Geologist
Map and analyse the earth's structure for mineral exploration, energy and hazard assessment.
Salary
Cited figures only: median full-time weekly earnings for the ANZSCO unit group Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists (2344) from Your Career (Jobs and Skills Australia), and where available the QILT graduate starting salary for the matching study area.
| Figure | AUD | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median full-time weekly earnings | $2618 | Your Career (2026-09-23) |
Jobs, demand and who does this work
Figures for the ANZSCO occupation Geologist (234411), the closest official match for geologist, from Your Career (Jobs and Skills Australia data, sourced 2026-09-23).
- People employed
- 6,500
- Future demand
- Moderate
- Work full-time
- 83%
- Average full-time hours
- 53 a week
- Women
- 26%
- Median age
- 40
Where the jobs are (share of workers)
| NSW | 12% |
| VIC | 8.1% |
| QLD | 17.8% |
| WA | 52.9% |
| SA | 5.5% |
| TAS | 2.2% |
| ACT | 1% |
| NT | 0.6% |
Highest qualification held by workers
| Postgraduate qualification | 37.6% |
| Bachelor degree | 58.6% |
| Diploma or advanced diploma | 1.1% |
| Certificate I-IV | 0.4% |
| Year 12 | 1.2% |
| Below Year 12 | 0.3% |
What a geologist actually does
Geologists who work on Australian mine sites or exploration projects often follow a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) roster such as 8 days on, 6 days off or 2 weeks on, 1 week off, working 12-hour shifts at site. Site days involve logging drill core, sampling rock chips, mapping pits or outcrops, and entering data into Leapfrog, MapInfo or acQuire. Off-site weeks are spent in a Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide office interpreting drill results, modelling orebodies and writing technical memos. Mine-site geologists in production work closer to a five-on-two roster. Exploration and resource consultants run more conventional 38 to 45-hour weeks with periodic field trips. Government geologists at Geoscience Australia and state geological surveys run standard public-service hours with fieldwork blocks for regional mapping projects. The work is physically active in the field, with heat, dust and remote conditions to manage. The commodity cycle drives hiring; jobs are plentiful in upswings and tighter in downturns.
Typical tasks
- Map outcrops and core samples.
- Interpret geophysical data.
- Advise on drilling and resource estimation.
Skills you'll use
- Rock and mineral identification, core logging and structural geology
- Geophysical methods including seismic, magnetic and gravity interpretation
- 3D modelling in Leapfrog, Micromine, Vulcan or Surpac
- JORC Code 2012 reporting for mineral resources and reserves
- GIS and spatial analysis using ArcGIS or QGIS
- Field safety, navigation and remote-area work practices
- Writing technical reports and resource statements
How to become one
- 1Finish Year 12 with English, Chemistry, Physics or Earth and Environmental Science, and Maths Methods or Advanced
- 2Complete a 3-year Bachelor of Science with a geology or geophysics major, or a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) for hybrid pathways
- 3Add an Honours year (1 year of research project plus thesis), since most graduate exploration and resource roles assume Honours
- 4Get hands-on experience through summer field placements, vacation programs with mining companies, or volunteer mapping with universities or state surveys
- 5Apply for a graduate exploration or mine-site role with a major (BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Newmont) or junior explorer, or with a state geological survey
- 6Work toward Member status with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and meet JORC Competent Person criteria after around 5 years of relevant experience
Where you can work
- Major mining companies (BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Newmont, South32)
- Junior and mid-tier explorers listed on ASX
- Mining consultancies (SRK, CSA Global, AMC, RungePincockMinarco)
- Oil and gas operators (Woodside, Santos)
- State geological surveys (GSWA, Geological Survey of NSW, GSQ)
- Geoscience Australia and CSIRO Mineral Resources
- Universities (teaching and research-active institutions)
Career progression
Typical stages and roles. Years of experience are a rough guide; pay at each stage depends on the employer, award or agreement.
- Graduate0-2 yearsTypical roles: Graduate geologist, Site or exploration geologist, Junior geophysicist
- Geologist3-6 yearsTypical roles: Mine geologist, Exploration geologist, Resource geologist
- Senior geologist7-12 yearsTypical roles: Senior resource geologist, Senior exploration geologist, Project geologist
- Principal or Manager12+ yearsTypical roles: Principal geologist, Exploration manager, Chief geologist
Is this for you?
You might love this if
- You enjoy fieldwork in remote and physically demanding settings
- You are comfortable with FIFO or DIDO rosters during the early years
- You can read rock and turn observations into a 3D model
- You can ride out commodity-cycle ups and downs in your sector
- You are willing to do Honours and join AusIMM for senior progression
This might not suit you if
- You want a strictly city-based, 9-to-5 office role
- You are uncomfortable with heat, dust, remote camps or rotating shifts
- You prefer a sector that does not depend on commodity prices
- You dislike writing technical reports under JORC or regulatory standards
Ways in
Uni and TAFE routes for geologist. We only list pathways that actually lead to this occupation.
University
Bachelor degrees that lead to this career.
TAFE / VET
Nationally accredited Certificate and Diploma qualifications.
No direct TAFE pathway to this career.
Sources
ExamExplained does not publish predictive salary figures. For current Australian earnings data check Your Career (yourcareer.gov.au) directly. Career classifications follow the ABS ANZSCO 2022 release.