How can you become a dump truck driver in mining in Western Australia. What does it pay?

Question

Have got no experience driving trucks but heard stories on 60 minutes about ordinary people getting jobs as dump truck drivers working in the mines in Western Australia with good pay (aprox $100K annually) how do you apply. Where do you get the training?

Answer 1

It depends on the mine and also the type of materials carted.

Most mines wont take someone with no experience at all. It helps if you have a HR, or HC licence. This shows you can actually drive a truck. Some mines will take cleanskins, but it is very rare.

You should phone around local driver traning schools and ask about either getting a truck licence, or training to drive a pit truck. Its not cheap and will cost you a minimum of $1000, but its possible to make that back in a week or so if you are accepted.

Answer 2

Highly unlikely a mine site will take on inexperienced persons. First mistake was to listen to 60 minutes all their stories are loads of c**p. At least it got you interested in something like that.

A good start would be to have or get your truck licence. To find out go onto the mining companies website and e-mail them asking what needs to be done to work for them. Hamersley Iron/Pilbara Iron, BHP, Rio Tinto etc. Also find the employment agencies in the mining towns Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Tom Price (if they have them) etc. They could point you in the right direction.

If your on $100k a year driving one of them your getting ripped off. Most of the people i know who drive them are on $150-200k housing and other benifits.

There is alot involved but they can/should tell you what exactly.

P.S. Fly in/Fly out general labourers (no trade) can get upwards and over $100k