Miner
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$152,600
Full-time annual
People employed
40,600
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Regional shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Operates plant to excavate, load and transport coal, ore, rock and other minerals in an underground or open-cut mine.
Alternative titles
Mining Operator · Mining Plant Operator
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Operates mining equipment to excavate coal, ore, rock and other minerals
- Loads materials onto trucks or conveyors for transportation
- Inspects equipment and performs routine maintenance and repairs
- Follows mining plans and procedures to extract minerals from the earth
- Assists in the installation and maintenance of underground support systems
- Collects and analyses samples to determine the quality and composition of minerals
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
6%
Female rate
12%
Median age
42
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+4%
2,406 projected jobs
to 2035
+6%
3,733 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 4
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate II in Surface Extraction Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Underground Coal Mining
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Underground Metalliferous Mining
Occupation ready
Certificate II in Autonomous Workplace Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Autonomous Control and Remote Operations
Specialised training
Certificate III in Mining Exploration
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Surface Coal Mining (Open Cut Examiner)
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Underground Metalliferous Mining Operations
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Underground Coal Operations
Specialised training
Certificate II in Mining/Field Exploration
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Resource Processing
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
214
ACT · May 2026
2
VIC · May 2026
26
NT · May 2026
14
SA · May 2026
42
NSW · May 2026
127
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Miner.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North West
6,446 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North West
6,446 employed
WA
+11.77%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South West
4,832 employed
WA
+11.21%
year on year
- 3
Bunbury
3,995 employed
WA
+19.25%
year on year
- 4
Central Queensland
3,900 employed
QLD
+17.43%
year on year
- 5
Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
3,757 employed
QLD
+10.86%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
36,695
Moved in from another occupation
5,290
Moved to another occupation
3,300
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 732331
- 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).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.