Diesel Fitter Mining Jobs in Northern Territory

Diesel fitters maintain and repair heavy mobile equipment including haul trucks, excavators, loaders, dozers and drill rigs. In underground mining, diesel fitters work on boggers (LHDs), underground trucks, jumbos and other specialised equipment. The role involves diagnosing faults, performing scheduled services, component change-outs and breakdown repairs, often in challenging underground or remote conditions.

A Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (or equivalent diesel fitting trade qualification) is required. Most employers also require a Standard 11 mining induction, current driver's licence, and Working at Heights. Underground diesel fitters need an underground induction. Experience with Caterpillar, Komatsu or Liebherr equipment is highly valued by employers.

Heavy diesel fitters are among the best-paid trades in mining, with rates rising for experience on large fleet equipment such as CAT 793/797 trucks and Liebherr excavators. Common rosters include 2/1 and even time, with most positions flying from Perth or Brisbane to site and super paid on top of the advertised rate.

Diesel-fitter demand in the Northern Territory is concentrated at a handful of large operations - Glencore's McArthur River zinc-lead mine, where Hastings Deering maintains a sizeable Caterpillar fleet, and South32's GEMCO manganese mine on Groote Eylandt. Even-time 2/2 FIFO from Darwin is the most common pattern at McArthur River, while Groote Eylandt roles run 7/7 FIFO from Darwin or Cairns. A Certificate III trade qualification is the baseline; the NT sits outside Queensland's Standard 11 and coal-board scheme. Glencore's McArthur River operation offers apprentice and graduate pathways, with labour-hire and dealer roles filling shutdown and specialist needs.

Northern Territory mining covers bauxite at Gove, manganese at Groote Eylandt, gold and copper at the Tanami and McArthur River zinc-lead-silver. Onshore gas in the Beetaloo Basin and a growing pipeline of critical minerals projects are expanding the workforce. Most NT mining jobs are FIFO from Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane or Perth on rosters tailored to remote operations.

What does a diesel fitter do in mining?

A mining diesel fitter maintains and repairs heavy mobile equipment such as haul trucks, excavators, loaders, drill rigs and underground vehicles. The work includes diagnostics, scheduled servicing, component replacements and breakdown repairs.

How much do diesel fitters earn in mining?

Heavy diesel fitters are among the best-paid trades in mining. Pay varies by roster, location and equipment type, with experienced fitters on large fleet equipment such as CAT 793/797 trucks at the higher end.

What qualifications do I need to be a mining diesel fitter?

You need a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology or equivalent trade qualification. A Standard 11 mining induction, driver's licence and Working at Heights are also required. Underground roles need an underground induction.

Is diesel fitting a good career in mining?

Yes, diesel fitters are consistently among the most in-demand trades in Australian mining. The combination of strong pay, job security and ongoing demand for heavy equipment maintenance makes it an excellent career path in the resources sector.

What rosters do NT diesel fitters work?

Even-time 2/2 FIFO from Darwin is the most common advertised pattern at McArthur River Mine, while GEMCO roles on Groote Eylandt typically run 7/7 FIFO from Darwin or Cairns. The remoteness of NT sites usually attracts a premium and full camp accommodation.