Construction labourers have some of the most transferable skills for mining roles in Australia. If you've worked on building sites, civil projects, or infrastructure construction, you already possess many of the competencies that mining companies actively recruit for - safety awareness, physical fitness, equipment familiarity, and the ability to work in demanding outdoor environments.
With mining labourer and general hand roles paying $70,000 to $110,000+ on FIFO rosters, the pay increase from construction to mining can be substantial. This guide shows you how to position your construction experience to land your first mining role.
Quick Stats
Salary Range: $70,000 - $110,000+ (including FIFO allowances) Work Arrangement: FIFO (typically 2/1 or 8/6 rosters) Key Certifications: White Card, Standard 11, HR Licence, Working at Heights
Construction Laborer Resume Example
Marcus Taylor
Construction Laborer
Professional Summary
Physically fit and safety-conscious construction labourer with 6+ years of experience across civil, commercial, and residential construction projects in South East Queensland. Skilled in operating small plant (bobcats, excavators <5T, compactors), concrete work, and structural steel assistance. Strong safety record with zero incidents across multiple high-risk construction environments. Holds White Card, Standard 11 Mining Induction, HR Licence, and Working at Heights certification. Seeking to transition into FIFO mining roles.
Employment History
Construction Labourer / Plant Operator
BMD Constructions, Brisbane, QLD
- Perform general labouring and small plant operation on major civil infrastructure projects valued at $50M+
- Operate bobcats, mini excavators, compactors, and elevated work platforms in confined and high-traffic areas
- Complete daily pre-start inspections, JSAs, and SWMS documentation for all assigned tasks
- Work in crews of 8-12 across day and night shifts in all weather conditions
Construction Labourer
Hutchinson Builders, Brisbane, QLD
- Assisted trades teams on commercial high-rise construction projects up to 30 storeys
- Performed concrete pours, formwork stripping, steel fixing assistance, and site cleanup
- Operated hand and power tools including grinders, drills, concrete saws, and vibrators
- Maintained clean work areas and managed material deliveries to active work fronts
General Labourer
Programmed Skilled Workforce, Brisbane, QLD
- Provided labour hire services across multiple construction and industrial sites
- Adapted quickly to different site requirements, safety systems, and crew structures
- Completed shutdown maintenance labouring tasks at Incitec Pivot chemical plant
- Gained exposure to industrial environments with strict safety and permit requirements
Education
Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations)
TAFE QLD, Brisbane, QLD
Certifications & Training
Skills
Bullet Point Assistant
1. What did you do?
2. What metric did you improve and in what time span?
3. Connect your action to your strategy.
Key Sections of a Construction-to-Mining Resume
Professional Summary
Your summary must bridge the gap between construction and mining. Highlight the skills and attributes that overlap directly.
Strong Summary Elements
- +Highlight construction skills that transfer to mining
- +Mention mining-specific certifications already obtained
- +Reference safety record and compliance awareness
- +Show understanding of FIFO work and physical demands
Avoid These Weaknesses
- -Focus only on construction-specific terminology
- -No mention of mining induction or tickets
- -Missing safety record or incident history
- -No reference to FIFO readiness or willingness
Employment History Tips
Frame your construction experience in mining-relevant language. Many tasks are identical - the terminology just differs.
- Safety systems - JSAs, SWMS, pre-starts, toolbox talks (same in mining)
- Equipment - Small plant, trucks, hand tools (directly applicable)
- Physical demands - Outdoor work, heavy lifting, extended shifts
- Site inductions - Multiple site inductions show adaptability
Translate Your Language
Construction and mining use the same safety systems but sometimes different names. "SWMS" in construction is the same as a "JHA" or "JSA" in mining. "Pre-start" is universal. If you've done shutdowns at industrial plants, that experience is gold for mining applications.
Essential Certifications
Getting your mining induction before applying is the single most important step for transitioning from construction to mining.
Must-Have Certifications for Construction-to-Mining Transition
- Standard 11 Mining Induction (or state equivalent) - GET THIS FIRST
- White Card (Construction Induction) - you likely already have this
- HR Truck Licence (minimum) - HC preferred for mining
- Working at Heights
- Confined Space Entry
- First Aid Certificate
- EWP Licence (beneficial for maintenance roles)
- Manual Handling
Skills to Highlight
Construction Skills That Transfer to Mining
Direct Transfers:
- Pre-start inspections and equipment checks
- JSA/SWMS/JHA completion and compliance
- PPE usage and maintenance
- Working in extreme weather conditions
- Extended shift work (10-12+ hours)
- Crew coordination and radio communication
Equipment:
- Bobcats and skid steers
- Mini excavators (under 5 tonne)
- Compactors and rollers
- Elevated work platforms
- Hand and power tools (grinders, drills, saws)
- Trucks (rigid and articulated)
Site Skills:
- Multi-site inductions and adaptability
- Working near live traffic and services
- Confined space awareness
- Working at heights
- Material handling and logistics
- Housekeeping and site cleanup
Construction to Mining: What You Need to Know
Why Construction Workers Succeed in Mining
Mining companies actively recruit from construction for good reason:
- Safety culture - Construction has rigorous WHS systems identical to mining
- Physical capability - Construction labourers are accustomed to demanding physical work
- Equipment familiarity - Small plant, trucks, and hand tools are used across both industries
- Shift work - Night shifts, weekend work, and extended hours are common in construction
- Outdoor conditions - Working in heat, dust, and rain is standard
Common Entry Points for Construction Workers
| Mining Role | Construction Equivalent | Why It's a Good Fit |
|---|---|---|
| General Hand | Construction Labourer | Same skills, different site |
| Trade Assistant | Trade Assistant | Identical role, mining site |
| Service Crew | Site Services | Refuelling, water, ancillary |
| Shutdown Labourer | Shutdown Labourer | Often same labour hire companies |
| Plant Operator (Small) | Plant Operator | Same machines, different material |
"Construction labourers are our best candidates for mining general hand roles. They understand safety systems, they're used to physical work, and they know how to follow instructions on a busy site. The main thing they need is their Standard 11 - once they have that, we can place them."
Shutdown Work: The Bridge Between Industries
If you've worked on construction shutdowns at industrial plants, power stations, or refineries, this experience is particularly valuable:
- Demonstrates ability to work in industrial safety environments
- Shows familiarity with permit-to-work systems
- Proves you can adapt to different sites quickly
- Indicates comfort with extended shift patterns
Making the Transition
Step-by-Step Plan
- Get your Standard 11 Mining Induction - This is the non-negotiable first step
- Upgrade your licence - Get your HR or ideally HC truck licence
- Update your resume - Reframe construction experience in mining language
- Register with mining labour hire - WorkPac, Programmed, Hays, Chandler Macleod
- Target shutdown work first - Many labour hire companies do both construction and mining shutdowns
- Accept any mining role initially - Get on-site, prove yourself, then pursue preferred roles
Leverage Your Existing Labour Hire Relationships
If you're already registered with labour hire companies like Programmed, WorkPac, or Hays, ask your consultant about mining roles. Many of these agencies service both construction and mining clients, and your existing relationship and track record can fast-track your transition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Strong Resume Elements
- +Mining induction obtained before applying
- +Construction experience framed in mining language
- +Safety record clearly documented
- +Shutdown or industrial experience highlighted
Weaknesses to Address
- -No Standard 11 or mining induction listed
- -Resume reads purely as construction with no mining relevance
- -Missing HR/HC licence
- -No mention of willingness to work FIFO
Ready to Make the Switch?
The transition from construction to mining is one of the most natural career moves in the Australian resources sector. With your existing skills, the right certifications, and a resume that speaks mining language, you can significantly increase your earning potential while working in a familiar type of environment.
Next Steps
- Complete your Standard 11 Mining Induction
- Obtain your HR or HC Truck Licence
- Update your resume using this guide
- Browse mining jobs on Resource Jobs
- Register with mining-focused labour hire agencies
Looking for more mining resume examples? Check out our guides for FIFO & Entry-Level Mining, Haul Truck Operator, Boilermaker, and Mining Supervisor roles.