Mine geologist job description

A university degree in geology, geoscience or a closely related discipline is essential — this is a professional role and the degree is non-negotiable. Membership of a professional body such as AusIMM and a current driver’s licence are desirable, along with working rights in Australia. Prior ore-control, grade-control or resource geology experience is advantageous but can be built on the job.

Membership of a professional body such as the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) is desirable rather than mandatory for most mine geologist roles. It signals professional standing and is often expected for senior or Competent Person responsibilities under the JORC Code, but entry-level positions typically list it as preferred.

Look for strong technical geology and interpretation judgement, confidence with resource modelling software and spatial data, and meticulous attention to detail in logging, sampling and QA/QC. Because the role sits between the field and operations, clear communication with mining engineers, surveyors and operators plus a genuine safety focus are just as important as technical depth.

Yes. Many operations hire graduate geologists straight from a relevant degree and develop them through ore-control and grade-control work under supervision. A clear job description that separates essential requirements (the degree, working rights) from desirable ones (experience, professional membership) helps you attract graduates without over-qualifying the role.

Generally none. A mine geologist is an award-free professional — the Mining Industry Award 2020 (MA000011) explicitly excludes professional employees such as geologists, engineers and scientists. Where a professional-employee award applies to some scientists it is the Professional Employees Award 2020 (MA000065), but many mine geologists sit above award coverage entirely and are engaged on individual professional contracts or an enterprise agreement.

No. MA000011 covers operational mining classifications — production operators, drillers and trades — not geologists. You should not apply MA000011 pay rates to a mine geologist. Their pay is set by an individual employment contract or an enterprise agreement. Use the Mining Industry Award guide only for context on the operational workforce that the award does cover.

Because the role is award-free, pay and conditions come from the individual employment contract or enterprise agreement rather than a modern award. Set out the annualised salary or package, roster pattern, FIFO arrangements, allowances and leave clearly and in writing. Digital employment contracts make it easy to capture and store these agreed terms.

Key elements include: position title, employment type (typically full-time), salary or package, roster pattern and FIFO point, reporting structure, main duties, work location, and required qualifications. Because the role is award-free, be explicit about entitlements that a modern award would otherwise set. Use our digital employment contracts to simplify this.

Mine geologists on remote sites usually work FIFO swings such as 8 days on / 6 days off or even-time arrangements, sometimes with a mix of day and night coverage to support continuous production. The exact pattern is set by the contract or enterprise agreement rather than an award. See FIFO roster patterns explained for common swing structures.

Fatigue management is a core work health and safety obligation on mine sites. Plan roster swings, shift lengths and travel with adequate rest built in, and monitor cumulative hours. Rostering software helps you build compliant patterns and spot fatigue risks early. Our guide on managing fatigue on mining FIFO rosters covers this in detail.

Even for salaried professional staff, tracking time supports fatigue management, site access records and WHS compliance. Use time and attendance tools to record hours worked across the swing so you have visibility of long shifts and cumulative fatigue, without treating the role as award-based hourly pay.

Mine geologists work in the pit or underground, so employers carry the same work health and safety duties as for any site worker — safe systems of work, PPE, and fatigue management across FIFO swings. See mining WHS employer obligations for what you need to have in place, and use rostering software to keep coverage and rest compliant.