Employment opportunities
Contents
What we do
Australia’s eight government geoscience agencies work together as Australia Minerals to attract investment into the Australian minerals sector. As part of their mandates, all Australia Minerals agencies undertake world-class geoscience to increase understanding of Australia’s geology and resource prospectivity, deliver and manage pre-competitive geoscientific datasets, and actively promote the exploration potential of their jurisdiction. The geological surveys and their government departments facilitate mineral, petroleum and geothermal exploration and development within a sustainable framework by providing geoscientific information and data, industry regulation, and legislative and policy development.
The geoscience agencies provide essential information and advice to government, the mineral exploration and mining industries, and the community on geology, mineral resources and exploration, along with information for land use planning and environmental management.
Each agency offers a wide range of career opportunities that include geology, geophysics and other geoscientific disciplines, engineering, and positions in administration and management.
Working in Australia
In most instances, Australian citizenship is a requirement for employment in each of Australia’s geoscience agencies. Applicants without citizenship or permanent residency status will require a visa to work in Australia. More information is provided in the links below:
- Find more information on the Department of Home Affairs – Immigration and citizenship website:
- ‘Explore visa options’ to search for applicable visa types
- ‘SkillSelect’ for information on visa types such as the Subclass 189 visa which allows a business to employ someone from outside Australia in a skilled job
- Skilled occupation list
State and territory opportunities
Geoscience Australia
- Geoscience Australia, the federal geological survey, is an Australian Government entity within the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio
- Based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
- As an Australian federal government agency, Australian citizenship is a requirement for employment in most instances. However, where there is a known shortage of specialist skills in Australia, recruitment may be opened to non‑Australian citizens. All vacancies are advertised on the Geoscience Australia website
New South Wales
- The Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) is part of Mining, Exploration and Geoscience in the Department of Regional NSW
- Available vacancies
Northern Territory
- The Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) is part of the NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
- Based in Darwin, Northern Territory
- Vacancies are open to domestic and international applicants
Queensland
- The Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) is part of the Queensland Department of Resources
- Based in Brisbane, Queensland
- Vacancies available at GSQ
South Australia
- The Mineral Resources and Energy Resources Divisions are part of the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM)
- Based in Adelaide, South Australia
- International applicants holding an appropriate visa can apply for advertised vacancies
Tasmania
- Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) is a division of the Tasmanian Department of State Growth
- Based in Hobart and Burnie, Tasmania
- International applicants holding an appropriate visa can apply for vacancies
- Further information
Victoria
- The Geological Survey of Victoria (GSV) and Resources Victoria are units within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
- Located in Melbourne, Victoria
- Vacancies are open to domestic and international applicants and are listed on the Victorian Government Careers website
Western Australia
- The Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) is a division within the WA Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
- Based in Perth, Western Australia, vacancies are open to domestic and international applicants and are advertised on the Department’s website
Further suggestions
- Look for advertised vacancies and submit an application. Search the websites of regional and national Australian publications, companies and organisations. For example, the Minerals Council of Australia has a full list of MCA member company recruitment websites
- Send your CV directly to companies. You can search for more information about individual companies and mines using portal.geoscience.gov.au
- Register with a recruitment agency that can help you to get a visa and then find you employment