Your complete guide to high-paying electrical work in Australia’s mining industry
Introduction
Electricians are among the highest-paid and most in-demand tradespeople in Australia’s mining industry. With salaries ranging from $130,000 to well over $220,000 per year, FIFO electrical work offers exceptional earning potential – often double or triple what you’d earn in metropolitan areas.
This guide covers everything you need to know about FIFO electrician jobs: what the work involves, how much you can earn, what qualifications you need, and how to break into this lucrative sector.
FIFO Electrician Salary Guide (2025)
By Experience Level
| Experience Level | Annual Salary Range | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years mining) | $130,000 – $150,000 | $55 – $65 |
| Experienced (3-5 years mining) | $150,000 – $180,000 | $65 – $80 |
| Senior/Leading Hand | $180,000 – $200,000 | $80 – $90 |
| Supervisor/Superintendent | $200,000 – $220,000+ | $90 – $100+ |
By Specialisation
High Voltage (HV) Electricians: $160,000 – $220,000+ (premium for 11kV, 33kV, 66kV experience)
Instrumentation & Control (I&C): $150,000 – $200,000 (growing demand with automation)
Auto Electricians (Mining): $140,000 – $190,000 (specialised mobile plant experience)
Maintenance Electricians: $130,000 – $180,000 (most common entry point)
Shutdown/Project Electricians: $160,000 – $200,000+ (intensive project work)
What’s Included
- Base salary as listed above
- Superannuation (11.5%)
- All flights to and from the site
- Accommodation and meals on site
- Living Away from Home Allowance (LAFHA) in some cases
- Overtime is often built into the roster
- Retention and performance bonuses (common)
Total Package Value: A $160,000 base salary typically represents $200,000+ in total value when you factor in free accommodation, meals, and travel.
Types of Electrical Work in Mining
Maintenance Electrician
The most common role and typical entry point for metro sparkies entering mining.
What You’ll Do:
- Preventive and breakdown maintenance on fixed plant and infrastructure
- Fault finding and repairs on conveyors, crushers, screens, and pumps
- Motor control centre (MCC) maintenance
- Lighting, power distribution, and general electrical systems
- Working on maintenance schedules and work orders
Skills Needed: Solid trade fundamentals, fault-finding ability, willingness to learn mining-specific equipment.
High Voltage (HV) Electrician
Premium-paying specialisation working on high-voltage systems.
What You’ll Do:
- Work on 11kV, 33kV, and 66kV systems
- Substation maintenance and switching
- HV cable installation and terminations
- Transformer maintenance
- HV switching and isolation procedures
Requirements: HV switching authorisation, specific HV training and experience, understanding of AS2067 and relevant standards.
Salary Premium: HV electricians typically earn $20,000-$40,000 more than standard maintenance electricians.
Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Technician
Growing demand with increased automation in mining.
What You’ll Do:
- Maintain and calibrate sensors, transmitters, and analysers
- PLC and SCADA system maintenance
- Process control loop tuning
- Communication systems (fibre, radio, networking)
- Automation system troubleshooting
Requirements: Certificate III in Electrotechnology or Instrumentation, experience with PLC systems (Allen Bradley, Siemens, ABB), understanding of 4-20mA, HART, Profibus.
Auto Electrician (Mining)
Specialised work on mobile mining equipment.
What You’ll Do:
- Electrical systems on haul trucks, excavators, loaders, and drills
- Diagnostic and fault-finding on Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Liebherr equipment
- Engine management systems
- Autonomous haulage system (AHS) components
- Air conditioning and climate control
Requirements: Auto electrical trade qualification, experience with heavy earthmoving equipment, manufacturer training (Cat, Komatsu, etc.).
Shutdown/Project Electrician
Intensive work during planned maintenance shutdowns or new construction.
What You’ll Do:
- Work extended hours during time-critical shutdowns
- Major equipment overhauls and replacements
- New installations and commissioning
- Brownfield construction projects
Roster: Often non-standard – might be 21 days straight with minimal breaks, then extended time off—high intensity but high pay.
Underground Electrician
Specialised work in underground mining operations.
What You’ll Do:
- Maintain underground electrical systems
- Work in confined, challenging environments
- Specialised underground equipment
- Ventilation and safety systems
Requirements: Underground inductions, specific safety training, and comfortable working in confined spaces.
Requirements and Qualifications
Essential Requirements
- Electrical Licence – Valid state electrical licence (e.g., A Grade in Victoria, Qualified Supervisor Certificate in NSW)
- White Card – General Construction Induction Card (CPCWHS1001)
- Driver’s Licence – Minimum C Class; HR or HC licence is advantageous
- Medical Clearance – Pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol screening
- Right to Work – Australian citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid work visa
Highly Desirable
- High Voltage switching authorisation – Opens up premium HV roles
- Working at Heights – Required for most sites
- Confined Space Entry – Common requirement
- First Aid – Often required for supervisory roles
- LV Rescue/CPR – Electrical-specific rescue training
- Forklift Licence (LF) – Useful for workshop roles
- EWP Licence – Elevated Work Platform ticket
Site-Specific Inductions
- BHP – BHP Passport induction
- Rio Tinto – Rio Tinto site access
- Fortescue (FMG) – FMG induction
- Glencore – Glencore induction
Most major companies have their own induction requirements. Your employer typically arranges these.
A Typical Day as a FIFO Electrician
Day Shift (Maintenance Electrician)
- 5:00 AM – Wake up, breakfast at the mess
- 5:30 AM – Collect tools, review work orders
- 6:00 AM – Pre-start meeting, toolbox talk, job allocation
- 6:30 AM – Begin first job (e.g., motor replacement on conveyor)
- 10:00 AM – Smoko break (morning tea)
- 10:30 AM – Continue work or start next job
- 12:30 PM – Lunch break
- 1:00 PM – Afternoon work (e.g., fault finding on crusher)
- 3:00 PM – Afternoon break
- 3:30 PM – Continue work, complete paperwork
- 5:30 PM – Clean up, return tools, handover to night shift
- 6:00 PM – Shift ends, return to camp
- 6:30 PM – Dinner, gym, recreation
- 9:00 PM – Rest before the next day
How to Get Your First FIFO Electrician Job
Step 1: Ensure Your Qualifications Are Current
- Current state electrical licence (not lapsed)
- CPR and LV Rescue (current)
- White Card (get it if you don’t have it)
Step 2: Get Additional Tickets
Invest in these tickets to make yourself more competitive:
- Working at Heights (~$200-300)
- Confined Space Entry (~$200-300)
- First Aid (~$150-200)
- HR or HC driver’s licence (if possible)
Step 3: Build a Mining-Focused Resume
Highlight:
- All tickets and certifications (list clearly at the top)
- Heavy industrial experience (if you have any)
- Fault-finding and problem-solving abilities
- Willingness to work in remote locations and rosters
- Physical fitness and a clean drug/alcohol record
Step 4: Register with Mining Recruitment Agencies
Key agencies for electricians:
- Hays Resources & Mining – Strong electrical focus
- Chandler Macleod – Large mining portfolio
- WorkPac – Major mining recruiter
- Programmed – Strong maintenance focus
- Mining People International (MPi) – Specialist mining recruiter
- Globe 24-7 – Mining and resources specialist
Step 5: Apply Directly to Major Companies
Check careers pages regularly:
- BHP Careers
- Rio Tinto Careers
- Fortescue Careers
- South32 Careers
- Glencore Careers
- Thiess Careers (contract mining)
- Downer Careers
Step 6: Consider Contract Mining Companies
Often easier to get a start with:
- Thiess
- Downer
- Macmahon
- Perenti (Barminco, MACA)
- Byrnecut
- NRW Holdings
These companies operate across multiple sites and often have higher turnover, creating more opportunities.
Tips for Success
- Be persistent – It can take 3-6 months to land your first role
- Be flexible on location – Don’t limit yourself to one site or region
- Accept the roster offered – Even if it’s not your ideal, you can change it later
- Start with maintenance – The most accessible entry point
- Build relationships – Network within the industry
- Stay drug-free – Random testing is standard; one positive test ends your career.
Career Progression
Typical Pathway
- Maintenance Electrician – Entry point (1-3 years)
- Experienced/Senior Electrician – Higher complexity work (3-5 years)
- Leading Hand – Supervise small teams (5+ years)
- Electrical Supervisor – Manage electrical crew (7+ years)
- Electrical Superintendent – Senior management (10+ years)
- Maintenance Manager – Site leadership (15+ years)
Specialisation Pathways
- HV Specialist – Focus on high voltage systems
- I&C Specialist – Move into instrumentation and control
- Reliability Engineer – Technical specialist role
- Project Electrician – Focus on construction and shutdowns
- Training/Assessor – Develop and train others
Common Questions
Q: Do I need mining experience to get a FIFO electrician job?
A: Not necessarily. Many companies hire electricians with substantial industrial experience. Maintenance roles in manufacturing, processing, or heavy industry are valued.
Q: Is the work harder than metro electrical work?
A: It’s different. The hours are longer (12-hour shifts), the environment can be harsh (heat, dust), and the equipment is larger. But many find it more rewarding and varied.
Q: How long until I can specialise in HV?
A: You can start working towards HV authorisation from your first mining role. Some companies offer training pathways; others require you to gain experience first. Typically, 1-2 years to get initial HV authorisation.
Q: What’s the work-life balance like?
A: It depends on your roster. An 8:6 roster gives you six consecutive days at home every fortnight. A 2:1 means 7 days at home after 14 days away. Read our FIFO Roster guide →
Q: Can I transfer my interstate licence?
A: Yes, through mutual recognition. See our Mutual Recognition guide →
Resources
Job Boards
- SEEK: seek.com.au/fifo-electrician-jobs
- Indeed: au.indeed.com
Industry Bodies
- NECA: neca.asn.au
- Master Electricians: masterelectricians.com.au
Conclusion
FIFO electrician jobs offer some of the best earning potential in the Australian trades. With salaries ranging from $130,000 to over $220,000, the financial rewards are significant. The work is demanding but varied, and the career progression opportunities are excellent.
If you’re a licensed electrician looking to boost your income, develop new skills, and experience a unique working environment, FIFO mining could be your next career move.
Start by ensuring your qualifications are up to date, getting additional tickets, registering with specialist recruiters, and being persistent. Your first FIFO electrical role could be just weeks away.
Last updated: November 2025
Disclaimer: Salaries and conditions vary by employer, role, and location. Information in this guide is for general reference only.