I've worked in the mines for years now all over Australia. I won't mention my job title or company, but I have worked underground when a mine has collapsed, had rib(wall) explode over me, seen people loose fingers/feet, watched someone die in front of me as each cpr pump sprayed blood out of 3 holes in the back of his head, had a collegue explode whilst charging up a face (accidental explosives trigger), seen a hook go up someone's nose and rip back out again, had a young guy get run over and killed by a haul truck, had someone hit by a haul train, to name a few.

It's fun at the start but it drains the life out of you. Make sure you get a good town to live in as it really makes a difference, join the union as soon as you can, and as a heavy diesle fitter $150K per year is really the lower limit of what you want to look at. All depends on experience though so you may have to start lower.

Above ground is pretty cruisey, underground is lots more fun, however as an underground fitter you get the dirtiest jobs (crawling under continuous miners in 3 feet of mud)

Not trying to put you off but everyone I meet thinks mining is an awesome way to make money. It can be (i.e. $330,000 per 4.5 months) but if you are only after lots of money prostitution is easier, much more fun, and you don't have to live in the middle of nowhere.

Jim.

Yeah it's certainly gonna be an eye-opener. The missus and I are leaving Tuesday morning, a 5,000km trip all up. Allowing a week for travel, and camping along the way. Basically had to turn down a job offer yesterday cos I wasn't in Port Hedland at the time, if i'd been up there I probably could have got it. Dammit! Haha. I guess the main reason for me heading up there is
- Trade qualified people can earn more than they can spend (although I have pretty big eyes, hello Datsun GTR)
- Geelong didn't really get summer, one day topped 35 haha
- I'm probably at the only age where i'm most able to; no real ties, no mortgage, no young family etc. Seize the opportunity while I can

LOTS of redtape.

Not sure what the mines here are like but the two that I had dealt with in PNG were not easy at all (to get into and to work at).

Pay very good, accommodation sht, food AWESOME, we had strict booze limits with breathalyzers at every corner. I went up there heading a sandblast crew and later to draw up some new buildings.

GL with it. Bit of a dogs life though, I'm the same age as you and even in the mines there (in PNG) Aussie guys my age were leaving because they didn't like it or couldn't handle the hours. A handful got kicked out the second night because they got on the turps first flight the next morning they were out.

I went and left the kids and missus on the island that I was based at, I missed them but it was also good to get away!. If you have no strings attached then sure give it a go.

Im in Mackay, just come from Mount Isa

there is lost of work for your trade.
the mining industries is well aware of people making a quick dollar and leavinh which it accepts

best thing to do is to drive to where you want to work as the local papers are the best source of jobs
complete your mining generics and a mining medical around $1000-1500

its a gamble but its pretty safe gamble
lots of red tape tho

Hahaha, i'm glad to see you're keen Wardy! Yeh basically if you've got a trade qualification, degree in construction/engineering or mining (duh) then it's very easy to get a job up there. IF you look in the right places! Basically I've done a heeeap of calling around over the last few months sussing it out, cos it's a hell of a way to move if there's nothing up there. But with you having a ticket as a HD fitter I daresay they'd throw jobs at you! Haha there's a heap of recruiting agencies to call, they're generally the best as they deal with mining jobs all day every day. The other option is to apply to mines directly. I'm trying to join a recruiting agency as it means i'm not sub-contracting any more, back on wages would be good as it's a lot easier paperwork wise. But each to their own, there's heaps of positions out there, I'll discuss it more on the phone with you Sat morning anyways!

While in Sri Lanka for Holidays some locals came up to us wanting to mine
the wax in our ears with home made bamboo sticks, I asked how much you get
doing this kind of work and could they pick my nose instead but they didnt
flinch at that either. Mining is dirty work everywhere.

dunno about the VIC mines (are there any other than the Latrobe Valley?) but definately for WA, QLD etc., VIC residency isn't favoured..

Some great info! Thanks guys!

ssskiwi- so your saying the vic mines have trouble finding workers? May have to look into that.

Casey- congrats on the job! I wouldn't really care where abouts the job is as long as it included flights home every fortnight, seems the more remote the area the bigger the pay cheque obviously. I also have my hc license so that would help.

Shoota- exactly what I was thinking! Staying there for 1,2 or 3 years and I would be set for life! Buy a house, start my shop up and be happy as he'll. It's a small sacrifice to take a huge step in life. My gf and I only see each other for 2 days a week now, so we will manage easily.

Hey Wardy, go for it!!
Once the family starts you aint going nowhere pal!
I had school mates that went over and did it with NO prior experience or trades and they were pulling $150K a year. They did it for 18 months then came home and subsequently moved straight to the Goldy!
If you're smart about it, it will set you up for life.
Will put a strain on the relationship but if you can deal with that then all good.
A week off at a time would be awesome! Imagine the Datsun time you would get.

i got a job as a drilling offsider starting in july. hard work 2 on 1 off
i figure while im young i may aswell put in the hard yards for 18months or so just to save some cash.

got my HC license and first aid. i am just about to finnish a diploma in mechanical design but would rather #OOPS# in my hands and clap than be stuck in an office for 8 hours a day.

kinda want to bank some coin to start a small fab shop near home. and the mines gives good coin if your good at saving.

i got a mate who is concreting in WA and hes on about $140 an hour and his site was closed due to asbestos so he spent his 12 hour shift watching deadliest catch and getting paid for it haha.