How to hire mining workers with visa sponsorship

Mining roles you can sponsor

List status is from the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists as held in SponsorTalent's occupation data. The nominated occupation has to match the duties of the job, so check the ANZSCO description before you advertise. Production Manager (Mining) is on the short-term list only and in our list data is open to the regional 494, not the 482 or 186.

Who assesses them

Engineers Australia assesses mining, petroleum and production or plant engineers. VETASSESS assesses geologists and metallurgists (both Group A occupations) and mine deputies (Group C). Trades Recognition Australia assesses the trades: diesel motor mechanics, fitters, welders and electricians. A skills assessment is not needed for every 482: it applies where the Department's instrument lists the occupation for the worker's passport country. Electrical work also needs a licence from the state electrical regulator; see the electrician hire guide.

Sources: Legislation: assessing authorities instrument (Engineers Australia, VETASSESS) · VETASSESS: Geologist (234411) · VETASSESS: Metallurgist (234912) · VETASSESS: Mine Deputy (312913)

Drillers, operators and truck drivers: the labour agreement route

Drillers, mobile plant and machine operators, underground miners and truck drivers are not on the skilled occupation lists, so a standard 482 nomination is not available for them. The route is a labour agreement: a company-specific agreement, an industry labour agreement where one covers the role, or a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). The Goldfields and Pilbara DAMAs in Western Australia were built around the resources economy; the Designated Area Representative for each region confirms which occupations and concessions currently apply. See DAMA for employers and how to hire truck drivers.

What you must pay

A 482 Core Skills nomination must pay at least A$79,423 (nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027), and no less than the market rate an Australian worker is paid for the same job at the same site. Mining rates are often set by an enterprise agreement or the award covering the site, which is the market-rate evidence to use. Engineers, geologists and metallurgists are outside ANZSCO major groups 3, 7 and 8, so the 482 Specialist Skills stream is open to them at A$146,576 or more; the trades are in major group 3 and cannot use it. Check an offer with the sponsorship salary check.

Who sponsors in mining

SponsorTalent's directory, built from the Department of Home Affairs approved-sponsor data (April 2026 snapshot), tags 70 businesses as mining, including operators in Kalgoorlie, Karratha and Mount Isa: see mining companies that sponsor visas. Industry tags are incomplete for many listings, so the real number is higher.

Processing order is set by Ministerial Directions 121 and 122, in force since 19 September 2026; check the Department's page to see whether your occupation falls in a priority sector.

Source: Home Affairs: skilled visa processing priorities

The steps

1. Confirm the occupation. Match the role to a listed occupation above, or to a labour agreement or DAMA if it is not listed.
2. Advertise and find the worker. Labour market testing rules are in labour market testing for the 482; you can post a sponsored job or search candidates.
3. Sponsorship and nomination. Your business needs Standard Business Sponsorship (or a labour agreement) before it nominates. Costs are in the cost to sponsor a worker.
4. Visa. The worker lodges the visa after the nomination.

For the legal steps in your case, use a registered migration agent: WIDEN Migration Experts (MARN 1576536).

Frequently asked questions

Can a mining company sponsor overseas workers?

Yes. Mining, petroleum and plant engineers, geologists, metallurgists, mine deputies, diesel motor mechanics, fitters, welders and electricians are on the Core Skills Occupation List and eligible for the 482, 494 and 186. The business needs Standard Business Sponsorship first.

Can I sponsor a driller or machine operator?

Not on a standard 482, because those occupations are not on the skilled occupation lists. They can only be sponsored through a labour agreement, such as a DAMA covering the region where the mine is.

Who assesses mining engineers and geologists?

Engineers Australia assesses mining, petroleum and production or plant engineers. VETASSESS assesses geologists, metallurgists and mine deputies.

What is the minimum salary for a sponsored mining worker?

At least A$79,423 for 482 Core Skills nominations lodged in 2026–27, and no less than the market rate for the same job, which on many sites is set by an enterprise agreement.