Mining Visa Australia: Industry Solutions
From major projects to ongoing operations, we advise on sponsorship, visa pathways, and obligations, ensuring mining sites remain safely staffed, fully compliant, and operational.
Meeting Mining Sector Workforce Demands
Mining industry employers face unique challenges in the labour market – high turnover in remote operations, competition from other resource sectors, and cyclical work demands.
Engineers, trades, and project managers are often needed on short notice for ongoing operations, expansions, and shutdowns.
Australia’s skilled migration program enables mining employers to access a broader global talent pool and maintain business continuity — especially in remote regions where workforce shortages are most acute.
Key Visas Used in the
Mining Sector
To assist businesses with understanding the visas commonly used by the Mining sector, Interstaff has prepared a comparative analysis based on our industry experience.
400 Temporary Visa
Category
Short-term, Highly Specialised Work
How it Meets Mining Needs
- Suitable for work by specialists for installations, commissioning, shutdowns, and urgent project needs requiring international expertise.
- Relatively fast processing.
- 3 to 6 month visa periods.
494 Regional Visa
Category
Regional Skilled Employer-sponsored
How it Meets Mining Needs
- Allows long-term employment in regional areas, including mining towns.
482 Skills in Demand Visa
Category
Temporary Employer-sponsored
How it Meets Mining Needs
- Engineers and trades listed as eligible roles on the Core Skills Occupation List.
186 Permanent Visa
Category
Permanent Employer-sponsored
How it Meets Mining Needs
- The 186 Transition Stream helps retain existing workers.
- The 186 Direct Entry Stream provides Permanent Residence without prior sponsorship.
Business Visitor Visas
Category
Short-Term Business Travel Visas.
How it Meets Mining Needs
- Allows visits for meetings, site inspections, and short-term business tasks.
DAMAs
Category
Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs).
How it Meets Mining Needs
- Employers in specific regions can sponsor for occupations not on standard lists.
- Concessions on age, English, and salary available.
Company-Specific Labour Agreements
Category
Custom agreements for individual employers.
How it Meets Mining Needs
- Mining companies may request specific concessions if their needs are unique.
Employing Existing Visa Holders
Category
Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visa Holders. | Independent Skilled Migration: 190 and 491 Visa holders.
How it Meets Mining Needs
- WHM holders already in Australia can be engaged for short-term or entry-level roles and may be able to transition to employer-sponsored visas.
- States and territories may nominate skilled migrants for critical mining roles via the Independent Skilled Migration program.
Mining Labour Insights
Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) are particularly helpful for regional operations that require more flexible visa eligibility criteria.
The 482 Skills in Demand Visa program offers the flexibility to accommodate shifting demands. For example, given the cyclical nature of the mining labour market, employers may need to hire a Fitter today but not necessarily two years from now.
Hiring workers through the Working Holiday Maker program can also help meet short-term labour needs. Visa conditions under this program limit individuals to a maximum of six months with a single employer unless exempt or permissions are granted.
Interstaff: Mining Migration Specialists
Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agent team understands the sector’s workforce demands and regional challenges, providing seamless support for FIFO arrangements, skills retention, and compliance across projects.
Most businesses in the mining sector know what roles they need – what’s harder is keeping the process compliant under pressure.
We advise on eligibility and sponsorship obligations while tracking regulatory changes that affect staffing. Clients can expect advice that reduces uncertainty and keeps workforce plans on track.
Interstaff has delivered immigration solutions to the mining industry for over three decades.
APPLY
Assess and Strategise:
Visa Strategy
We provide migration advice to help businesses navigate sponsorship and visa options, enabling faster, more confident hiring decisions.
We support businesses by:
- Reviewing hard-to-fill roles and workforce needs
- Assessing sponsorship and visa eligibility
- Advising on visa strategies aligned with expected employee start dates / project timelines
- Providing guidance on compliance matters
STRATEGISE
Apply and Comply:
Visa and Sponsorship Management
We provide clarity and consistency throughout the application process, allowing projects and workforce requirements to move forward without unnecessary delays.
We support businesses by:
- Advising on key requirements such as local job advertising requirements and salary benchmarks
- Managing all aspects of sponsorship, nomination, and visa applications, including complex cases
- Providing clear reporting, allowing oversight of multiple visa holders and obligations
- Keeping you and your employees informed at every stage of the process
GROW
Retain and Grow:
Staying Compliant and Future-Ready
We help businesses align skilled migration with their broader workforce strategy to boost stability, retain global talent, and support long-term growth. Our support includes:
- Compliance advice during business or employment changes
- Advice on upcoming visa expiries to plan future workforce needs
- Permanent Residence pathway mapping for temporary visa holders
- Advice on developing audit-ready reports for immigration inspections
- Post-visa support for employees and their families
- Ongoing training on immigration policy impacts
Experience and Insights
Explore more about how we work, our industry experience and insights.