Confidence was returning across Australia, but do not expect a big pay hike, Hays Resources regional director Chris Kent said.

“Employers are attempting to do more with less,” he said.

“They are still under pressure to manage costs and the ceiling for salary increases has lowered.

“But despite the many headlines about the end of Australia’s mining boom, recruitment activity is still strong in certain areas of resources and mining.”

In NSW, hiring activity is primarily focused on the coal space, with fixed and mobile plant operators and supervisors sought.

“We have also seen steady demand for blue collar workers such as fitters and mobile and process plant operators with coal experience in the Bowen Basin in Queensland,” Kent said.

The Hays study reveals salary and recruiting trends for more than 1,000 roles in 14 locations. It is based on a survey of 2,500 employers as well as placements made by Hays.

It found that 62% of resources and mining employers plan salary increases of less than 3% when they next review, while 52% gave increases of less than 3% in their last review.