Where are the mining jobs in Queensland?
In two main regions, according to the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO) Resource Employment Survey.
Bowen Basin: coal in central Queensland
About 47,530 people worked in the Bowen Basin resource industry in June 2025, across 47 operating coal mines. Coal mining accounted for 44,580 of them (94%). QGSO says the basin contains most of Australia’s high quality metallurgical coal reserves, as well as significant thermal coal deposits. By local government area, Isaac had 30,835 workers (65%), Central Highlands 11,010 (23%), Banana 4,150 (9%), and the Bowen part of Whitsunday 1,535 (3%). Isaac holds 8 of the 13 largest coal mines, each with more than 1,000 workers.
North West: Mount Isa and Cloncurry
About 8,305 people worked in the North West resource industry in June 2025, and metalliferous mining made up 7,380 of them (89%). By area, Mount Isa (including Burke) had 4,365 (53%), Cloncurry 2,530 (30%) and McKinlay 1,410 (17%). QGSO’s 2024 report lists copper, gold, lead, silver, vanadium and zinc among the region’s output, much of it shipped through the Port of Townsville, and says Mount Isa Mines was established in 1924.
| Measure, June 2025 | Bowen Basin | North West |
|---|---|---|
| People working in resources | About 47,530 | About 8,305 |
| Main sector | Coal, 44,580 (94%) | Metalliferous, 7,380 (89%) |
| Employees | 20,070 (42%) | 5,665 (68%) |
| Contractors | 27,460 (58%) | 2,640 (32%) |
Who are the major mining employers in Queensland?
These companies state, on their own websites, that they operate in Queensland. We checked each site on 8 October 2026. It is a starting list from our company directory, not a ranking and not a list of who is hiring.
| Company | Operations stated on its own site | Careers page |
|---|---|---|
| Stanmore Resources | South Walker Creek (35 km east of Moranbah) and Isaac Plains, both in Queensland's Bowen Basin. | Careers |
| Coronado Global Resources | Operates in the Bowen Basin, Queensland, as one of its two metallurgical coal basins. | Careers |
| Yancoal | Yarrabee, in the Bowen Basin, Queensland. | Careers |
| Glencore | Collinsville Open Cut, Hail Creek Open Cut and Mount Isa Mines are listed among its Queensland operations. | Careers |
| Rio Tinto | Queensland operations listed include Gladstone (Boyne Smelters, Queensland Alumina, Yarwun) and Weipa. | Careers |
| Whitehaven Coal | Blackwater Mine, Daunia Mine and the Winchester South project, listed under QLD on its operations page. | Careers |
| New Hope Group | New Acland, 27 km north-west of Oakey in south-east Queensland (not the Bowen Basin). | Careers |
Our company data holds head office locations only, so we do not list a site for Anglo American, BHP, Peabody (head offices: Anglo American, London; BHP, Melbourne; Peabody, St. Louis). We have not verified their Queensland operations for this guide. A head office is not a mine site.
What tickets do you need for Queensland mining?
For a Queensland coal mine, two things come up again and again:
- Standard 11. The Queensland Coal Mining Induction under Recognised Standard 11. It sits alongside the site induction. See the Standard 11 guide for what it covers, how long it takes and what providers charge.
- Coal board medical. Now the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme. Business Queensland says it is needed before you start and at least every 5 years, with the employer arranging and paying. See the coal board medical guide.
Standard 11 is a coal mine standard. We have not verified the induction requirements for mineral mines such as those around Mount Isa, so ask the employer what it requires. For other tickets and licences, browse the tickets and certificates directory. To compare pay, use the salary calculator.
Where do Queensland mine workers live?
Often not where they work. QGSO could identify the home location of 35,665 Bowen Basin workers in June 2025, and 74% of them worked in a different local government area from where they lived. The Mackay region supplied 7,785 (22%), Rockhampton and Gladstone 3,855 (11%), South East Queensland 7,065 and the Townsville region 1,625. About 25% of all Bowen Basin workers had unknown residence.
The North West is more local: 40% of workers with a known home location lived and worked in the same area, 30% came from North Queensland (Townsville 1,600, Cairns 560) and 22% from South East Queensland. Mount Isa is about 900 km from Townsville and about 1,800 km from Brisbane. See our FIFO guide for how rosters work.
How do you apply for a mining job in Queensland?
Apply through the employer’s own careers page. These links come from our company data:
- Stanmore Resources careers
- Coronado Global Resources careers
- Yancoal careers
- Glencore careers
- Rio Tinto careers
- Whitehaven Coal careers
- New Hope Group careers
- BHP careers
- Peabody careers
- Anglo American careers
With no experience, start with mining jobs with no experience.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the mining jobs in Queensland?
Mainly the Bowen Basin (coal, central Queensland) and the North West around Mount Isa (copper, zinc, lead and other metals). The Queensland Government Statistician's Office counted about 47,530 people working in the Bowen Basin resource industry in June 2025, and about 8,305 in the North West.
Do I need Standard 11 to work at a Queensland coal mine?
Standard 11 is the induction used for Queensland coal mines. Check with the employer what it requires before you book a course, because requirements differ by site and role. Our Standard 11 guide covers what it is, who offers it and what it costs.
Do I need a coal board medical for Queensland coal mining?
Yes for workers in high-risk tasks at Queensland coal mines. Business Queensland says the assessment is needed before starting work as a mine worker and when changing employers, then at least every 5 years, and the employer arranges and pays for it. See our coal board medical guide.
Do most Bowen Basin coal workers live locally?
No. QGSO could identify the home location of 35,665 Bowen Basin workers in June 2025, and 74% of them worked in a different local government area from where they lived. The Mackay region supplied 7,785 (22%), Rockhampton and Gladstone 3,855 (11%) and South East Queensland 7,065. About 25% of all workers had unknown residence.
Are most Queensland mining workers contractors?
In the Bowen Basin, yes: contractors were 27,460 (58%) of the workforce and direct employees 20,070 (42%) in June 2025. In the North West it was the other way round, with employees 5,665 (68%) and contractors 2,640 (32%).
Sources
Last updated 8 October 2026. Facts on this page come from the sources below.
- Queensland Government Statistician's Office: Bowen Basin resource industry workforce 2025 (PDF)
- Queensland Government Statistician's Office: North West region resource industry workforce 2025 (PDF)
- Business Queensland: Frequency and content of coal mine workers' health assessments
Workforce figures are persons working in the resource industry on the survey date, as reported by the Statistician’s Office, not job vacancies. We do not quote vacancy numbers or salaries on this page.
Where to next
- Standard 11 induction Queensland coal mine training, cost and providers.
- Coal board medical The Queensland coal mine workers' health assessment.
- Mining jobs with no experience Entry roles and how to apply.
- FIFO meaning and rosters Fly-in fly-out and drive-in drive-out work.
- Salary calculator Work out pay from award rates.
- Mining tickets and certificates What employers ask for, with providers.
Not sure where to start?
Take the free career quiz to see which mining roles suit you and which tickets they usually ask for.
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