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 Workplace relations

Australia needs a modern and adaptable workplace system that attracts investment, drives sustainable wage growth, supports communities and contributes to national prosperity.

Overview

Mining is the largest contributor to the Australian economy, accounting for almost 10 per cent of GDP. The industry is the largest source of the nation’s export income, with the resources sector accounting for $413 billion (69 per cent) of the nation’s export revenue in 2021-22.

In addition, the mining industry:

  • Employed 286,000 people in 2020-21 – and directly and indirectly supports over 1.1 million jobs at over 200 operating mine sites and in supply chains
  • Pays more on average than any other industry in Australia ($148,000 a year compared to $96,800 across all industries) – with 99 per cent of mining workers earning above-Award wages and conditions
  • Provides secure jobs, with 86 per cent of mining workers employed on a permanent basis and 96 per cent employed full time.

Policy Priorities

Labour Hire and 'Same job, Same pay' legislation

Mining companies adapt their employment arrangements to suit very different locations, ore bodies, production techniques, occupations and worker preferences. Service contractors perform specialist tasks, ranging from the removal of overburden to planned maintenance shutdowns. By necessity, this requires a workforce that includes a combination of ongoing direct employees as well as service providers to perform specific tasks on a non-ongoing basis. Some companies use labour hire to manage temporary expansions and increases in demand, while others deploy specialised teams of employees for specific safety, environment and productivity projects.

Multi-employer bargaining

The reintroduction of multi-employer bargaining into the Australian workplace relations regime is also bad for job security and wages. It also risks exposing Australia’s most productive workplaces to strike action across entire industries or supply chains. Genuine enterprise agreements and individual arrangements allow firms to employ a diverse and adaptable workforce and link pay to productivity performance. The resources sector can only pay the highest average earnings in the country because it is a technological innovator and one of the most productive industries in the world.

Related Resources

  • MCA submission to DEWR - Same Job Same Pay - May 2023_16 May
  • MCA submission to DEWR - Employee-like forms of work_12 May
  • Stronger protections for workers against discrimination - Submission to government Consultation Paper, May 2023
  • Fair Work Legislation (Protecting Worker Entitlements) Bill 2023 – submission to Senate Committee Inquiry, April 2023
  • Proposed 2023 Workplace Relations legislation – submission to government, April 2023
  • Same Job, Same Pay consultation - submission to government, December 2022
  • Fair Work Legislation Amendments (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2023 – submission to Senate Committee inquiry, November 2022
  • CIE Estimating the economic benefits of mining expansion
  • Deloitte Report - Economic effects of changes to labour hire laws 2019

Related Articles

  • 04 September 2023

    Report highlights what is required to maintain Australia’s competitive edge in mining

    Read more
  • 16 June 2023

    Business is opposed to Government’s proposals to remove flexibility and choice in workplace

    Read more
  • 05 June 2023

    Business unites to oppose destructive IR changes

    Read more

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Other Policies

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Economic Policy

Australian mining is a nation builder and global leader. It is Australia’s largest exporter, company tax payer and investor in infrastructure.

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Workforce, innovation and skills

A highly skilled and technologically advanced future workforce will be required for the specialist mining occupations coming online.

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Trade and Investment

Trade, investment and economic co-operation maximise opportunities for Australia’s mining and minerals processing industry to boost national income, generate government revenue and create high value jobs.

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Safety and health

The safety, health and psychological wellbeing of the mining workforce is the industry’s number one value and commitment.

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Energy and climate change

To achieve net zero emissions, Australia requires a stable policy framework enabling all low emissions technologies to participate in competitive decarbonisation of the economy.

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Sustainability

The Australian minerals industry is committed to responsible mining through continual improvement of environmental stewardship and social performance and by contributing to sustainable development.

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