Many businesses are starting to look to countries like the UK as a shortage of skilled workers across Australia makes sourcing the talent locally a lot more difficult. For those willing to make the move down under, the pickings can also be very ripe.
Salaries across Western Australia are increasingly rapidly; a recent survey by Australia’s Commonwealth Bank showed that the blue-collar workforce in some parts of Western Australia were earning in the region of 62 percent more than the national average.
Even roles which ordinarily not associated with ‘blue-collar’ workers such as truck drivers are now getting paid salaries of A$150,000 to A$180,000 (£96,000 to £116,000) with a little training. The more skilled professionals whose experience commands a premium – mining engineers, resource geologists – are in even tighter supply.
Such are the opportunities and wages on offer that it is estimated more than 100,000 Australians have moved to the mining towns. Many work as so-called FIFOs, who “Fly In and Fly Out” for their jobs, and the numbers moving has meant that thousands of vacancies have appeared in the hospitality and catering sector in Perth.
Have aspirations to work in the mining industry? Share your comments below.
About Mark
hello, I am 20 years old and a Uk qualified electrician staying in Victoria on a working holiday visa, id love to get the chance to work in the mines and get sponsored to stay in australia. its a great country.
I’m an ex first line transport manager with over 20 years hgv experience.
I am living in the uk but want to move over to australia, any tips on how I can go about it???
I would prefer to be sponsored if possible.
Hi,
I’m originally from Aberdeen Scotland, been in oz now for 2 years with permanent visa. Currently working as a child protection social worker in Act. I have the following skill sets, full hgv class with with 8 years experience working throughout UK & Europe hauling wet and dry goods with experience in all forms of trailers. I also have the following certs with experience in working in the North sea sector, mpi level 2′ rope access level 1, full offshore survival cert, high pressure operations cert, 10 ton forklift cert., dogging cert and basic rigging cert. I’m also a fully qualified baker confectioner.
Looking to either get back into the oil industry or driving.
Hi,
I’m a 49 yr old male with a class 1 hgv licence and 13 yrs experience in haulage, Can someone put me right with starting to look at getting into Austraila and working in the haulage indusrty, Where to look and what i need ?
Hi iam a 40yrs old male from the uk, looking for sponsorship iam a hgv class 2 driver, can you help.
I am an Italian with a truck licence, I am over 30 and wish to work in Australia in the mining industry. What are the possiblities and what sort of work visa do I need. Is it possible for a mining company to sponsor me?
Anybody know of any good firms to contact ref to engineers jobs in oz? i am a skilled engineer currently in the uk