Hays said vacancy levels had increased due to ongoing investment in minesite infrastructure and project developments, with coal mining operations one of the biggest movers in recruitment activity.

In spite of the slowdown in the banking and related sectors the resources market seemed to have remained largely unaffected, although the massive salary movements seen over the past few years had started to arrest.

“Despite the market’s strength, the rapid rise in salaries seen across all areas of the mining, engineering and construction markets over recent years has reached a plateau. This is most evident in Western Australia if not yet Queensland," Hays said.

Overall the survey, which includes over 90 resources and mining job roles, reported the majority of employers increased salaries between 3% and 6%.

Increases for coal technical positions were centred in Western Australia and Queensland for graduate engineers and geologists, project geologists and OH&S officers.

Mining expansion in New South Wales has also driven job growth forward.

According to the survey, longwall coordinators are earning $A120,000–140,000 in Queensland and $130,000–150,000 in NSW; undermanagers are grossing $120,000–140,000 in Queensland and $125,000–160,000 in NSW; and deputies are getting $105,000–130,000 in Queensland and $110,000–130,000 in NSW.

Other coal positions are commanding salaries ranging from $60,000 through to $180,000 include:

• Project manager: $120,000-180,000 (Qld), $120,000-140,000 (NSW);
• Technical services manager: $120,000-150,000 (Qld), $110,000-150,000 (NSW);
• Production superintendent: $120,000-160,000 (Qld), $100,000-120,000 (NSW);
• Project engineer: $100,000-125,000 (Qld), $85,000-110,000 (NSW);
• Senior engineer: $120,000-135,000 (Qld), $100,000-130,000 (NSW);
• Mine planning engineer: $100,000-120,000 (Qld), $90,000-120,000 (NSW);
• Graduate engineer: $70,000-90,000 (Qld), $60,000-80,000 (NSW);
• Project geologist: $90,000-110,000 (Qld), $80,000-110,000 (NSW);
• Graduate geologist: $70,000-90,000 (Qld), $70,000-80,000 (NSW);
• Surveyor: $90,000-110,000 (Qld), $80,000-110,000 (NSW);
• OH&S officer: $95,000-110,000 (Qld), $80,000-100,000 (NSW); and
• OH&S manager: $110,000-140,000 (Qld), $90,000-120,000 (NSW).

Hays said most companies had focused their retention strategies on improved benefits and conditions of work.

“Where there is a shortage of candidates, employers have become considerably more flexible and faster in their recruitment process, as well as being markedly more open to overseas campaigns to attract candidates," Hays said.

“In addition, the expectation that only mining candidates can fill mining jobs has passed as more employers move good quality staff around several projects and industry types.”

Hays added that, perhaps more so in this sector than any other, candidates should expect a counter offer when they resign.

“This can make decision making extremely difficult, so our advice is to ensure that your decision to test the market is based on sensible criteria and the right reasons,” Hays said.

“Using a job offer to leverage more salary from your current employer is not a tactic we recommend; think more broadly and carefully about the issues that are important to you in terms of environment, benefits and location."