What the role is really like
The work is hands-on and crew-focused: moving consumables, tools and drill gear; helping prepare work areas; maintaining housekeeping; and responding to what the development crew needs. Being useful, alert and safe matters more than trying to sound like a mining expert.
Typical duties
- Move drill rods, bits, hoses, tools and consumables
- Help prepare and clean headings and work areas
- Assist with rig-up and de-rig tasks under instruction
- Run supplies and complete general underground duties
- Use radios and follow traffic, isolation and exclusion controls
- Learn the mine layout, hazards and crew routines
Conditions to expect
- Physically demanding work and repetitive manual handling
- Heat, dust, noise, water and uneven ground
- Long shifts and alternating days or nights
- Close work around heavy equipment under strict controls
- Priorities can change quickly during a shift
Experience that may transfer
Labouring, construction, warehousing, agriculture, civil, drilling support and other physical team-based work can provide relevant evidence. Strong examples include following procedures, handling materials safely, working long shifts and communicating around equipment.
Requirements: check the ad, not Facebook folklore
- Current driver licence requirements vary
- Manual-handling fitness and pre-employment medicals are common
- Some employers prefer underground or labouring experience
- Required tickets should be taken from the current advertisement
- Employer and site inductions happen after selection
Requirements vary by employer, state, mine type and site. Do not buy a course or ticket merely because it appears in this guide.