Diesel Fitter Mining Jobs in Western Australia

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.

Heavy diesel fitters are among WA's most sought-after trades, keeping the haul-truck and loader fleets running across the Pilbara iron ore mines of BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Roy Hill and Mineral Resources, plus Goldfields gold sites and the lithium operations. Advertised rosters cluster on 8/6 and 7/7, with 2/1 and even-time 2/2 on iron ore, FIFO from Perth and regional centres or DIDO from Newman, Port Hedland and Kalgoorlie. A Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology or Engineering (Fixed & Mobile Plant Mechanic, MEM31419) is the base trade. Apprenticeships and adult-trainee routes run through Rio Tinto Future Skills, BHP's FutureFit Academy, Mineral Resources' Kwinana workshop, Macmahon and the WesTrac dealer program, with contractors like Mader and Techforce hiring for shutdowns.

Western Australia is the country's largest mining state, anchored by the iron ore operations of the Pilbara (BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Roy Hill) and the gold and nickel mines of the Goldfields around Kalgoorlie. Lithium production from the Greenbushes, Pilgangoora and Mt Marion operations, plus alumina refining in the South West, round out a workforce of tens of thousands of FIFO and residential mining workers. Most WA mining jobs are FIFO from Perth on 2/1 or even time rosters.

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 qualifies you as a WA mining diesel fitter?

A Certificate III trade qualification - typically Mobile Plant Technology or Engineering (Fixed & Mobile Plant Mechanic, MEM31419). WA runs its own mine-site induction and health-surveillance regime rather than Queensland's Standard 11, and employers also expect a driver's licence, Working at Heights and a pre-employment medical.

Do WA mines take apprentice diesel fitters?

Yes - Rio Tinto Future Skills, BHP's FutureFit Academy, Mineral Resources, Macmahon and WesTrac all run apprenticeship or trainee intakes, and Macmahon also offers mature-age apprenticeships and upskilling for experienced-but-unqualified workers.

Browse all Diesel Fitter mining jobs across Australia, or all mining jobs in Western Australia.