Tom Price, Western Australia: Mining Jobs and Town Guide
Tom Price is in the Pilbara area of Western Australia. The ABS 2021 Census counted 2,910 people for the Suburbs and Localities (SAL). Every fact below links to the page it came from.
Last checked 10 October 2026. Operations, services and airlines change, so confirm with the operator, council or airport before you plan a move.
Key facts
- State
- Western Australia
- Region
- Pilbara
- Population
- 2,910 people, Suburbs and Localities (SAL), median age 32ABS 2021 Census, geography: Tom Price
- Main commodity
- Iron ore
- Council
- Shire of Ashburton
- Last checked
- 10 October 2026
Mining and industry around Tom Price
Rio Tinto places the Tom Price mine in the central Pilbara, west of Karijini National Park.
Source: Rio Tinto, Tom Price Marandoo, checked 10 October 2026Rio Tinto calls Tom Price its original Pilbara iron ore mine, open since 1966. The Greater Tom Price hub also includes Marandoo (began 1994, about 50 km east of Tom Price) and Western Turner Syncline 1 and 2, about 21 km west and 35 km north-west of Tom Price.
Source: Rio Tinto, Tom Price Marandoo, checked 10 October 2026Rio Tinto's Paraburdoo iron ore operation is around 80 km southwest of Tom Price and started production in 1972. The new Western Range mine, 54% Rio Tinto and 46% China Baowu, has capacity of 25 million tonnes a year. Rio Tinto says it supports more than 880 residential and FIFO employees at Paraburdoo.
Source: Rio Tinto, Greater Paraburdoo, checked 10 October 2026A February 2021 Rio Tinto release says construction of Western Turner Syncline Phase 2 began in early 2020, with a workforce of over 1,000 people at peak construction.
Source: Rio Tinto, media release 26 February 2021, checked 10 October 2026
Getting to Tom Price
Paraburdoo Airport
The Shire of Ashburton says Paraburdoo Airport, 9 km north-east of Paraburdoo, serves Paraburdoo and Tom Price, with bus services covering the extra 71 km to Tom Price.
Source: Shire of Ashburton, Paraburdoo, checked 10 October 2026We list airlines as published by the airport or council. We do not list fares or flight times.
Residents and FIFO
As at a 26 February 2021 release, Rio Tinto said Rio Tinto Iron Ore employed more than 50 per cent of workers living in Tom Price.
Source: Rio Tinto, media release 26 February 2021, checked 10 October 2026Mining jobs in Tom Price
The operator pages cited above name these employers. Their careers pages list current roles.
Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto careers
For other employers and the job boards that list FIFO roles, see FIFO jobs: where to apply.
These guides cover what sites ask for and what roles pay.
Tom Price questions answered
How many people live in Tom Price?
The ABS 2021 Census counted 2,910 people for Tom Price, measured as a Suburbs and Localities (SAL). The median age was 32. Other ABS geography types give different counts for the same place, so check the type before you compare towns.
What is mined or exported around Tom Price?
Main commodity: iron ore (Rio Tinto, Tom Price Marandoo). Rio Tinto calls Tom Price its original Pilbara iron ore mine, open since 1966. The Greater Tom Price hub also includes Marandoo (began 1994, about 50 km east of Tom Price) and Western Turner Syncline 1 and 2, about 21 km west and 35 km north-west of Tom Price.
Can you fly to Tom Price?
The Shire of Ashburton says Paraburdoo Airport, 9 km north-east of Paraburdoo, serves Paraburdoo and Tom Price, with bus services covering the extra 71 km to Tom Price.
Is Tom Price a residential or FIFO town?
As at a 26 February 2021 release, Rio Tinto said Rio Tinto Iron Ore employed more than 50 per cent of workers living in Tom Price.
Which mining companies hire around Tom Price?
The operator pages cited above name Rio Tinto. Apply through its careers page, or see the FIFO jobs hub for other employers and job boards.