Pilbara recruitment: mining, engineering, trade and professional staff
Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist. We help employers in Karratha, Port Hedland, Newman, Tom Price, Onslow and across the Pilbara hire professional, technical and trade staff, from graduates to experienced people, for residential roles in town and fly-in fly-out or drive-in drive-out rosters on site.
The Pilbara at a glance
- of Western Australia's mining jobs are at Pilbara sites
- 52%
- 70,651 of 134,590 full-time-equivalent jobs, 2024–25.1
- of employed Pilbara residents work in mining
- 32.9%
- 9,075 of 27,598 employed residents, August 2021.2
- of recruiting employers in regional WA had difficulty recruiting
- 55%
- Survey year to August 2026; recruiting means recruiting or recruited in the past month. Against 44% nationally. No separate Pilbara survey is published.3
- unemployment in the City of Karratha
- 2.3%
- June quarter 2026, against 1.0% in Ashburton and 3.5% in Port Hedland.4
How do Pilbara mining jobs compare with its population?
Mine sites in the Pilbara supported 70,651 full-time-equivalent jobs in 2024–25, up from 67,043 a year earlier,1 while the whole region had 62,170 residents at 30 June 2025.5 In August 2021, 9,075 Pilbara residents worked in mining.2
Iron ore and liquefied natural gas, two of the state's largest export earners, drive that demand.6 Most site jobs are in the shires of East Pilbara and Ashburton, while Karratha and Port Hedland hold most of the people.
Full-time-equivalent mining jobs at sites in each council area (2024–25 and 2023–24) and residents at 30 June 2025.1,5,6
| Council area | Mining jobs 2024–25 | Mining jobs 2023–24 | Residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Pilbara | 38,375 | 35,414 | 10,663 |
| Ashburton (includes Tom Price) | 21,386 | 19,813 | 8,335 |
| Karratha | 6,278 | 6,555 | 25,429 |
| Port Hedland | 4,612 | 5,261 | 17,743 |
| All of the Pilbara | 70,651 | 67,043 | 62,170 |
Who employs Pilbara residents?
Mining employs about a third of the people who live in the Pilbara, nearly four times the share of construction, the next-largest industry. Schools, health services, transport, government and shops make up most of the rest.2
Share of employed residents by industry, Pilbara region (four council areas), August 2021. Counts people where they live, so workers who fly in are not included.2
| Industry | % of employed residents |
|---|---|
| Mining | 32.9% |
| Construction | 8.7% |
| Education and training | 7.1% |
| Health care and social assistance | 6.9% |
| Transport, postal and warehousing | 6.1% |
| Public administration and safety | 5.3% |
| Retail trade | 5.2% |
Which jobs are most advertised in the Pilbara?
Employers across the Pilbara and the Kimberley, which share one job-ads series, placed about 1,730 online job ads a month in the three months to September 2026, level with a year earlier (1,733).7 Automotive and engineering trades lead by a wide margin, and electrical trades, drivers and engineers all feature.
Online job advertisements by occupation group, Western Australia – Outback (North) SA4 (the Pilbara and the Kimberley), three-month average to September 2026.7
| Occupation group | Job ads a month |
|---|---|
| Automotive and engineering trades | 210 |
| General-inquiry clerks, call-centre workers and receptionists | 109 |
| Electrotechnology and telecommunications trades | 104 |
| Drivers and storepersons | 80 |
| Medical practitioners and nurses | 79 |
| Engineers | 78 |
| Other labourers | 67 |
| Sales assistants and salespersons | 66 |
How hard is it to hire in the Pilbara?
Hard, especially for qualified trades and anyone you need living in town. Across regional WA, 56% of employers were recruiting or had recruited in the past month (survey year to August 2026), and 55% of them had difficulty recruiting, more than in Greater Perth (46%).3 In the Pilbara the local pool is small and almost fully employed: modelled unemployment was 1.0% in Ashburton and 2.3% in Karratha in the June quarter of 2026.4
Town employers, from health services and schools to councils and small businesses, recruit from that same small pool. We agree early whether a role must live locally or can work a roster, because that decision sets where we search.
Which roles do we recruit in the Pilbara?
Open a role type for demand, shortage ratings and what to put in your brief. Shortage ratings are for 2026; we count an occupation as in shortage if it is rated in shortage nationally or in regional areas.
Mining, processing and maintenance trades
Heavy diesel fitters, mechanical fitters, electricians, auto electricians, boilermakers, drillers and plant operators for mine sites, processing plants and their contractors.
- Who hires
- 70,651 full-time-equivalent mining jobs were at Pilbara sites in 2024–25, including 38,375 in East Pilbara and 21,386 in Ashburton.1
- Demand
- Automotive and engineering trades averaged 210 online job ads a month to September 2026 across the Pilbara and Kimberley, and electrotechnology and telecommunications trades 104.7
- Shortage
- General fitters, diesel motor mechanics, general electricians, metal fabricators, drillers and earthmoving plant operators are rated in shortage nationally.8
- Rosters
- Tell us whether the role is residential, FIFO or DIDO, its point of hire and its roster. We discuss travel and accommodation with candidates during screening.
- What to put in your brief
- The trade and tickets, the site and roster, the point of hire, inductions and medicals, and the award or agreement rate.
Engineers and technical specialists
Graduate and experienced mining, mechanical, electrical and civil engineers, plus maintenance planners, surveyors and technical officers.
- Who hires
- Iron ore and liquefied natural gas operations, two of WA's largest export earners,6 and the contractors that build and maintain them.
- Demand
- Engineers averaged 78 online job ads a month to September 2026 across the Pilbara and Kimberley.7
- Shortage
- Mining, mechanical, electrical and civil engineers are rated in shortage nationally.8
- Graduates
- For graduate roles, tell us the base town or point of hire, the roster and the supervision available.
- What to put in your brief
- The discipline, the asset or project, the roster and point of hire, the registration the role needs and, for a graduate, who will supervise their work.
Health and community services
Registered nurses, midwives, general practitioners, allied health professionals, and health administrators and managers, plus assistants in nursing and aged-care, disability and community support workers, for hospitals, clinics and services in the towns.
- Who hires
- Health care and social assistance employed 1,896 Pilbara residents in August 2021.2 Public health campuses or services operate in Karratha, Port Hedland, Newman and Onslow.6
- Demand
- Medical practitioners and nurses averaged 79 online job ads a month to September 2026 across the Pilbara and Kimberley.7
- Shortage
- Aged care registered nurses, midwives, general practitioners, physiotherapists and occupational therapists are rated in shortage nationally.8
- What to put in your brief
- The registration, the setting, the shift or on-call pattern, and the housing and support available for a permanent employee.
Transport, logistics and town-based roles
Truck drivers, storepersons, administration and office staff, and hospitality and retail managers in Karratha, Port Hedland and the inland towns.
- Who hires
- Transport, postal and warehousing employed 1,676 Pilbara residents and retail 1,446 (August 2021).2
- Demand
- General-inquiry clerks, call-centre workers and receptionists averaged 109 online job ads a month to September 2026, and drivers and storepersons 80.7
- Shortage
- General truck drivers, chefs and cooks are rated in shortage nationally.8
- What to put in your brief
- The licence class or systems, the hours, any housing or allowance, and who the person reports to.
Hiring graduates and local people in the Pilbara
North Regional TAFE trains people across the region, with campuses in Karratha, Roebourne, South Hedland (Pundulmurra), Newman and Tom Price.9 For graduate engineers and professionals we search Perth and the rest of Australia for people who want to start their career in the Pilbara, on a roster or living in town, and we talk with them about the work, the location and how they will be supported.
How we help you hire in the Pilbara
You make the hiring decision and employ the person directly. We handle the search and the organising in between.
Fly-in fly-out, residential roles and relocation in the Pilbara
The Pilbara is a long way from Perth: Karratha is 1,538 km away, Port Hedland 1,702 km and Tom Price 1,462 km.6 For site roles, tell us whether the role is FIFO or DIDO, its point of hire and its roster. We discuss flights, camp accommodation and changeover days with candidates during screening.
Residential roles in Karratha, Port Hedland and the inland towns need people ready to move and stay. We talk through housing, the climate, family and the length of commitment with candidates before arranging interviews. If the right person needs a visa or sponsorship, our sister business Australian Immigration Agency can advise.
Looking for work in the Pilbara?
Tradespeople, engineers, health workers, office professionals and graduates can all register with Hire Australia. Tell us whether you want a fly-in fly-out roster or a role living in Karratha, Port Hedland or another Pilbara town, and the work you want. We'll talk with you about roles that fit.
Talk to us about your next Pilbara hire
Tell us about the role, the site or town, the roster, the point of hire and when you need someone to start.
Employers pay nothing until the successful candidate has started and stayed two months. Candidates never pay for recruitment.
A FEW PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Good to know.
Is it hard to hire staff in the Pilbara?
Usually, for skilled roles. No Pilbara-only survey is published, but across regional WA 55% of employers who were recruiting or had recruited in the past month had difficulty (survey year to August 2026).3 Pilbara unemployment is very low, 2.3% in Karratha in the June quarter of 2026.4 Hire Australia searches Perth and interstate as well as the Pilbara.
Does Hire Australia have an office in Karratha or Port Hedland?
No. Hire Australia is a regional recruitment specialist based in Brisbane, and we recruit for employers across regional Australia, including Karratha, Port Hedland, Newman and Tom Price. We look for people already in the Pilbara and for people in Perth and interstate who will work a roster or move. Call 1300 719 836 or send us the role details to start.
Can Hire Australia recruit for fly-in fly-out and residential Pilbara roles?
Yes. Hire Australia recruits for both. For a fly-in fly-out or drive-in drive-out role we search near your point of hire and ask candidates which tickets they hold and whether the medicals and roster suit them. For a residential role in Karratha, Port Hedland or an inland town we look for people ready to relocate and talk through housing and the commitment before you meet them.
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. Hire Australia charges the same way for a role in Karratha, Port Hedland or Newman as anywhere else in regional Australia, whether the person works a roster or lives in town.
Does Hire Australia supply labour hire or temporary staff?
No. Hire Australia recruits people you employ directly, in permanent roles in the Pilbara. 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.
Can I register with Hire Australia for Pilbara work?
Yes. Register with Hire Australia and tell us the work you want, whether you prefer a fly-in fly-out roster or living in a Pilbara town, and your tickets and licences. Tradespeople, engineers, health workers, office professionals and graduates are all welcome. We'll talk with you about suitable roles.
Sources (9)
- Government of Western Australia, Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, 2025 spatial and regional data file: mining employment by region and local government area. Files dated June 2026. Data: 2024-25 financial year average; full-time equivalent at mine sites, by site location. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census General Community Profile, Table G54 Industry of employment by age by sex, Local Government Areas. Data: Census night, 10 August 2021; employed residents by place of usual residence, summed over each region. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, Recruitment trends and employers' needs: State and Regional Snapshot update, Western Australia. Released 22 September 2026. Data: 12 months to August 2026; WA weighted (1,412 employers); regional samples small, unweighted, interpret with caution. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, SALM Smoothed LGA Datafiles (ASGS 2025) - June quarter 2026. Data: June quarter 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional population, 2024-25 financial year (Population estimates and components by LGA, 2024 to 2025). Released 31 March 2026. Data: 30 June 2025. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- WA Country Health Service, WA Country Health Service: Pilbara regional profile (distance from Perth table). Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, Internet Vacancy Index: Internet Vacancies, ANZSCO2 Occupations, GCCSA and SA4 Regions - September 2026. September data released 21 October 2026. Data: September 2026. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Occupation Shortage List (6-digit ANZSCO and OSCA). Files dated October 2026. Data: 2026 ratings, ANZSCO 2022 sheet. National ratings; S = shortage, R = regional shortage. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑
- North Regional TAFE, North Regional TAFE: Campuses. Accessed 1 November 2026. Back to text ↑