Mining Jobs in Australia Over 40: Why Age Is Not the Problem (And What Actually Matters)

Let’s clear this up immediately.

47 is not old.
Not in mining.
Not in Australia.
Not even close.

Yet one of the most common questions I get — especially from people considering a career change — is: “Am I too old to get into mining?”

After 25 years working across mining, recruitment and career coaching, I can confidently say this: Age is almost never the reason people miss out on mining jobs.

At W1N W1N, we work with candidates in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who successfully transition into entry level mining jobs, FIFO roles, and long-term Australian mining careers.

The problem isn’t age.
The problem is direction and positioning.

Why People Think Mining Is a “Young Person’s Game”

Mining looks physical from the outside, so people assume:

• It’s only for young workers

• You need to “start early”

• Career changers are at a disadvantage

That assumption is wrong.

Mining companies actually value:

• Reliability

• Life experience

• Safety awareness

• Strong work ethic

• Professional communication

These traits often improve with age, not decline.

The Real Question You Should Be Asking

Instead of asking “Am I too old?”, the better question is: “What specific mining role am I targeting?”

Mining is not one job — it’s hundreds.

There are roles across:

• Operations

• Maintenance

• Logistics

• IT

• Admin

• Safety

• Training

• Compliance

The key is narrowing down which aspect of mining aligns with your background and goals.

How to Find the Right Mining Roles (Practically)

Once you know your target field, the process becomes simple — not overwhelming.

Here’s what I recommend:

Go Direct to Major Mining Company Websites

Large operators like Woodside regularly advertise roles directly on their careers pages.

These roles often:

• Don’t sit on SEEK for long

• Have clearer requirements

• Value transferable experience

If you’re serious about mining jobs in Western Australia, start here.

2. Use SEEK Properly (Most People Don’t)

SEEK is still a powerful tool — when used correctly.

In the search bar:

• Enter your specific field or speciality (e.g. IT, admin, operator, safety)

• Select your state — ideally Western Australia, where the majority of mining jobs are located

This instantly filters out noise and shows you realistic opportunities.

Why Location Matters More Than Age

If you’re flexible with location — especially open to Western Australia — your chances increase dramatically.

WA is the engine room of Australian mining:

• More projects

• More FIFO roles

• More entry points

Being in the right state often matters more than your date of birth.

The Resume Rule That Makes or Breaks Your Application

Here’s where many experienced candidates unknowingly fall down.

Your resume must be ATS compliant.

That means:

• Clean formatting

• Clear job titles

• Correct keywords

• No fancy graphics or tables

If your resume isn’t ATS-friendly, recruiters may never see it — regardless of your experience.

This is one of the most common issues we fix at W1N W1N, especially for career changers over 40.

Why Experience Is an Advantage (If Positioned Correctly)

Older candidates often bring:

• Leadership skills

• Accountability

• Safety-first mindset

• Transferable industry experience

But if that experience isn’t translated into mining language, it gets overlooked.

This is where professional mining resume tips and career coaching matter.

It’s not about hiding your age.
It’s about highlighting relevance.

If you’re 47 (or older) and thinking about mining, let me be clear:

You are not too old.
You are only under-positioned.

Mining companies don’t hire ages — they hire value.

At W1N W1N, we help candidates of all ages identify the right roles, position their experience correctly, and apply strategically — without overwhelm or wasted effort.

If you want personalised help identifying the right mining pathway and positioning yourself to get hired faster, book a 20-minute career consultation with the W1N W1N Team, or email us at [email protected].

This is how we help people secure FIFO jobs, entry level mining roles, and long-term Australian mining careers — regardless of age.

Don’t Take Our Word For It — HERE’S WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY