Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$180,000
Full-time annual
People employed
5,900
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans and directs the engineering aspects of locating and extracting minerals from the earth.
Specialisations
Scope note: Drilling engineers (petroleum) are excluded from this occupation. Drilling engineers (petroleum) are included in Occupation 243632 Petroleum Engineer.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Plans and designs mining operations, including the location and layout of the mine development
- Researches and improves the efficiency and safety of mining methods and equipment
- Monitors and evaluates mining operations to ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations
- Assesses mineral reserves and analyses production costs to determine the viability of mining projects
- Conducts geological surveys and analyses data to identify mineral deposits
- Optimises procedures to extract raw materials from the ground using blasting, drilling and other excavation methods
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
11%
Female rate
14%
Median age
38
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+11%
1,730 projected jobs
to 2035
+18%
2,865 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
214
ACT · May 2026
4
VIC · May 2026
20
NT · May 2026
20
SA · May 2026
49
NSW · May 2026
95
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum).
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North West
3,145 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North West
3,145 employed
WA
+10.97%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South East
2,546 employed
WA
+4.77%
year on year
- 3
Perth - Inner
1,997 employed
WA
+13.08%
year on year
- 4
Perth - South West
1,304 employed
WA
+4.49%
year on year
- 5
Brisbane Inner City
1,295 employed
QLD
-4.57%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
6,780
Moved in from another occupation
810
Moved to another occupation
445
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 243631
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
Data confidence: estimate.