Take on more complex work, mentoring and quality accountability while building evidence for the next formal step.
Compare roles and pay →Operations · Skilled
Control-Room Operator
Monitors and coordinates a mine's processing or materials-handling system from a control room, using live data, alarms and field confirmation to keep operations within approved limits.
Indicative 2026 annual cash$120k–$175kGross, generally before super
Common roster contextSite control rooms commonly cover rotating days and nights; central-office roles may use different continuous-coverage rosters and may not be FIFO.
Role at a glance
What this role actually does.
Monitors and coordinates a mine's processing or materials-handling system from a control room, using live data, alarms and field confirmation to keep operations within approved limits. The precise scope changes with the employer, asset, jurisdiction and written authorities.
The work
Core duties
- 01
Monitor plant status, trends and alarms
- 02
Coordinate approved starts, stops and operating changes with field crews
- 03
Escalate abnormal conditions and equipment faults
- 04
Confirm plant state and access interfaces through site systems
- 05
Record events, constraints and shift handovers
- 06
Coordinate with maintenance and production without exceeding control-room authority
The assets
Equipment and systems
- 01
DCS, SCADA or HMI displays
- 02
Alarm and historian systems
- 03
Radios and operations logs
- 04
Conveyors, crushers, mills and utilities represented on control screens
- 05
Fleet or dispatch systems in mine-control variants
Before mobilisation
Typical foundations
- 01
Strong field or process-plant knowledge matched to the controlled system
- 02
Employer training and verification on the actual control platform and operating modes
- 03
Site procedures, escalation and communication competence
- 04
Mine-control and autonomous-fleet roles require their own equipment, dispatch and traffic-system training
Prove capability
Evidence employers can verify
- 01
Circuit, asset boundary and control platform personally used
- 02
Field experience and control-room authorisation
- 03
An alarm or upset response with action, field confirmation and escalation
- 04
Clear operating logs, handovers and coordination with maintenance
Entry pathway
A credible way into the role.
- 01
Build competence in field processing or the relevant mine and materials-handling system
- 02
Learn how upstream and downstream constraints affect the area
- 03
Seek relief-control, trainee-controller or supervised transition opportunities
- 04
Complete platform-specific training and verification before taking an independent console
Earning context
What tends to move pay
- 01
Plant or network complexity and scope of control
- 02
Fixed-plant versus mine-control specialisation
- 03
Roster, nights and location
- 04
Accountability, experience and employment arrangement
Before accepting
Questions to ask about the offer
- 01
Is the quoted figure base salary, total cash or a package including super?
- 02
Which roster, shift length and point of hire does the offer assume?
- 03
How are overtime, nights, public holidays, allowances, bonus and travel treated?
- 04
Which assets and operating modes will I be authorised to control, and what training is provided?
Progression
Possible next moves.
Leads a defined crew or work front, translating the plan into safe, controlled execution while managing people, interfaces and changing conditions.
Related role band: $150k–$210kLeads a defined crew or work front, translating the plan into safe, controlled execution while managing people, interfaces and changing conditions.
Related role band: $150k–$210kMaintains electrical equipment and the instruments that measure and control pressure, flow, level, temperature and process conditions.
Related role band: $135k–$190kProgression depends on demonstrated competence, vacancies, performance, qualifications and any appointment requirements. A related profile is a starting point, not a guarantee of that exact title or scope. Browse all 98 role profiles →
Keep exploring
Related role profiles.
Sources and role examples
Editorial note
Salary bands are broad 2026 Australian mining comparisons, not promised rates. Role requirements summarise common practice and do not replace legislation, regulator guidance, an employment agreement, site procedures or a written appointment. Pay presentation reviewed 27 September 2026.