 annual salary) before tax. This is a median figure for full-time employees and should be considered a guide only. As you gain more experience you can expect a potentially higher salary than people who are new to the industry.
This industry has seen a drop in employment numbers in recent years. There are currently 32,300 people employed as a Miner in Australia compared to 37,200 five years ago. Miners may find work across all regions of Australia.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights
A Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations is an ideal qualification if you’re planning a career as a Miner. This course will prepare you for production operator roles at open cut mines and quarries. This course covers topics including assessing ground conditions, building and maintaining routes for autonomous operations and surface blast hole drilling. A Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations may also be suitable.
We’ll find nearby campuses and check if you’re eligible for funding in your state.
Here are some potential career pathways within mining. Click on an occupation to learn more about the role and the qualifications that can help you get started in this industry.
Mining
Apprentice Engineer
$960 weekly pay
Engineering Tradesperson
Advanced Engineering Tradesperson
$1,800 weekly pay
Casting and Moulding Tradesperson
$1,440 weekly pay
Driller
$1,650 weekly pay
Driller Offsider
$1,350 weekly pay
Dump Truck Operator
$1,640 weekly pay
Electrical and Instrumentation Technician
$1,550 weekly pay
Geological Technician
$1,540 weekly pay
Hydraulic Fitter
Hydraulic Mechanic
Industrial Electrician
Instrumentation Technician
$1,400 weekly pay
Machinist
Mechanical Fitter
Miner
$1,700 weekly pay
Mining Machine Operator
Mining Surveyor
$1,250 weekly pay
Plant Mechanic
Plant Operator
Production Operator
Shotfirer
Drilling Supervisor
$1,750 weekly pay
Jumbo Operator
$2,300 weekly pay
Metallurgist
Mining Engineer
Mining Manager
$1,500 weekly pay
Mining Supervisor
Research Engineer
Learn more about Miner courses in your area.