- Date:
- 19 Aug 2026
1 Industry snapshot
Mining skills and workforce snapshot
Workforce overview
Victoria’s smallest employing industry:
- 12,000 people employed
- 0.3% of the Victorian workforce.
Top employing jobs in the industry:
- Drillers, miners and shot firers
- Metal fitters and machinists.
Workforce profile
- Predominantly male and VET qualified workforce
- Around one-third of the people employed in the industry work in the exploration and other mining services industry sub-sector
- Higher proportion of the workforce is aged 50+ (35% compared with 29% statewide)
- More First Nations workers employed (1.3% compared with 0.7% statewide).
Projections
Future workforce projections:
- 750 new workers expected by 2028
- By 2028, the non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying sub-sector is projected to add 1,200 new workers to its workforce.
Top growing jobs in the industry are:
- Truck drivers, +330 new workers by 2028
- Earthmoving plant operators, +220 new workers by 2028.
Regional outlook
Regions expecting the highest share of new workers:
- Melbourne: Western metropolitan Melbourne and Southern metropolitan Melbourne
- Regional: Gippsland and Barwon.
Skills demand
The top growing jobs in the industry range in skill level requirements:
- Whilst salaries across occupations do vary, the industry has high overall retention rates.
Most in-demand industry specific skills:
- Risk management
- Occupational health and safety.
Skills supply
Popular vocational education and training courses:
- Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
- Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations.
Popular university study areas:
- Business management
- Chemical engineering.
2 Introduction
About the mining industry
About these reports
These reports provide a point in time, data-driven overview of the workforce and skills for each industry.
The report does not provide a complete view of workforce dynamics within the industry. Its purpose is to support ongoing efforts to address workforce and skilling demands and to identify opportunities within the mining industry.
Report coverage
This report focuses on the mining industry and the occupations relevant to the industry, categorised using the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) classification of industries (ANZSIC) and occupations (ANZSCO).
Coverage in this report is limited to employment in the industry and sectors as defined by the ABS, noting some occupations are almost exclusively associated with an industry, such as surgeons in the health services sector, while others, such as accountants, are associated with many industries.
Furthermore, industry classifications rarely encompass the full nature of the work (and therefore skills) associated with a given industry. Therefore, ABS definitions of industries or sectors may not align with the definitions used by an industry association.
Key sectors of the industry
The mining industry is involved in the exploration, extraction and processing of minerals, metals, oil, gas and other natural resources.
The key sectors within the mining industry are:
- Coal, and oil and gas extraction – includes the extraction of black and brown coal, crude oil, natural gas and coal seam gas through open-cut, underground or offshore operations
- Metal ore mining – includes mining of iron ore, gold, bauxite, copper, silver, lead, zinc and other metal ores
- Non-metallic mineral mining – includes extraction of sand, gravel, limestone, gypsum and clay used in construction and manufacturing.
3 Workforce profile
Mining is Victoria’s smallest employing industry, characterised by a largely male workforce and above‑average First Nations representation.
Employment
Employment by industry in 2025
- 12,000 employed1
- 0.3% Victorian employment share
- 19th share rank.
Employment by industry subdivision in 2025
Industry subdivision | Number of workers |
|---|---|
Exploration and other mining support services | 4,300 |
Metal ore mining | 3,700 |
Oil and gas extraction | 2,300 |
Non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying | 1,400 |
Coal mining | 270 |
Workforce profile
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
Age distribution in 2021
Age profile – industry
Age | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
15 to 24 years | 6% |
25 to 49 years | 59% |
50 years and over | 35% |
Age profile – all industries
Age | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
15 to 24 years | 14% |
25 to 49 years | 57% |
50 years and over | 29% |
Sex distribution² in 2021
Sex distribution – industry
Sex | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
Female | 18% |
Male | 82% |
Sex distribution – all industries
Sex | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
Female | 49% |
Male | 51% |
Highest level of education in 2021
Highest level of education – industry
Education | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
VET | 40% |
Higher education | 31% |
No post-school qualifications | 28% |
Highest level of education – all industries
Education | Percentage of workers |
|---|---|
VET | 30% |
Higher education | 41% |
No post-school qualifications | 29% |
Workforce diversity
First Nations employment in 2021
Group | Percentage identifying as First Nations |
|---|---|
Industry | 1.3% |
All industries | 0.7% |
Working age population | 0.9% |
Speaks a language other than English³ in 2021
Group | Percentage speaking a language other than English at home |
|---|---|
Industry | 12.7% |
All industries | 27.4% |
Working age population | 34.4% |
Needs assistance with core activities⁴ in 2021
Group | Percentage needing assistance with core activities |
|---|---|
Industry | 0.6% |
All industries | 0.9% |
Working age population | 3.2% |
4 Top employing occupations
Drillers, miners and shot firers is the top employing occupation in the industry, with a mostly male, full-time employed, VET qualified workforce.
Largest employing occupations within the industry by sex, employed part-time and highest education attainment
Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding.
Number employed by sex², ABS Census 2021
Occupation | Number of workers | Percentage male | Percentage female |
|---|---|---|---|
Drillers, miners and shot firers | 1,300 | 95% | 5% |
Metal fitters and machinists | 530 | 99% | 1% |
Truck drivers | 510 | 91% | 9% |
Production managers | 460 | 90% | 10% |
Geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists | 340 | 79% | 21% |
Other building and engineering technicians | 320 | 92% | 8% |
Earthmoving plant operators | 280 | 96% | 4% |
Chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators | 240 | 98% | 2% |
Other construction and mining labourers | 210 | 93% | 7% |
Mining engineers | 210 | 89% | 11% |
Percentage working part-time in 2021
Occupation | Percentage working part-time |
|---|---|
Drillers, miners and shot firers | 7% |
Metal fitters and machinists | 6% |
Truck drivers | 11% |
Production managers | 7% |
Geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists | 16% |
Other building and engineering technicians | 7% |
Earthmoving plant operators | 4% |
Chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators | 7% |
Other construction and mining labourers | 9% |
Mining engineers | 12% |
Highest educational attainment in 2021
Occupation | Percentage VET | Percentage higher education | Percentage no post-school qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
Drillers, miners and shot firers | 51% | 4% | 45% |
Metal fitters and machinists | 87% | 2% | 11% |
Truck drivers | 38% | 2% | 60% |
Production managers | 42% | 40% | 18% |
Geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists | 2% | 97% | 1% |
Other building and engineering technicians | 59% | 15% | 26% |
Earthmoving plant operators | 37% | 0% | 63% |
Chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators | 81% | 8% | 11% |
Other construction and mining labourers | 42% | 3% | 55% |
Mining engineers | 4% | 92% | 4% |
5 Workforce projections
By 2028, 700 new workers are expected to enter the mining industry.
Workforce projections: 3-year and 10-year outlook
Workforce projections – industry
Time period | Employment growth | Retirements | New workers expected5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Share | No. | Share | ||
2025 to 2028 | -150 | -20% | 900 | 120% | 750 |
2025 to 2035 | -160 | -6% | 2,800 | 106% | 2,700 |
Workforce projections – Victoria
Time period | Employment growth | Retirements | New workers expected5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Share | No. | Share | ||
2025 to 2028 | 143,000 | 38% | 230,000 | 62% | 373,000 |
2025 to 2035 | 650,000 | 45% | 804,000 | 55% | 1,454,000 |
Note: Totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.
New workers expected⁵ by industry subdivision from 2025 to 2028
Industry subdivision | Number of workers | VET | Higher education | No post-school qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying | 1,200 | 44% | 10% | 46% |
Coal mining | 360 | 53% | 16% | 31% |
Metal ore mining | 290 | 35% | 42% | 23% |
Occupations with high new workers expected⁵ with direct TAFE study pathways⁶ from 2025 to 2028
Occupation | New workers expected5 | TAFE pathways into occupation6 | Available under Free TAFE7 |
|---|---|---|---|
Truck drivers | 330 | Certificate III in Driving Operations | - |
Certificate IV in Specialist Driving Operations | - | ||
Earthmoving plant operators | 220 | Certificate III in Civil Construction | ✓ |
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations | ✓ | ||
Certificate II in Civil Construction | - | ||
Metal fitters and machinists | 90 | Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology | - |
Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade | - | ||
Other stationary plant operators | 90 | Certificate III in Civil Construction | ✓ |
Production managers | 80 | Certificate IV in Process Manufacturing | - |
Diploma of Surface Operations Management | - |
Western metropolitan (within metropolitan Melbourne) and Gippsland (within regional Victoria) are expecting the highest share of new workers
New workers expected⁵ for mining, by region⁸, from 2025 to 2028
New workers expected – industry
| Employment growth | Retirements | New workers expected 2028 | Share of total new workers expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Industry | -150 | 900 | 750 | <1% |
New workers expected – Metropolitan Melbourne
| Employment growth | Retirements | New workers expected 2028 | Share of total new workers expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Metropolitan Melbourne | 90 | 360 | 450 | 60% |
Western metropolitan | 220 | 40 | 260 | 58% |
Southern metropolitan | 40 | 60 | 100 | 21% |
Northern metropolitan | 50 | 40 | 90 | 20% |
Eastern metropolitan | 30 | 30 | 60 | 13% |
Inner south-east metropolitan | -50 | 20 | -20 | -6% |
Inner metropolitan | -210 | 180 | -30 | -8% |
New workers expected – Regional Victoria
| Employment growth | Retirements | New workers expected 2028 | Share of total new workers expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Regional Victoria | -240 | 540 | 300 | 40% |
Gippsland | 170 | 140 | 310 | 104% |
Barwon | 60 | 10 | 70 | 24% |
Goulburn | 40 | 10 | 40 | 14% |
Ovens Murray | 20 | 20 | 40 | 13% |
Mallee | 20 | 10 | 40 | 12% |
Great South Coast | 20 | 10 | 30 | 11% |
Wimmera Southern Mallee | -50 | 40 | -10 | -3% |
Central Highlands | -150 | 100 | -40 | -15% |
Loddon Campaspe | -370 | 190 | -180 | -60% |
Note: Totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.
- 60 per cent of new workers expected for the industry will be located within metropolitan Melbourne, with Western metropolitan and Southern metropolitan with the highest share of new workers
- 40 per cent of new workers expected for the industry will be located within regional Victoria, with Gippsland and Barwon with the highest share of new workers.
6 Top growing occupations
Top growing jobs in the industry are often VET aligned, with high workforce retention rates.
Occupations with the highest new workers expected within the mining industry
Occupations with highest new workers expected5 | New workers expected5 | Skill level9 | Annual median earnings10 | Retention rate11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Truck drivers | 330 | 4 | $69,628 | 85.9% |
Earthmoving plant operators | 220 | 4 | $77,412 | 85.6% |
Metal fitters and machinists | 90 | 3 | $94,744 | 89.2% |
Other stationary plant operators | 90 | 3,4 | $85,150 | 82.5% |
Production managers | 80 | 1 | $130,770 | 86.5% |
Bookkeepers | 70 | 3 | $76,419 | 83.3% |
Structural steel and welding trades workers | 50 | 3 | $79,737 | 87.7% |
Other building and engineering technicians | 40 | 2 | $136,401 | 86.1% |
Chemical, gas, petroleum and power generation plant operators | 20 | 3 | $178,500 | 85.4% |
Structural steel construction workers | 20 | 3,4 | $123,989 | 83.4% |
7 Skills needs
Skills in high demand within the industry include risk management and occupational health and safety.
Industry-specific skill demand
The most in-demand skills are risk management, occupational health and safety and general finance. Communication, initiative and leadership, and personal attributes (e.g. right attitude/mindset) are also important, with over 70 per cent of job advertisements within the industry mentioning one or more of these skills.
Most mentioned industry-specific skills in 2024 as a share of job advertisements
Industry-specific skill | Share of job ads |
|---|---|
Risk management | 13.7% |
Occupational health and | 13.3% |
General finance | 12.0% |
Data analysis | 11.7% |
General accounting | 9.5% |
Auditing | 9.4% |
Business solutions | 8.8% |
Financial management | 7.4% |
Financial analysis | 6.5% |
Investment management | 5.0% |
Growing skills mentions within industry
Skills increasingly being mentioned in job advertisements within the mining industry are manufacturing processes, machinery and mining engineering.
Note: these exclude industry-specific skills already identified as being in high demand
Growing skills as a percentage point difference in job advertisement mentions from 2019 to 2024
Industry-specific skill | Percentage of job ad mentions in 2019 | Percentage of job ad mentions in 2024 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturing processes | 4.7% | 20.4% | 15.7% |
Machinery | 2.3% | 12.2% | 9.9% |
Mining engineering | 10.2% | 19.0% | 8.9% |
Earth and space science | 6.2% | 12.9% | 6.7% |
Rehabilitation | 2.3% | 8.8% | 6.5% |
Automation engineering | 3.9% | 10.2% | 6.3% |
Civil and architectural engineering | 2.3% | 8.2% | 5.8% |
Power tools | 0.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
Human resources management and planning | 0.8% | 5.4% | 4.7% |
Performance management | 0.8% | 5.4% | 4.7% |
8 Training activity
Popular courses and study areas linked to this industry include the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations (VET) and Business management (HE).
Government-funded VET courses⁶
The Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations, Certificate IV in Surface Extraction Operations and Diploma of Surface Operations Management are among the most popular VET courses in the industry.
Course code | Course name | Available under Free TAFE7 |
|---|---|---|
RII30120 | - | |
RII40120 | - | |
RII50120 | - | |
UEP40122 | Certificate IV in ESI Generation | - |
RII60415 | Advanced Diploma of Drilling Management | - |
RII60220 | Advanced Diploma of Extractive Industries Management | - |
RII60120 | Advanced Diploma of Metalliferous Mining | - |
RII60720 | Advanced Diploma of Surface Coal Mining Management | - |
RII60320 | Advanced Diploma of Underground Coal Mining Management | - |
RII20920 | Certificate II in Drilling Operations | - |
Clicking the link will take you to the Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window), where you can find further information about the course, entry requirements, training providers and financial supports available.
University study areas
Popular university study areas aligned with this industry include business management, chemical engineering and project management.
FoE code | Field of education (FoE) |
|---|---|
080301 | Business management |
030301 | Chemical engineering |
080315 | Project management |
030101 | Manufacturing engineering |
030303 | Mining engineering |
030911 | Geotechnical engineering |
010703 | Geology |
010711 | Hydrology |
080317 | Quality management |
010709 | Soil science |
9 Appendix 1: Data notes
1. Employed: Refers to the estimated number of workers in the industry (working one or more paid hours per week) at the close of the financial year. The estimate is derived using the average of past observations.
2. Sex distribution: In the 2021 Census, respondents could select 1 of 3 options for the sex question: male, female or non-binary sex. Census data is only available for responses recorded as male or female.
3. Speaks a language other than English: Refers to individuals who use a non-English language in their household. The ABS collects this data through the Census.
4. Workers who need assistance with core activities: Are workers with a profound or severe core activity limitation in one or more areas of self-care, mobility and communication.
5. New workers expected: Refers to the estimated number of people needed to enter the workforce in each industry, occupation or region over a specified timeframe. It combines 2 elements:
- Employment growth – new jobs created as businesses and services expand
- Retirements – workers aged over 50 who are expected to permanently leave the workforce, based on patterns observed in tax and census data.
This figure shows how many new workers may be needed to both fill new roles and replace people exiting due to retirement. These are projections – informed estimates based on past trends, government policy and population forecasts.
6. TAFE study pathways: Refers to government-funded Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses that upon completion, provide a pathway into occupations.These pathways include courses at the same or lower skill level than the related ANZSCO 4-digit occupation or courses at a higher skill level with no barriers to entry such as prior qualifications or prerequisites. VET course pathways reflect funding as of November 2025 and the courses included in the 2026 Training Needs List. Funding for VET courses is regularly updated and is subject to change.
7. Free TAFE: Refers to Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses for which the Victorian Government provides free tuition for eligible students. The Free TAFE list reflects funding as of November 2025 and courses included in the 2026 Training Needs List. Funding for VET courses is regularly updated and is subject to change.
8. Regions: Are groupings of local government areas (LGAs) that align to the Victorian Government’s regional partnerships and former metropolitan partnerships.
9. Skill level: Reflects the level of educational attainment, training or experience needed to perform an occupation’s tasks. Skill levels:
- Skill level 1: Occupations typically require a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Skill level 2: Occupations typically require an associate degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma
- Skill level 3: Occupations typically require a Certificate III (including apprenticeship) or a Certificate IV
- Skill level 4: Occupations typically require a Certificate III (non-apprenticeship pathway) or a Certificate II
- Skill level 5: Occupations typically require a Certificate I or compulsory secondary education.
10. Median earnings: Is the estimated annual median earnings of full-time non-managerial employees in a selected occupation across Australia, based on ABS data from May 2023.
11. Retention rate: Measures the proportion of workers who remain in the same occupation from one financial year to the next, based on ATO data from 2021 to 2022.
9 Appendix 2: Data sources
Industry snapshot
Workforce overview
Victorian Skills Authority, Total new workers expected modelling, based on DJSIR employment projections, 2025.
Workforce profile
- Victorian Skills Authority, Total new workers expected modelling, based on DJSIR employment projections, 2025
- ABS, Census, Age in five-year groups by sex, ANZSIC1, 2021
- ABS, Census, Level of highest educational attainment, ANZSIC1, 2021.
Projections
Victorian Skills Authority, Total new workers expected modelling, based on DJSIR employment projections, 2025.
Regional outlook
Victorian Skills Authority, Total new workers expected modelling, based on DJSIR employment projections, 2025.
Skills demand
Lightcast, ANZ Postings, Victorian Skills Authority's analysis, 2024.
Skills supply
- NCVER, Total VET Activity (TVA) program enrolments, government-funded courses in Victoria, 2015 to 2023, VOCSTATS
- Australian Government Department of Education, higher education student enrolment by 6-digit ASCED Field of Education, 2024.
Workforce profile
Employment
Victorian Skills Authority, Total new workers expected modelling, based on DJSIR employment projections, 2025.
Workforce profile
- ABS, Census, Age in five-year groups by sex, ANZSIC1, 2021
- ABS, Census, Level of highest educational attainment, ANZSIC1, 2021.
Workforce diversity
- ABS, Census, Indigenous status ANZSIC1, 2021
- ABS, Census, Language used at home, ANZSIC1, 2021
- ABS, Census, Indigenous status ANZSIC1, 2021.
Top employing occupations
- ABS, Census, Age in five-year groups by sex, ANZSIC1, 2021
- ABS, Census, Industry of employment and labour force status by state, ANZSIC1, ANZSCO4, 2021
- ABS, Census, Level of highest educational attainment, ANZSIC1, 2021.
Workforce projections
- Victorian Skills Authority, Total new workers expected modelling, based on DJSIR employment projections, 2025.
Top growing occupations
Employment
Victorian Skills Authority, Total new workers expected modelling, based on DJSIR employment projections, 2025.
Skill level
ABS, Census, Occupation skill level (OCSKP), ANZSCO4, 2021.
Annual median earnings
ABS, Survey of employee earnings and hours, May 2023.
Retention rate
Australian Taxation Office, Occupation transition 2010 to 2011 to 2021 to 2022 income years.
Skills needs
- Lightcast, ANZ Postings, Victorian Skills Authority's analysis, 2024 and 2019 to 2024.
Training activity
- NCVER, Total VET Activity (TVA) program enrolments, government-funded courses in Victoria, 2015 to 2023, VOCSTATS
- Australian Government Department of Education, higher education student enrolment by 6-digit ASCED Field of Education, 2024.