Education and Careers
NSW mining offers rewarding careers for a whole range of people in high-skilled jobs in mining regions, rural locations and metropolitan areas.
It takes a lot of people in a lot of different jobs to keep our NSW mines working.
There are more than 40,000 people working in mining jobs across NSW. And there are thousands more working in businesses that supply, support, and benefit from our industry. From chemical engineers and drone pilots to software engineers and lab technicians. Environmental scientists and business analysts to mining engineers, transport operators and safety professionals. These are the high-value roles that are vital to a strong mining industry in NSW and the economic benefits mining creates.
The NSW mining industry is an attractive option for young people and job seekers at all stages of their careers. The sector offers highly skilled professional and trade roles, providing education and training opportunities in well-paid, safe and secure occupations.
Our industry has an average weekly national income of over $2,600 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Kickstart your career in the NSW mining Industry
Whether you’re just starting out, or looking to change careers later in life, we’ve put together information to help you take the next step in your NSW mining career.
Read on for further information, and contact info@nswmining.com.au if you need anything extra.
Free Careers Guide: Where Will Mining Take You?
Learn about the variety of roles you could pursue in the NSW Mining industry, including pathways and qualifications you need to find your dream career.
PRIME (Pathways to Resource Industry & Mining Engineering) Program for students in Years 9 & 10
We’re proud to be working with RDA Hunter – which has a strong reputation for implementing industry-skilling and workforce development initiatives – to increase awareness of the NSW mining and minerals industry and career opportunities available to young people.
This collaboration will offer Year 9 and 10 students in the Hunter, Central West and North West regions of NSW the opportunity to experience a working mine site through state of the art virtual reality technology. In a dynamic and interactive 2 hour workshop with supplementary digital resources, students can explore the STEM learning opportunities and careers offered by NSW Mining.
Watch the videos below to hear from three presenters at the PRIME launch discussing their respective pathways into a mining career.
For more information about how your school can participate in PRIME, please email info@nswmining.com.au.
We host free events for year 10, 11 & 12 students, to learn about careers in mining and the educational pathways to those roles.
Students in year 10, 11 and 12, along with a parent and their careers advisor are invited to come and learn about the variety of mining careers available and the educational pathways to those roles for free. Attendees will hear directly from people working in our industry, as well as from a range of education and training providers. Recent graduates, tradespeople, university students and apprentices all talk about what it’s like to work in the NSW mining industry and answer questions from the attending students, parents and teachers.
Our FREE careers dinners are a great way to get a taste of the NSW minerals and resources industry.
The 2024 NSW Mining Careers Dinners program has concluded. Thank you to all who attended. We look forward to sharing more information about our 2025 program early next year.
Learn more about Education & Careers in NSW Mining
Resources for High School Careers Advisers
NSW Minerals Council is committed to providing objective and current career and education resources to careers advisers. We know that industry-relevant information is vital to ensuring that students make informed choices at key transition points along the school to work pathway.
Check back regularly to stay in touch with the latest resources from this dynamic and future-focussed industry.
Resources
Make Your Career in Mining (MCA Australia)
Pathway to Mining Engineering Infographic (myFuture)
Labour Market Information Portal
The Future of Work in Mining (Deloitte)
Mining Career Information Pack (DRNSW)
Year 13 Resourcefulness Academy
Videos
NSW Mining ‘Good for Jobs, Good for Regional NSW’
NSW Mining ‘Good for Sydney, Good for NSW’
Women Pursuing Successful Careers in Mining
Newcastle Knights NRL players explore careers in Mining
A day in the life at Cadia mine
My first day on a FIFO mine site
Documents
Work Experience Guide – Phone Call Script
Work Experience Guide – Sample Letter of Enquiry
Work Experience Guide – Debrief Checklist
Work Experience Guide – Employer’s Evaluation
Resources for Earth Science Educators
NSW Minerals Council is committed to supporting Earth Science education in Australian schools and universities. Geologists and Environmental Scientists make a significant contribution to the mining and minerals industry and this demand is expected to continue.
High-quality, job-ready graduates find interesting and highly paid local, national and international careers in an industry that continues to make significant contributions to local communities and economies.
Article: Australia badly needs earth science skills, but universities are cutting the supply (The Conversation 26/07/2021)
Links and Resources
Australian Earth Science Education (NSW)
Teacher Earth Science Education Program (TESEP)
Mining Exploration & Geoscience Outreach (DRNSW)
DIGS® (Digital Imaging Geological System)
University Pathways to Mining Engineering
Australia and NSW are facing a critical shortage of graduate mining engineers. Current undergraduate enrolment levels must increase in order to ensure a supply of quality graduates into the industry.
According to CSG Talent, the growing demand for qualified mining engineering graduates has led to increased salaries, the introduction of sign-on bonuses, and a promise of increases in responsibility and career progression.
Students considering a degree in Engineering are encouraged to look closely at the present and future opportunities for a well-paid, secure and future-focused career in the NSW mining industry.
UNSW School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering
University of Wollongong School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering
University of Newcastle Bachelor of Engineering (Mining Transfer Program)
Scholarships Directory
University students studying mining-related degrees have access to a wide range of high-value scholarships. Application deadlines and eligibility criteria vary, so it’s important to check university and company websites regularly.
School leavers who have experienced educational or socio-economic disadvantage are eligible to apply for Equity Scholarships through the University Admissions Centre (UAC). It is important to do this when you lodge your university application.
University Scholarships
Check out the scholarships available for mining-related courses at the university websites listed below. To narrow your search, use the keyword “mining”.
University of Wollongong Scholarships
University of Newcastle Scholarships
Mining Company Scholarships
Many mining companies offer generous scholarships to students who live in the local community, who show an aptitude for their studies, and who express a keen interest in a career in the minerals and resources sector.
Check back here regularly for scholarships that you might be eligible to apply for.
The Bloomfield Group offers one scholarship to a student studying Engineering at the University of Newcastle, who is interested in having a career in the coal mining and/or engineering industries.
Bengalla Mining Company offers undergraduate scholarships valued at $5000 to students from Muswellbrook High School, Scone High School, St Joseph’s Aberdeen and Scone Grammar School. For more information please contact community.relations@newhopegroup.com.au.
Glencore offers a number of scholarships to students studying mining-related courses at Australian universities. Search ‘Glencore’ on the university websites above.
Yancoal Cadetship Program Yancoal’s Cadetship Program is for current Year 12 high school students and recent high school graduates wanting to begin their university studies in mining engineering and to develop a career in mining. The program provides financial support, mentoring and valuable ‘hands on’ experience at Yancoal mine sites. Applications close in August each year.
Thiess Scholarships are available across a range of disciplines. Applications are currently closed. For more information please contact miningjobs@thiess.com.au
Northparkes Sumitomo Metals Mining Oceania Scholarships for students residing in Central Western NSW. Applications are currently closed.
Industry Association Scholarships
AusIMM Education Endowment Fund Each year the EEF provides a number of successful scholarship applicants with financial support and exemplary professional development opportunities to enable them to complete their studies and embark on a successful career in the mining industry. Applications close in September each year.
NSW Minerals Industry Scholarships This scholarship has been established to support a student commencing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining) at UNSW.
Graduate, Cadetship and Apprenticeship Programs
Mining Industry Careers Websites
Hunter Region
Central West NSW
Illawarra
North West NSW
Misc
Other Employment Pathways
Trades and traineeships are a good way for young people to enter the industry, gaining a qualification while obtaining hands-on experience.
This pathway allows students to practically apply the skills they are learning and they will often receive a wage while doing so.