Mining Shutdown Work: How to Find It and What to Expect
Shutdown work is some of the best-paid short-term work in Australian mining. Here's what it involves, how to find it, and how to present shutdown experience on your resume.
What Is Mining Shutdown Work?
Shutdowns (also called turnarounds or outages) are planned maintenance periods when a mine site or processing plant temporarily halts production to allow for major maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. They're intensive, time-limited, and typically very well paid — often with overtime, penalty rates, and site allowances stacking up quickly.
Shutdowns can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and they require a large influx of workers in a short period. This creates significant opportunities for tradespeople, labourers, and specialists who are available at short notice.
Why Shutdown Work Pays Well
The economics of a shutdown are straightforward: every hour the plant is down costs the company money. Employers need skilled workers fast, and they're willing to pay premium rates to get them. Expect:
- Higher base rates than standard site work
- Significant overtime (12-hour days are common)
- Site allowances and travel reimbursement
- Accommodation and meals provided on site
How to Find Shutdown Work
Shutdown work is rarely advertised on mainstream job boards. The best ways to find it:
- Labour hire companies: WorkPac, Programmed, Skilled, Chandler Macleod, and specialist shutdown contractors are the primary source of shutdown labour. Register with multiple agencies and keep your availability updated.
- Direct applications: Some mining companies and major contractors advertise shutdowns directly. Follow their LinkedIn pages and careers sites.
- Networking: Word of mouth is powerful in the shutdown world. If you do good work, you'll get called back — and referred to others.
- Shutdown-specific contractors: Companies like Monadelphous, Civmec, and Downer regularly run large shutdown programs and maintain their own labour pools.
Skills That Are in Demand
The most sought-after shutdown workers include:
- Boilermakers and welders
- Mechanical fitters and maintenance technicians
- Electricians and instrumentation technicians
- Riggers and scaffolders
- Labourers and trade assistants
How to Present Shutdown Experience on Your Resume
List shutdown roles clearly, including the client site, the contractor you worked through, the duration, and the scope of work. Emphasise your ability to work efficiently under time pressure and your familiarity with shutdown safety protocols (e.g. LOTO, permit to work systems).
Ready to Find More Shutdown Work?
A strong resume opens more doors. Call Michelle at Resume Righters on 0432 090 042, email resumerighters01@gmail.com, or visit our contact page today.
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Written by
Michelle — Resume Righters
Michelle is the founder and lead writer at Resume Righters, with over 14 years of experience crafting resumes for Australians across mining and resources, healthcare, trades, administration, education, and more. Resume Righters holds a proud 5-star Google rating — a reflection of the proven results and glowing testimonials from clients who've landed the roles they were after. Every resume is personally written — no templates, no outsourcing. Michelle takes the time to understand your background, your goals, and the role you're going for, so your resume genuinely reflects who you are and what you bring to the table.