Underground mining is one of the most common entry points into FIFO — but it's not for everyone. You're working in confined, hot, noisy environments 1,000 metres below the surface on 12-hour shifts. The pay is strong and the rosters are attractive, but hiring managers want to see that you understand what underground work actually involves before they'll give you a go. Written from direct experience at a Queensland underground mine.
What it is: The nipper is essentially the jumbo's offsider. You set up headings, help rig up and de-rig, change rods and drill bits on the jumbo, and generally help wherever you can with the jumbo operations. It's a common first job underground and teaches you the fundamentals of underground work.
What helps: Physical fitness, mechanical aptitude, willingness to muck in, ability to follow directions without being told twice, and a genuine understanding that safety is non-negotiable underground.
Requirements to check: Driver licence, police check, First Aid, Working at Heights or Confined Space may appear depending on the employer, site and duties. Use current ads as the source of truth before paying for training.
What it is: Operating underground haul trucks — commonly CAT AD45's, AD60's and AD63's, though different mines may run different machinery. You're hauling ore from stopes and development headings up to the surface and tipping at the ROM (Run of Mine) pad, where it's run through a crusher, then a mill, and processed. Some mines have an underground crusher and conveyor system instead of trucking to surface — setups vary. It's a solid production role and often the first full operating job after nippering.
What helps: HR licence, any truck driving experience, civil haul truck operation, forklift or loader experience, clean driving record. Surface operators often transition to underground truckie first.
Requirements to check: Licence class, driving history, medical and site competencies vary. Some employers train and assess operators on site; others require prior experience. Follow the specific ad.
What it is: Service crew takes care of air and water services underground. This includes installing vent, water and air poly lines, face preps, post-blast preps, cable bolt installations, sump pump installations and removals, fan installs, and general ground support. It's physical, varied work that keeps the mine running.
What helps: Civil construction, scaffolding, formwork, steel fixing, concrete spraying, or any trade-adjacent labouring. Experience working in teams on physical, high-risk work.
Requirements to check: Ads may mention police checks, First Aid, Working at Heights, Confined Space or construction credentials depending on the work. Site-specific training varies.
Underground work is hot (35–45°C in many Australian underground operations), dusty, noisy, and physically demanding. You'll wear full PPE including respirators in some areas. Shifts are typically 12 hours. Common rosters are 1 week on / 1 week off (7/7), 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off (14/14), or 2 weeks on / 1 week off (14/7). You can't just "walk off" — once you're underground, you're there until shift change. Communication is by radio and cap lamp signals. Fatigue management and situational awareness are critical skills that hiring managers actively look for.
If you have surface mining, civil, construction or heavy-machinery experience, describe the plant, conditions, procedures and responsibilities accurately. Highlight genuine exposure to risk controls, pre-starts, isolation, fatigue management or restricted-access work—without claiming “zero incidents” or tickets you cannot verify.
Site roles place heavy emphasis on safety. Use truthful examples of hazard identification, stopping work, reporting, controls, pre-start checks, isolation or safe work procedures from your own background. Do not copy terminology you cannot explain in an interview.