If you are considering a role as a Drillers' Offsider, there a few key requirements for the role. Ideally we seek those with some experience with physical labour/shift work. There is no drilling experience required, as you will be trained on the job.

A National Police Clearance, HR Drivers' Licence (must hold, or be willing to obtain) and current First Aid/CPR is required for site access. During the pre-employment process, we will arrange for shortlisted applicants' to complete a comprehensive medical clearance also (please refer to the Medical Preparation Page for information)

Our field teams typically work a 14-day on, 7-day off roster (however you may be required to work an alternate roster, dependent on site requirements, role etc). This is based on day/night shift, working approximately 12-hour shifts. When working away from home, meals, travel and accommodation is provided.

When working remotely, mine camp, hotel, caravan (remote operations) or company-housing is provided. This is typically a single-person room (some with ensuites, depending on camp arrangements), with meals provided in a mess, or via a daily meal allowance. Camp facilities vary and may include a small store (for essentials), a recreation room, basketball court, gym, or pool. On remote projects, where accommodation is limited, company caravan accommodation is provided.

The Honest Truth... The First 6 weeks can be an initial challenge, as your body and mind are adapting to a new role, 12-hour shifts, shift work, and working remotely. Keeping hydrated, sleeping and eating well during this time can assist, and we recommend to ask the crew how they adjusted, for some advice.

The role is repetitive, handling 3m-length hollow steel rods and preparing the core samples. There is a lot of bending, squatting, twisting and lifting involved daily.  It can be wet and muddy, working in the elements (surface), or underground (in humid, dark conditions), at heights and in confined conditions.

The good news is that all of our surface fleet come standard with EDM rod handlers (see the Technology page for more information), allowing our team to perform rod handling activities remotely, with less manual interaction (than standard drilling activities), keeping you safe, not only in the short-term, but also in the future! For our underground projects, our fleet are either semi-automated, or fully autonomous (refer to our Technology page for information on the Ult-R Robot), the latest technology in hands-free rod handling!

Having a good attitude is a great start! This is not a career for everyone, so please consider (and discuss with your partner/family) before committing to the role. Research the role, look at now you will manage home activities when you are away from work. Having a plan in place in the beginning sets you up for success.... And ask questions! This is a job you will learn hands on. Ask your team, your driller, your supervisor, don't chance it by guessing! Always safety first!

Hours, Wages, Training & Development,  Safety and Team.

Hours: Doing the maths, working full-time, a standard 2+1 roster is equivalent to 243 days work/year, even less with annual leave entitlements! Plus every 2 weeks, you get a full week off! (the equivalent working Mon-Fri is roughly 260 days). You can even structure annual leave around your breaks, allowing for more time off!

‍Wages: A Driller's Offsider will earn a competitive wage, typically over $100,000, plus the more you move up the ranks, the more you will earn, and we will teach you how to do it!

‍Training & Development: About 90% of the job is learnt hands-on, with nationally-certified training provided to support your development. Starting as a Drillers' Offsider, you can move your way to becoming a Driller, Supervisor or Manager.... What you put in, is what you can achieve!

‍Safety: Safety is our #1 priority. Whether it is Operational Activities, Driving, Fitness For Work, Inductions and Certified Training, our processes and procedures are robust, to keep our people safe. We have invested in your current and future well-being. Our surface rigs come standard with EDM rod feeders, reducing the risks associated with ongoing and repetitive manual handling. Our underground fleet has semi-and fully autonomous rod handling, changing the way conventional hands-on drilling activities are undertaken.

‍The Team:Working on a rig is a unique experience, that differs from any job you have done before! You will work with a small crew of people, in remote locations, learning from each other, and passing your knowledge on. A career in drilling can be very rewarding, making life-long friends and seeing parts of the country you had never imagined! If you're keen to learn and work well as part of a team, we would welcome your application!

When new vacancies are released, we will advertise on Seek, or an Application/ Expression of Interest can be lodged at any time, through our Careers page. Authorised personnel will complete a shortlist and invite selected applicants to complete an interview. The selected applicants will then be invited to undergo the pre-employment requirements (this will consist of references and pre-employment medical assessments, and applicants will be asked to supply a copy of a National Police Clearance (less than 30 days), First Aid, CPR and HR (or C Class Manual/Open) Drivers' Licence. Once all pre-employment assessments are completed and approved, an offer of employment is then issued, where a start date, contract and site location/roster is confirmed. All applicants will be contacted via email regarding the status/outcome of their application.

It's simple! Visit our Careers Page for information on requirements, medical preparation and information on the role. Discuss with your partner or family and lodge your application (with supporting documents) through Seek, or via the Register Your Interest Link below. We wish you all the best and hope to see you on site soon!