Develop supervised equipment experience and pass employer verification for each machine, method and work area.
Compare roles and pay →Operations · Skilled
Underground Production Operator
Works in an underground production cycle, operating authorised trucks, loaders or support equipment while following mine-specific ground, ventilation, traffic and emergency controls.
Indicative 2026 annual cash$140k–$230kGross, generally before super
Common roster context7/7 and 8/6 occur, with rotating days and nights on many sites; FIFO, DIDO and residential options depend on the mine.
Role at a glance
What this role actually does.
Works in an underground production cycle, operating authorised trucks, loaders or support equipment while following mine-specific ground, ventilation, traffic and emergency controls. The precise scope changes with the employer, asset, jurisdiction and written authorities.
The work
Core duties
- 01
Complete area and machine pre-start checks
- 02
Operate only equipment and tasks for which competence is verified
- 03
Move ore or waste and support development or production as assigned
- 04
Follow traffic, ground, ventilation and re-entry controls
- 05
Report defects, hazards and production delays
- 06
Coordinate with the supervisor, geology, services and maintenance teams
The assets
Equipment and systems
- 01
Underground haul trucks
- 02
Load-haul-dump machines or boggers
- 03
Service and ancillary vehicles where authorised
- 04
Radios and personnel-tracking systems
- 05
Mine plans and shift records
Before mobilisation
Typical foundations
- 01
Underground site induction, fitness and emergency-system familiarity
- 02
Employer verification on each machine, task and mine area
- 03
Current driver licence or equipment competency where the vacancy requires it
- 04
Ground support, blasting, explosives and specialist drilling duties need separate training and authorisation
Prove capability
Evidence employers can verify
- 01
Mine method, commodity, area and underground hours
- 02
Machine model, task, supervised training and verification
- 03
Traffic, ground, ventilation and defect decisions within assigned scope
- 04
Shift records, safe handovers and referees who observed the work
Entry pathway
A credible way into the role.
- 01
Target genuine underground trainee, service-crew or entry-level miner programs if new to the environment
- 02
Build underground access, communication and safe-work experience under supervision
- 03
Gain verification on a defined machine and production task
- 04
Add truck, bogger or specialist equipment only as the mine trains and authorises you
Earning context
What tends to move pay
- 01
Underground machine and mine-method experience
- 02
Multi-skilling and specialist task competence
- 03
Roster, nights and remote location
- 04
Owner, contractor and allowance structure
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 machine, mine area and underground training are included in the role?
Progression
Possible next moves.
Develop supervised equipment experience and pass employer verification for each machine, method and work area.
Compare roles and pay →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–$210kProgression 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.