The main non trade jobs would be cleaning or driving the trucks after training for that .Week on week off i found great . the mine had basic ensuite rooms in dongers (portacabins) dry mess, wet mess, gym, pool, tennis courts , bbqs ,green area for sports. few straight into the mine from perth .
All food supplied unless you want crisps etc . Safety now comes 1st , if it doesn't yr working for the wrong people . Most accidents small or large are normally down to someone not following safety procedures. I know of one person who got hit in the head after 3 time being told not to use a tool the way he was !

Sounds like he's the tool!!

That was one word for him

Yes it's true and there are companies who specifically train heavy dump truck drivers from scratch...however I'm pretty sure you'd have to have a visa already...

A lot of the coal mines in NSW and Queensland offer mon-fri work because they are so close to major towns...

Well i suppose i am one of the most qualified people on here to answer this one. But it is actually a difficult question.
I am a geologist currently working in a remote are of NSW at a underground mine, though moving to Perth this week for a new job with a bigger mining company.
A lot of what has been said is good advice such as rostas. However, unskilled guys very rarely are given the option of fifo, (fly in fly out) as it is too expensive for the company. Normally, companies pay for proffesional grades such as geologists and mining engineers to fifo. Tradesmen will often fifo or dido, (drive in drive out) at there own expense. Unskilled staff will usually be required to be residential in a local town.
However, many people like the advantage of this and some of the senior staff here have taken that option, as the country side is interesting, the people in small towns, (mine is population 3000) are friendly and the company will usually provide very cheap housing, allowing people to save a lot of money very quickly.
You would be very unlikely to obtain casual / short term work, as the cost of getting you on site with things such as medicals, safety training, inductions and things is too prohibative. However, many mines will take inexperienced people and train them - we have just had a lady from the local old peoples home join us here and train as a underground truck driver.
However. Before you decide to chase the $$$ think hard about it. This isnt a industry like most others. Underground is hot, dirty, wet and dangerous. Even the best mines have serious accidents. There is a good reason why we have a medical team with our own mini hospital and ambulance on site - how would your OH feel about that? Whould she be worried all the time you are at work? I ask, because it is a big thing - my OH hates me been ug

It's different in WA. Virtually everyone does FIFO. Some guys will drive up if they need to take some kit to site, but everyone else flies. The difference comes in with how much the company needs you. If you are really vital to them and are in a crushing skill shortage, say diesel mechanic, then you will get whatever rotation you want. Say 1 week on, 1 week off. For an unskilled worker it might be 3+1. In WA, mining companies have virtually given up on local labour (apart from affirmative action programs for aboriginies) as there is no one up there.

There are a few underground mines - Argyle Diamond for instance - in WA but most are open cut. It's still a dirty, hot and sometimes unpleasant job though and it's not suited to a lot of people.

Just going to put my few cents worth in. My hubby is up at Murrin Murrin at the moment on 4on 1off, working 13 days straight 12 hour days. He is FIFO. On the camp itself there is swimming pool, tennis courts, football pitches, bbq area, shop, bar and mess. He says it is about 40 degrees at the moment so very hot and the mine itself is extremely dangerous. He is glad he has went and done the experience but says it is more suited to single guys. It is hard on the family back at home but I am used to him been away. If your wife and family are not used to this there could be trouble for you. You both have to agree to it. It is also not that easy to get into the mines after the interview stage it took about 4 weeks before he was actually on his way and this seems to be the norm as it was the same with the last one he was on as well. But he says other than the mine been a bit dangerous it is alright and has met a lot of interesting people and got a glimpse of the wildlife which he says will give you the shock of your life. Well he is back this Thursday for a week and we will see if he wants to go back. I for one will not be making him go back if he doesn't want to.
Hope this gives you some idea of what it is like.

Sandra

Hi,

Thanks for the info. we are going on my wifes 175 visa. Just waiting on case officer. We applied may & should hear something soon (fingers crossed). I will surf the net to see who does this training.

Thanks,
Tony.

I was working as a TA (trades assistant) in the eighties and the money was pretty good. We were only allowed 2 flights out a year, don't know if it's still the same. Not a place I would recommend you take the good woman on her first visit to oz. Trades people with family's used to be supplied homes to rent but single men were usually put in dongers.

Everything is pretty much FIFO now. At our mine there is virtually a flight a day in/out, direct to the mine. It's a 100 seater jet too.

Cushty.

hi, sorry to butt in on the thread (may be a bit old now anyhow) am interested in the mines for two reasons.
firstly when you talk about fifo where do they fi to, as am an airport firefighter and would be interested to know if they have their own on the mines or if its a secondary role like the oil rigs over here.
secondly driving licences, which one should i resit am also an lgv 1 driver with 20yrs experience which one earns me the most (assuming they use different trucks in different mines etc)
thanks for any help.

Hi,

Has anyone got information/contacts on companies that employ unqualified people to train in the mining industry like dump truck driving ect. Or companies/contacts that I can train with privately. Any names or web sites are greatly appreciated. Has anyone bought any of the ebooks from "Theaussieminer".com if so are they any good.

Cheers,

Tony.

The West Australian newspaper used to have adverts for companies that train people in mines work - MARCSTA, health and safety, first aid, driving etc.The best day was usually the Saturday paper as that was when the jobs were advertised.

Cheers,

I will try to look it up on line.