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Geologist recruitment for regional employers

Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist. We help mine operators, explorers, mining contractors, consultancies and water authorities hire geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists, from graduates logging core to senior resource geologists who sign off public reports. We build the commodity, the field program and the reporting responsibility into every search.

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Illustrative image: a geologist examines drill core with a hand lens beside core trays at a remote exploration camp.

Geology hiring at a glance

Geology is a mining profession first, a Western Australian one second, and its job ads grew fast in the year to September 2026.

national rating for Geologist and Geophysicist in 2026
Shortage
Hydrogeologist is not rated in shortage. In shortage means rated S or R.1
of geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists work in Western Australia
52.7%
February 2026; Queensland has 18.7%.2
job ads a month in the geologists and geophysicists group
248
Three months to September 2026, up from 177 a year earlier.3
median full-time weekly earnings for the group
$2,914
May 2025, national.2

What does a geologist do, and which qualification do they hold?

Geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists study the composition and structure of the earth, locate and advise on the extraction of minerals, petroleum and groundwater, and monitor seismic and other earth activity.2 Most geologists work for mines: 69.2% were employed in mining in August 2021 and 18.9% in professional, scientific and technical services, which includes consultancies.4

It is a degree profession. In August 2021, 95.8% of the group held a bachelor degree or higher as their highest qualification, 41.3% a postgraduate qualification.2 Experienced geologists may also hold a professional standing, such as AusIMM Chartered Professional status, which is separate from the JORC Competent Person role.

Which licences, tickets and certifications apply to geologists?

No state or territory licence is listed for geologists or geophysicists. The standards that matter instead are the professional standing needed to report resources publicly and, at some mines, statutory appointments.

Licences, certifications and statutory roles relevant to geologists, with the body that issues or defines each. Checked 1 November 2026.

JurisdictionLicence, ticket or certificationWhen it applies
All states and territoriesNo occupational licence or registration is listed for geologists or geophysicists4Geological work itself
All states and territoriesJORC Competent Person: a Member or Fellow of AusIMM, AIG or a Recognised Professional Organisation, with at least five years' experience relevant to both the style of mineralisation or type of deposit and the reporting activity5Public reports of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves
All states and territoriesAusIMM Chartered Professional (Geoscience), CP(Geo): relevant qualifications, AusIMM Member or higher standing and at least five years' relevant experience, subject to the accreditation requirements6,7Accreditation for experienced resources professionals
All states and territoriesAIG Registered Professional Geoscientist (RPGeo), with professional development hours each year that may be audited8Recognition of continuing professional development
Western AustraliaExploration manager: a statutory appointment needing the applicable legislation examination, an approved WHS risk management unit and at least two years at a mine or in mining exploration9An exploration-only mine employing workers where no site senior executive is appointed

What does a geologist earn?

Award minimum: where the Professional Employees Award 2020 covers the role (professional scientific duties by a science graduate), a Level 1 scientist with a three-year degree earns at least $33.71 an hour from 1 July 2026. Black coal is excluded from that award.10 Under the Black Coal Mining Industry Award 2020, Geologist is a Group J staff classification, with a minimum of $1,413.30 a week, or $40.38 an hour on a 35-hour week; Senior Geologist is Group K, at $1,445.20 a week.11

Market median: full-time geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists earned $2,914 a week, or $61 an hour, in May 2025. The figure is national and covers the whole group.2 We compare whole packages with you, including any allowances you offer.

Where are geologists in demand?

Geology job ads rose from 177 to 248 a month in the year to September 2026, and Western Australia had 167 of them.3 Of the ads with a location, 71 of 241 were for regional areas, the same 29% share as for all jobs.12

Online job ads in the geologists and geophysicists group by state (three-month average to September 2026) and each state's share of employment for geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists (February 2026).2,3

State or territoryJob ads a monthShare of employment
Western Australia167352.7%2
Queensland3518.7%
New South Wales206.7%
South Australia104.3%
Victoria911.8%
Tasmania33.1%
Australian Capital Territory21.5%
Northern Territory21.2%

Which geology roles do we recruit?

Open a role for what to put in your brief.

Exploration geologists

Geologists who map, sample and drill to find and test new deposits.

Shortage
Geologist is rated in shortage for 2026.1
Workforce
6,500 geologists were employed in August 2021, 52.9% of them in Western Australia.2
Statutory role
In Western Australia, an exploration-only mine employing workers without a site senior executive must appoint an exploration manager.9
What to tell us
Commodity, greenfields or near-mine, the drilling and sampling program, whether the role is residential, FIFO or DIDO, its point of hire and roster, camp conditions and four-wheel-drive work.

Resource and mine geologists

Geologists for grade control, resource modelling and reconciliation on operating mines.

Reporting
A Competent Person needs at least five years' experience relevant to both the style of mineralisation and the activity being reported, such as resource estimation.5
Award
In black coal mining, Geologist is a Group J staff classification at $1,413.30 a week from 1 July 2026.11
Industry
69.2% of geologists were employed in mining in August 2021.4
What to tell us
Open-cut or underground, grade control or resource work, the modelling software, whether the role signs public reports, and the roster.

Geophysicists

Specialists who survey gravity, magnetics, seismic and electrical properties to find what lies below.

Shortage
Geophysicist is rated in shortage for 2026.1
Workforce
860 geophysicists were employed in August 2021.2
Where they live
47.6% lived in Western Australia in August 2021.2
What to tell us
Survey methods, field acquisition or processing and interpretation, the software, and how much time is spent in the field.

Hydrogeologists

Specialists in groundwater supply, mine dewatering and water impact assessment.

Shortage
Hydrogeologist is not rated in shortage for 2026.1
Workforce
1,000 hydrogeologists were employed in August 2021.2
Where they live
34.9% lived in Western Australia and 18.3% in Queensland in August 2021.2
What to tell us
Dewatering, water supply or approvals work, bore programs and modelling, and the regulator the work reports to.

What to tell us about your geology role

Start with the commodity and the stage: exploration, resource definition, grade control or closure. Tell us whether the person will sign public reports as a Competent Person, the modelling and logging software, and the experience level.

Then the arrangements: whether the role is residential, FIFO or DIDO, its point of hire and roster, the camp or town, and whether the role is office-based with field trips or fully site-based.

How we help you hire a geologist

You make the hiring decision and employ the person directly. We handle the search and the organising in between.

  1. Step 1

    Understand the role

    We talk with you about the commodity, the project stage, the reporting responsibility, the roster and the experience the role needs.

  2. Step 2

    Source and screen

    We talk with geologists about the deposits and commodities they have worked on, the drilling and modelling they have done, any public reporting they have signed and their professional standing.

  3. Step 3

    Introduce suitable people

    We introduce the candidates who best match your brief, so you decide who to interview.

  4. Step 4

    Coordinate the hire

    We coordinate the next steps and keep both sides informed through interviews and the offer. You employ the person directly.

Rosters, camps and moving to a mining region

Tell us whether the role is residential, FIFO or DIDO, its point of hire and its roster. We ask candidates which arrangements they will consider, and we explain the camp, travel and swing to them before they apply.

If the right person needs a visa or sponsorship, our sister business Australian Immigration Agency can advise.

Are you a geologist looking for your next role?

Register with Hire Australia and tell us the commodities and deposit styles you know, the work you do (exploration, resource or mine geology), your professional standing, the rosters you will consider and the regions you prefer. We welcome graduates and experienced geoscientists.

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Talk to us about your next geology hire

Tell us the commodity, the roster and your start date.

Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment.

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A FEW PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

Good to know.

Does a geologist need a licence?

No occupational licence or registration is listed for geologists or geophysicists.4 Public reports of exploration results, resources or reserves must be based on documentation prepared by a JORC Competent Person, who needs AusIMM, AIG or equivalent membership and at least five years' experience relevant to both the deposit type and the reporting activity.5 Hire Australia asks whether your role carries that responsibility.

How much do geologists earn?

Full-time geologists, geophysicists and hydrogeologists earned a national median of $61 an hour in May 2025.2 Where the Professional Employees Award 2020 covers the role, a scientist with a three-year degree earns at least $33.71 an hour from 1 July 2026; black coal geologists are covered by their own award.10 Hire Australia compares whole packages with you.

Where are geologists in most demand?

Western Australia averaged 167 of the 248 geology job ads a month in the three months to September 2026, and holds 52.7% of the group's employment.2,3 Queensland is next on both measures. Hire Australia recruits geologists for operations and exploration programs in every state.

What is a JORC Competent Person?

It is the person whose documentation public reports of exploration results, mineral resources or ore reserves must be based on. They must be a Member or Fellow of AusIMM, AIG or a recognised professional organisation, with at least five years' experience relevant to both the deposit type and the activity reported.5 Hire Australia can search for geologists who meet that standard.

What does it cost to use Hire Australia?

Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment. You employ the person directly, and we agree the terms with you in writing before the search begins. That applies to every geology role Hire Australia recruits for, from graduate geologist to senior resource geologist.

Does Hire Australia supply labour hire or temporary staff?

No. Hire Australia recruits people you employ directly, in permanent roles. We don’t supply labour hire or temps, and candidates never work on our payroll. We search for and screen people for your vacancy, introduce the ones who fit, and you make the offer and employ them. That keeps the working relationship between you and your new employee from day one.

Sources (12)

  1. Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO 2022 sheet). National ratings, ANZSCO 2022 coding, matching the job-ad and earnings groups on this page. "In shortage" means rated S (shortage) or R (regional shortage). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  2. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO occupation data, February 2026 (occupation descriptions, earnings, employment and state tables). Group medians: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, national. Group employment and state shares: February 2026. 6-digit figures and highest qualification: 2021 Census. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  3. Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index, 4-digit occupations by state and territory, September 2026. Online job ads, three-month average to September 2026, rounded; counts ads, not jobs. ANZSCO 2344 is titled "Geologists and Geophysicists" here. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  4. Jobs and Skills Australia, OSCA occupation data, 2021 Census (Table 2 industries; Table 6 registration or licensing). OSCA 2024 coding. Table 6, Geologist and Geophysicist: "No registration or licensing requirements are listed for this occupation." Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  5. Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC), Competent Person. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  6. AusIMM, Chartered Professionals. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  7. AusIMM, AusIMM Chartered Professional Program regulations (v9, effective 1 July 2026). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  8. Australian Institute of Geoscientists, Registered Professional Geoscientist (RPGeo) Program. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  9. WorkSafe WA, What are statutory positions and who is eligible for appointment?. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  10. Fair Work Ombudsman, Professional Employees Award 2020 [MA000065], clause 14.1 minimum rates. Clause 4.1(a): professional scientific duties (for example by a science graduate); clause 4.2 excludes Black Coal Award employees. Rates from 1 July 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  11. Fair Work Ombudsman, Black Coal Mining Industry Award 2020 [MA000001], Schedule B staff rates. Schedule B.2.1 rates from 1 July 2026; hourly on a 35-hour week. Group J: Geologist. Group K: Senior and Chief Geologist. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
  12. Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index, 4-digit occupations by remoteness (major cities and regional), September 2026. Online job ads, three-month average to September 2026; regional or major city by SA4. ANZSCO 2344: "Geologists and Geophysicists". Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑