Planning your mining career
Setting the Record Straight: How to Build a Winning Plan to Land Your Mining Job
Breaking into the Hardrock Underground Mining Industry
Thinking about a career change? Considering a future in mining? You’ve heard the reports—maybe even that bold “B” word whispered in industry circles.
Yes! We’ll say it—the hardrock underground mining sector is booming!
But where do you begin? You’ve spent hours combing through job listings, hoping to find an entry point. You’ve stumbled upon online forums filled with advice—some well-meaning, but often coming from people without real industry experience or knowledge.
As WA Underground Shift Supervisors, we want to set the record straight, clearing up common misconceptions and providing accurate, practical guidance to help new starters land their first mining job.
Before making any big career move, the most important thing to do is have a plan.
1. Research the industry
Know the Industry Before You Start
Before jumping into mining, ask yourself:
- What do I actually know about the industry?
- Do I understand different mining methods?
- Would I prefer hardrock, coal, iron ore, or oil & gas?
- Do I want to work underground or on the surface?
These questions matter because each sector has different entry requirements—and they don’t involve spending money on equipment tickets that won’t be recognized on any mine site in Australia.
Mining operates under state-by-state jurisdiction, following specific mining acts. Think of a mine site as its own country, with its own rules. Training happens on-site, where you’ll be signed off on equipment specific to that mine—but your “ticket” won’t transfer to other sites.
Understanding this before applying will save time, money, and frustration.
2. Have I identified the booming areas of mining?
Hardrock Mining Is Booming—But What About Coal and Iron Ore?
The hardrock mining industry is experiencing a massive boom, driven by the global demand for sustainable energy sources. Metals like lithium, nickel, copper, and gold are essential for battery production, fueling a surge in mining activity. As a result, mining companies and contractors are scrambling to hire new crews to meet demand.
With many experienced hardrock miners retiring since 2012, opportunities for new starters have never been better.
On the other hand, coal and iron ore aren’t necessarily in decline economically, but entry-level job opportunities are scarce. When the industry slumped in 2012, companies cut crew numbers and pushed experienced miners out of the sector. Now, those seasoned workers are returning, meaning new starters face far fewer openings in coal and iron ore.
For those looking to break into mining, hardrock remains the best entry point—and now is the time to act.
3. So I’ve decided on the area of mining that I want to work in, what qualifications do I need to get my start?
Equipment Tickets: What You Need to Know
While production mining methods vary across sectors, one constant remains—you don’t need to purchase equipment tickets externally to operate machinery on a production minesite.
Each mine handles on-site training and ticketing, meaning you’ll be signed off on equipment by the mine itself. These tickets are non-transferable, even between sites owned by the same company. When moving to a new site, you’ll go through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) before being re-certified for that location.
Mining companies must ensure all employees are trained to the same standard and be able to prove compliance to the Mines Department. The only way to enforce this is by keeping equipment ticketing strictly an on-site procedure.
Understanding this saves job seekers time and money, preventing them from purchasing unnecessary tickets that mines won’t recognize.
The Truth About Haul Truck Tickets
Driving haul trucks on mine sites is considered an entry-level position, but one of the biggest misconceptions is that a 3-day haul truck course will provide the necessary tickets to secure a mining job.
Training providers often market these courses as a pathway into mining, but in reality, all you’ll get is three days sitting in a truck and a piece of paper that is not recognized within the mining industry. Employers cannot use these tickets due to the onsite ticketing system, meaning they only hold value in the civil & construction industry, where accreditation is national.
This is why it’s critical to identify the specific area of mining you want to pursue before investing in unnecessary training.
- To operate a dump truck on the surface, you need an unencumbered HR licence—nothing more. (some mining employers may even only want a manual driver’s licence as a minimum)
- For hardrock underground, you only need a manual driver’s licence to operate articulated trucks.
Why a manual driver’s licence instead of an HR? It’s not about the trucks—it’s because every underground mine requires workers to operate a Light Vehicle (LV), which are all manual transmissions. If you can’t drive a manual LV, you won’t get the job—it’s as simple as that.
Understanding Inductions in Mining
Every mine site requires a site-specific induction—it’s a standard part of onboarding for all employees.
One of the most common questions we hear is:
“I have my S11 General Induction—why am I not getting a look in?”
Our first question in response is always:
“What did you expect the S11 to do for you?”
Most people reply, “I thought it was a minimum requirement to work in mining—whether hardrock or coal.”
This misconception often stems from misinformation found online or from training providers marketing the S11 as a universal entry ticket. In reality, this is not the case.
The Truth About the S11 General Induction
- The S11 is only used in Queensland coal mining—it has no relevance in hardrock mining.
- NSW has its own version of an induction, which is only applicable in NSW—neither are transferable between states.
- You can complete the first two days (theory component) of the S11, but to be fully signed off, you must already be working on a mine site.
So how does this help a new starter?
Simply put—it doesn’t. If your goal is to break into hardrock underground mining, you need to focus on what employers actually want, not generic qualifications designed for a different sector.
Confined Space and Working at Heights Tickets in Underground Mining
One common misconception about hardrock underground mining is the idea that it qualifies as a confined space, requiring a specific ticket. This is simply not true.
If you’ve ever stood in an underground train station in a major city, you’ve been in the equivalent dimensions of an Australian hardrock mine’s declines. The only scenario where a confined space ticket might be necessary on a mine site is shutdown work, such as cleaning out tanks in the mill.
When it comes to a Working at Heights ticket, the situation is a bit more nuanced. While it can be useful, most employers will require you to complete their site-specific training anyway as part of the induction process.
This is yet another example of why mining companies handle ticketing on-site—ensuring consistent training standards and compliance with Mines Department regulations.
4. What are my overall career aspirations?
Why People Choose Mining & How to Start Your Hardrock Career
People from all walks of life enter mining for different reasons—some are drawn by curiosity, others by financial opportunity, and some simply seek a substantial superannuation boost before retirement. For many, mining presents a long-term career path with incredible potential.
While every sector has its pros and cons, hardrock underground mining offers the greatest long-term career growth. With dedication and experience, entry-level workers can progress through the ranks, building an international mining career within ten years—earning up to $30,000 per month.
By contrast, those entering coal mining in QLD or NSW may find limited upward mobility, with career progression largely dependent on whether the mine remains operational over the next decade.
Breaking Into Hardrock Mining: How Underground Training Can Help
If specialised tickets aren’t the key to entry, then what is?
Mining knowledge.
Underground Training has developed industry-standard courses aligned with the WA Mining Act to equip new starters with essential knowledge—helping them confidently answer mining-related questions during interviews.
When employers identify a candidate who already understands mine operations, it builds confidence in hiring decisions.
As Underground Shift Bosses, we recognized high attrition rates among new starters and created a practical solution. Our courses ensure that even candidates with no hands-on experience arrive with a solid theoretical understanding of their expected roles. This dramatically improves success rates within three months of starting and leads to safer, more productive employees in the long run.
Mining employers continue to acknowledge the value of our training, as shown through the employment success of our students—check out our Wall of Fame and our Partnership Program with KCA Site Services to see the real-world results.
If you’re serious about getting your start in hardrock underground mining, explore our courses and see how we can help you achieve your goals.
Your Pathway to Success
📌 DIY Introduction to Underground Mining – A 50-hour course packed with essential industry knowledge.
✅ Includes step-by-step resume guidance (takes about 2 hours with our template).
✅ Interview preparation questions to ensure you’re ready to impress.
✅ Direct mining company application details to kickstart your job search.
💡 Want a professionally crafted resume? Check out our 3 Step Plan Package for expert assistance!
Need Extra Help Breaking Into Mining?
📌 Workready Package – Get personalized support from a WA ticketed shift boss:
✅ Includes DIY Introduction to Underground Mining course package.
✅ Resume rework to highlight your strengths effectively and make it mining friendly.
✅ Interview prep & personalised career strategy to maximise success.
Investing in the right education and preparation makes getting started easier and ensures long-term career success. Don’t risk becoming another statistic—knowledge is your greatest tool!
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