By Jamie Douglas
Once again, Australia’s mining industry has informed the government of critical shortages of both skilled and unskilled labor. By the end of 2012, 170,000 jobs need to be filled. BHP Billiton is faced with the prospect of having to postpone plans for a AU$4 billion coal mine in central Queensland’s planned Caval Ridge mine if they cannot find enough workers.
As part of the permit approval process, BHP agreed to a government mandated 30% local hiring of the workforce. Try as both parties might, there are just not enough available locals with the necessary skill sets. The company has gone back to the government to ask for reconsideration of the rule, perhaps allowing them to go to an almost 100% fly-in workforce.
BHP plays hardball wherever in the world they operate. The necessity of having to train thousands of new hires is of course an unacceptable strain on profitability in the short term. It is a shame that they don’t look at having apprenticeships and other training programs. The creation of a skilled workforce would benefit them in the long term, as the minerals to be exploited will last for generations to come. But naturally, the cyclical downturn in the world’s economies allows this multinational behemoth to bargain with its prospective employees’ fiscal well being.
Currently there are many employment brokers busy trying to satisfy the ever increasing demand for mining jobs. Those interested in this type of work may contact the human resources departments of the involved mining companies directly, avoiding agency fees. After obtaining a written promise of employment from an established Australian company, it is easy to obtain the desired immigrant visa. Requirements are straightforward: You must be between eighteen and forty years of age, of good health and moral character, without any criminal convictions or being wanted by the authorities.
The skills shortage is not just in the field of mining. There is a great need for geologists, engineers, equipment maintenance, medical staff, food service industry, as well as drivers for those monster trucks that carry ore from the mines to smelters and transport terminals.
The acute labor shortage is affecting many businesses in the Queensland region, with even fast food outlets such as the McDonalds in Mount Isa having to offer unusual incentives to bring workers in from the outside. Current pay and benefits include AU$725 weekly starting salary, payment of moving expenses, a free bus ride back to where you came from if you stay 6 months, or a flight back if you stay over 6 months, in addition to the usual social benefits. The manager of the one and only McDonalds in this outback town had to resort to advertising in far away Brisbane, trying to make burger-flipping more attractive by combining the work experience with all the joys of a lengthy stay in the outback.
While most retail and service industry jobs offer a starting salary of upwards of AU$20, the mines pay roughly double that, causing a great loss of educated young minds, as both boys and girls are dropping out of school to take up the well paying jobs. Consequently, the labor pool in any inhabited mining area is depleted quickly by the mining industries.
In West Australia, where most of the jobs are filled from Perth and surrounding areas, workers are flown in on a rotating basis to alleviate burnout.
For anybody looking at gaining residency in Oz, the opportunity is now, if you are willing and able to adapt to way of life in the Australian Outback: work hard and party harder.
Jamie Douglas
San Rafael, Mendoza
Where fortunately we don’t have to mine those lovely Malbec Grapes!
I encourage you to write to me, jamie@expatdailynews.com with any questions or suggestions you may have, and if necessary, we can establish a voice communication via Skype. Disclaimer: I am not in any travel related business. My advice is based on my own experiences, and is free of charge. (Donations accepted). It is always my pleasure to act as a beneficial counselor to those who are seekers of the next adventure.
Jamie Douglas is an Adventurer, Writer and Photographer with an amazing array of Nikon equipment, and a lifetime of experience traveling and documenting. To contact him for assignments, email: jamie.douglas [at] yahoo.com
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