Mining engineer job description

A university degree in mining engineering (or a closely related discipline) is required. For senior and statutory positions, a statutory certificate of competency such as a mine manager or quarry manager ticket is desirable. Membership of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and a driver’s licence are advantageous, and candidates must have working rights in Australia.

Yes. Unlike many operational mining roles, a mining engineer position requires a relevant university degree. This is the core qualification and should be listed as an essential requirement. Related engineering disciplines may be considered depending on the role, but a formal degree is the baseline expectation for the profession.

Statutory certificates of competency — such as mine manager or quarry manager tickets — are formal, legislated qualifications required to hold certain statutory positions at a mine. They are generally desirable rather than mandatory for a general mining engineer, but become essential as engineers progress into senior or statutory roles. List them as a preferred qualification unless the specific role requires one.

Mandatory requirements should include a mining engineering degree and working rights in Australia. Preferred qualifications typically include a statutory certificate of competency, AusIMM membership, a driver’s licence, and experience with mine planning software. Tailor the essential vs desirable split to the seniority of the role so you don’t unintentionally narrow your candidate pool.

Because mining engineers are award-free professionals, their pay is set by individual employment contracts or an enterprise agreement, not by the Mining Industry Award (MA000011). Salary, FIFO and remote-location allowances, bonuses and conditions are negotiated directly. Setting these out clearly in a written contract avoids disputes — digital employment contracts help keep terms consistent.

Where a modern award does apply to professional engineers, it is the Professional Employees Award 2020 (MA000065) rather than the Mining Industry Award. In practice, however, most mining engineers in Australia are engaged on above-award individual contracts or enterprise agreements. Always confirm the correct arrangement for the specific role rather than assuming MA000011 applies.

Key elements include the position title, employment type, salary and any bonus structure, FIFO and remote-location allowances, roster pattern, main duties, reporting line, work location and required qualifications. Because the role is award-free, the contract carries more weight in defining conditions. Use our digital employment contracts to standardise and simplify this.

Mining engineer roles are almost always full-time, permanent positions given the technical continuity the work requires. Some engineers work on fixed-term project contracts or through consultancies for specific studies or expansions. FIFO arrangements are common, so the employment type should be paired with clear roster and travel terms in the contract.

Mining engineers commonly work FIFO swings such as 8/6 (eight days on, six off) or even-time rosters, depending on the site and operation. Office-based planning work may follow a more standard week, while site-based engineers align with the operation’s shift coverage. See our guide to FIFO roster patterns explained for how the common cycles compare.

Fatigue is a major work health and safety risk on FIFO rosters. Manage it by designing rosters with adequate rest, limiting consecutive long shifts, and monitoring hours across swings. Our guide on managing fatigue on FIFO rosters covers practical controls, and rostering software helps you track hours and spot fatigue risks early.

Coordinating engineers, operators and trades across swings and shifts is complex. Build a single roster that aligns technical staff with operational coverage and travel schedules. Our how to roster mining staff guide walks through the process, and rostering software keeps everyone’s shifts and site attendance visible in one place.

Tracking hours across remote sites and long swings is easier with digital tools. Use time and attendance software to record start and finish times, capture site attendance and feed accurate hours into payroll. This is especially useful for award-free engineers whose pay and allowances are contract-based rather than award-driven.