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​In 2023, the global mining market experienced a 6.1% growth, reaching over US$2145 billion, and it's projected to escalate to over US$2775 billion by 2027.


 Global demand and world industrial production have provided sustained support to the mining and resources sector and the Western Australian economy over the past two decades. Over the next decade, world GDP growth is expected to average 3.3% per annum. 


 A report by KPMG shows the overall production outlook for the Western Australian resources sector is positive. Modest growth in production is expected, supported by the increase in capacity and growth in global industrial activity. 

A mine of opportunity


The Australian mining sector as a whole contributed close to 14% of Australia’s GDP in FY23 with a record $460 billion in earnings for Australian exports of resources and energy commodities in FY23. This was fuelled by the continuing Russian and Ukrainian conflict driving commodity prices. Iron ore and gold projects strongly support our state’s mining industry which continues to be the major resources contributor to our national GDP.


We expect this activity and investment to increase over FY24 despite continued global market uncertainty. 

Money in the mines


Mining job salaries in Australia are among the highest in the world. Salaries in the industry vary based on location, job type, mineral type, experience, and education.


According to the ABS data, wages continue to grow steadily – and sometimes even soar by as much as 20-25% a year for high demand occupations as employers try to address skill shortages.

If you would like Fetch to provide you salary benchmarking for any specific roles you are hiring for, please reach out to Lianne Adlington - State Manager.

Women in mining


Mining is, undoubtedly, still a male-dominated industry. The Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency says, in Australia, women currently make up 16% of the mining workforce. Analysts at McKinsey report 13% of women are at the C-suite level. This is incredibly low in comparison to the infrastructure industry, which has 22% women making up the workforce.


Australian employers have a critical role to play in addressing gender segregation and
promoting gender balance in the workforce. Fetch Recruitment believes employers can attract both women to their workforces by de-biasing and de-gendering processes for recruitment, retention, promotion, and pay as well as thinking innovatively about opportunities for training and upskilling. Workplace cultures that are supportive of gender neutral flexible working arrangements and all employees with caring responsibilities are also key.


Fetch has been provided information on progress being made that has been to encourage more women into the space, and to advance opportunities for women, such as Laing O’Rourke have female site internships in place and many companies like Aurecon providing parental leave form day 1, which is important to any female looking to leave a current employer.


A report on Women in Mining highlights in 2012, the percentage of women on boards of the top-500 listed companies globally was a mere 4.9% yet by January 1, 2022, that figure had risen to 17.6%, representing a 13% increase over the decade. Organisations with at least one woman on their board consistently outperformed those with none. This finding is backed up by ten years of research, which has shown that higher female board representation is associated with higher profitability, higher return on capital invested and better environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures and performance scores. By creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, and affording opportunities to enable people to maximise their talents, we will deliver strong economic growth.

Mind the [skills] gap


Mining companies are experiencing a talent squeeze. A report from McKinsey & Co reveals that 86% of mining executives find it harder to recruit and retain the talent they need versus three years ago. Not surprisingly, the highest demand is for highly skilled professionals within the industry. Yet many of the most sought-after workers do not see the industry as attractive. 70% of 15- to 30-year-olds said they probably or definitely would not consider a career in mining.

From fetch’s internal data these skilled professionals in the highest demand now are Mining professionals such as Civil, Mechanical, Geotechnical, Process and Underground Mining engineers in the white-collar sector. Followed by HD Fitters, Electricians/Auto Electricians, Process Technicians and Good Excavator/All Round Operators in the blue-collar sector.

Solutions for addressing talent shortages:


  • Treating talent as a strategic pillar
  • Understanding employee preference and needs
  • Investing in skills development 
  • Promoting industry values


Reach out to our team to see how we can help.

Exploring typical roster cycles


Rosters are important to the Mining industry when it comes to recruitment as most employees are after an even time roster to have work life balance and spend equal time with families.

In 2023, the most common roster types offered to FIFO mine workers were:


  • 8/6 roster (8 days on/6 days off). Often called the “lifestyle roster”. 
  • 7/7 roster (7 days on/7 days off)
  • 14/7 roster (14 days on/7 days off). This roster is more common in the mineral exploration industry (e.g. drillers, drillers offsiders, and exploration geologists), where projects sites are more remote and isolated, and access to accommodation and transport is more limited.
  • 5/2 roster (5 days on/2 days off). Some technical services professionals (e.g. mine planning/scheduling engineers and mine geologists) work a Monday to Friday week and choose to fly home for the weekend. It should be noted that these workers would typically have accommodation provided to them in a mining camp or residential area, so it can be considered a pseudo-FIFO roster.


The scheduling of FIFO working hours can be significantly influenced by conditions in the labour market. During periods of labour shortage, companies might offer more attractive roster cycles to attract and retain talent. On the other hand, during periods of labour surplus, companies might adopt roster cycles that enhance operational efficiency, potentially leading to longer ‘on’ periods. In essence, FIFO working hours are a careful balancing act, taking into account operational demands, regulatory requirements, and a commitment to ensuring the well-being of employees. Understanding these influencing factors can help both existing and prospective FIFO workers to navigate and advocate for favourable roster arrangements.

Life on the mines


As the race to attract and retain the best talent intensifies, companies are increasingly prioritising workplace wellness to distinguish themselves.


Mineral Resources are leading the way in acknowledging the importance of accommodating employee preferences, providing modern facilities at their four mine site accommodation villages. 

This focus on improving employee wellness by investing in better infrastructure for camps sets mining companies apart, making them more favourable to work for and increases talent attraction and retention. Specifically, we know the site 'Onslow' attracts a high volume of applicants due to the known premium standard of the camp. 

Motivations of mining jobseekers



Fetch recruits across both white- and blue-collar mining sectors and have found very little differences in motivators between the sectors when an employee is considering a new role. With the Mining industry heavily contract driven, the main consideration for an employee is length of contract and timeline left on the project they are working on, this is then closely followed up by the roster they are working on. The other 2 top considerations would be salary and development opportunities. If you are seeing anything different to what we are reporting please do let us know we would love to hear your opinions.

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February 27, 2025
With the WA state election set for Saturday, 8 March 2025, infrastructure investment remains a key focus. With billions of dollars being allocated to major projects across the state, voters are paying close attention to how these developments will shape the economy, job market, and liveability in their communities. From the $7.2 billion Westport project to the Tonkin Highway Extension and the $1.8 billion New Women and Babies Hospital , WA’s government is making significant commitments to future-proof the state. But these investments also come with questions: How will they be delivered? Who will benefit? And what role does the upcoming election play in shaping their progress? Infrastructure and the Election Agenda Infrastructure is always a key political battleground, and this election is no different. The current WA government, led by Premier Roger Cook and the Labor Party, has positioned itself as a strong advocate for major projects, securing federal funding and pushing forward on transport, energy, and healthcare initiatives. Labor has consistently emphasised infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and long-term state development. However, opposition candidates and critics argue that while these projects sound promising, their execution, cost management, and long-term benefits must be carefully scrutinised. Take the Westport project , for example. The government has announced plans to fully transition port operations from Fremantle to Kwinana by the late 2030s, with environmental approvals and business cases now moving forward. While this will create significant economic opportunities, opponents question the feasibility of the timeline and the impact on local businesses and freight operators. Similarly, the Tonkin Highway Extension , a project receiving over $1 billion in combined federal and state funding, is being championed as a solution to congestion and better regional connectivity. With construction expected to support 4,400 jobs, the project is a clear vote-winner for those prioritising employment and transport infrastructure. But critics point to rising costs and potential delays as concerns that need to be addressed. Labor’s focus on infrastructure has been a key pillar of its economic strategy, helping to drive employment and investment across the state. The opposition, led by the Liberal Party, has raised concerns about debt levels and efficiency in project delivery, arguing for stronger accountability measures. Other Major Projects Driving WA’s Infrastructure Boom Beyond these headline projects, a range of other major infrastructure developments have been awarded, further highlighting the sheer scale of work coming up in WA. Some key projects include: Lumsden Point General Cargo Facility – A significant step in boosting WA’s port capacity, supporting trade and logistics. King Rocks Wind Farm – Strengthening WA’s renewable energy sector and creating long-term jobs in clean energy. Metronet Rail Projects – Ongoing expansions to Perth’s rail network, enhancing public transport connectivity. Albany Ring Road – A major road project aimed at improving freight efficiency and safety in WA’s southwest. Various Hospital Upgrades – Including expansions and refurbishments to key healthcare facilities across the state. With these projects and more in the pipeline, WA’s construction and engineering workforce will be in high demand for years to come. The Jobs Boom and Fetch Recruitment’s Role For Perth’s workforce, these projects represent a wave of new employment opportunities, particularly in construction, engineering, and project management. Fetch Recruitment, a leader in WA’s recruitment space, is at the forefront of placing skilled professionals into roles that will drive these developments forward. As contracts are awarded for key projects like the Lumsden Point General Cargo Facility and the Warradarge Wind Farm expansion , demand for skilled trades, site supervisors, civil engineers, and project managers continues to grow. Whether it’s in mining, transport infrastructure, or renewables, Fetch Recruitment is actively connecting top talent with these industry-changing projects. What’s Next? As voters head to the polls, infrastructure promises will play a significant role in shaping their decisions. Will the current government’s investment strategy win them another term, or will concerns over cost blowouts and project delays sway public opinion? One thing is certain—regardless of the election outcome, WA’s infrastructure pipeline is set to transform the state for decades to come. And for job seekers looking to be part of this transformation, Fetch is here to help navigate the opportunities ahead.  Looking for your next role in construction, engineering, or project management? Get in touch with us today and be part of WA’s infrastructure future.
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