Crane Operator Traineeships – Rio Tinto

We are committed to promoting diversity within Rio Tinto and as a special measure we strongly encourage women to apply, as we advance our business to more accurately reflect the world around us.

  • The perfect balance, our roster gives you more time for the things that are important in your life and to your family and community
  • Permanent employment which includes attractive trainee salary, annual bonuses and a huge range of additional benefits which are designed to make your life better
  • 8 days on, 6 days off continuous shift roster – ex Perth Airport only

About the role

We are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Cranes and Transport team in the Pilbara. If you’re eager to learn, develop new skills and build a long-term career in the resources industry, we want to hear from you. 

In this role, you will receive industry leading training and gain hands-on experience operating mobile cranes up to 100T as well as rigging duties in a maintenance and shutdown environment. You will have the opportunity to learn and grow your career working alongside skilled professionals and industry subject matter experts while gaining valuable industry knowledge. 

At Rio Tinto Iron Ore, you will be operating a modern fleet of mobile cranes with the latest technology and equipment to assist you in gaining the skills required to succeed in your new career.

These roles are for applicants currently residing in the Perth metropolitan area.

Reporting to the Cranes and Transport Supervisors and working in a challenging and exciting environment you will be required to:

  • Perform all activities associated with operating mobile cranes to support maintenance and shutdown activities across our Pilbara mine operations
  • Supporting site teams with dogging and rigging duties
  • Maintain mobile cranes and equipment to ensure cleanliness and operational availability
  • Provide technical support to site teams in relation to all lifting operations.
  • Ensure all risk assessments and lift plans are complete prior to all lifting activities.
  • Lifting equipment inspections
  • Participate in daily shift meeting and safety meetings

To be eligible for this traineeship opportunity you must:

  • Have the right to work in Australia without requiring sponsorship
  • Be 18 years of age
  • Hold a current full unrestricted C class manual drivers’ licence or higher.
  • Have the willingness to learn and develop mechanical aptitude as well as the physical stamina to work in an industrial environment for long hours.
  • Have the commitment to undertake a 36-month traineeship which includes completing rigging and dogging tickets plus any other high risk tickets as instructed.

Current Rio Tinto employees are not eligible to apply for this traineeship program. Please see the careers page for other internal opportunities.

What we offer 

Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress. 

  • An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest integrated portfolio of iron ore assets
  • A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
  • Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
  • A 36-month traineeship in a permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
  • A competitive traineeship base salary with an annual incentive program
  • Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
  • Attractive share ownership plan
  • Company provided insurance cover
  • Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
  • Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
  • Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
  • Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

Where we’re all welcome  

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us who we are.  

We acknowledge that all people are different and believe that our differences are our strength.  The diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together.   

Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.

Who we are

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.   

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.

Where you’ll be working

In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Rio Tinto operates the world's largest integrated portfolio of iron ore assets with industry-leading margins. Our premium product suite, including our flagship Pilbara blend, drives strong customer relationships and is supported by technical and commercial marketing expertise. The iron ore business continues to be the world's largest autonomous truck operator and a proud leader in automated mining technologies.

In Closing

Applications for this role will close on the 18/01/2025, however we do reserve the right to close the role earlier than stated. 

Please note, in order to be successfully considered for this role you must complete all pre-screening questions. You may also be required to complete on-line assessments as part of the selection process.

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

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Take your leadership career to the next level.

Where can Rio Tinto take you?

You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.

Take a look at Katie’s career journey

Take a look at Shona’s career journey

Rio Tinto employee Shona Markham

Rio Tinto employee Shona Markham

  • 2022 - Present
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  • 2021
    Superintendent Operations Centre
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  • 2020
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  • 2019
    Deputy Quarry Manager
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2018
    Development Supervisor
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  • 2017
    Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and Survey
    Pilbara, Western Australia
  • 2016
    Production Engineer
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  • 2015
    Mine scheduler - 2 week planner
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  • 2014
    Drill and Blast Engineer
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  • 2012
    Graduate Mining Engineer
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  • 2022 – Present
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  • 2017
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  • 2014
    Reduction line Manager – Boyne Smelters
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  • 2011
    Manager Health, Safety, Environment and business improvement Boyne Smelters
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  • 2010
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    Operations Superintendent
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  • 2005
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VIEW MORE

Working at Rio Tinto

Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.

The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.

Meaningful work

We’re industry innovators – driving responsible progress and exploring the boundaries of everything we do. And we work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy for everywhere we work. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Three female Rio Tinto employees smiling while sitting at a table under a tree

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. We’ll work with you to create a career plan, develop your skills, and further your education.

Female Rio Tinto worker holding hard hat and standing a railing

Excellent compensation and benefits

We offer great pay as well as a benefits package that recognises your contributions and provides you with everything you need to enjoy a truly rewarding life.

Man playing with daughter in the sand on a beach

Safety

Though we’re continually focused on discovering, developing, and delivering the materials that make human progress possible, the safety and wellbeing of our employees have been and always will be our bottom line.

Rio Tinto employee wearing jacket, hard hat and respirator

Inspiring people and an empowering culture

Whatever our individual roles, we’re each here to contribute to extremely important work. And we do it together. We inspire, encourage, empower and truly care for each other.

Two male Rio Tinto employees in jackets and hard hats in front of a processing plant - one employee is placing his hand on the other's shoulder

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Safety

The safety and well-being of our employees have been and always will be our priority. We do the work only if it is safe, and we invest to make sure every member of our team has the quality tools they need to do their job.

Rio Tinto employee wearing jacket, hard hat and respirator

Quality of life

Our rosters are designed to provide you with the flexibility you need to balance your work life with your home life, your family, and your other outside interests and commitments.

Male Rio Tinto employee with his smiling family, holding his son

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. We’ll work with you to create a career plan, develop your skills, and further your education.

Three smiling Rio Tinto employees wearing hard hats and protective eye wear enjoying a conversation

Meaningful work

We’re industry innovators – driving responsible progress and exploring the boundaries of everything we do. And we work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy for everywhere we work. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Smiling female employee wearing a hard hat and goggles in front of industrial equipment

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Quality of life

We’re committed to providing you with the flexibility you need to balance your work life with your home life, your family, and your other outside interests, passions, and commitments.

Female Rio Tinto employee and her son playing foosball in an arcade

People and culture

Whatever our individual roles, we’re each here to contribute to extremely important work. And we do it together. We inspire, encourage, empower and truly care for each other.

Three smiling Rio Tinto employees gathered around a small conference table

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. We’ll work with you to create a career plan, develop your skills, and further your education.

Female Rio Tinto employee is business casual clothing presenting to large group in auditorium

Meaningful work

We’re industry innovators – driving responsible progress and exploring the boundaries of everything we do. And we work hard to leave a lasting, positive legacy for everywhere we work. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Female Rio Tinto employee in high technology center writing on glass board

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes us different.

Female Rio Tinto employee in foreground working on laptop with other employees in the background

Inspiring people and an empowering culture

Whatever our individual roles, we’re each here to contribute to extremely important work. And we do it together. We inspire, encourage, empower and truly care for each other as we live out the values and deliver the performance that defines Rio Tinto.

Diverse group of smiling Rio Tinto employees standing over table looking at project plans

Meaningful work

You’ll be joining a global technical community with the best tools and data at your fingertips. We are innovation leaders and are committed to advancing the promise of a more sustainable world. Nothing could be more rewarding.

Two male Rio Tinto employees controlling large, state-of-the-art drone

Quality of life

Enjoy efficient and effective work processes with strong support to help you balance your other interests and commitments.

Male Rio Tinto employee with his smiling family, holding his son

Opportunities for growth

With a business as expansive and diverse as ours, the opportunities for professional advancement are limitless. Our technical development programs are industry-leading and enable you to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills.

A male and a female Rio Tinto employee are at a project site and looking at a computer tablet

A commitment to inclusion and diversity

We’re committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Opportunities for learning and development

You can build on your education with real-world work that makes a difference. With our Global Development Program and other key initiatives, you’ll help shape the future of Rio Tinto as you enhance your professional potential and broaden your career options. You’ll network with experienced industry leaders and expand your knowledge base through many specific development activities.

Two Rio Tinto employees look on as a third employee writes on a white board

Meaningful work

You’ll get to work on a variety of assignments that present exciting challenges and complexity. If you receive rotations, you’ll also participate in many different roles, teams, and environments.

A female Rio Tinto professional in business attire sitting at a desk in an office setting

A focus on sustainability

You’ll be able to play a significant role in sustainability initiatives and help us develop global solutions for environmental and climate change challenges.

Wind turbine in field of flowering bushes

Inspiring people and an empowering culture

You’ll experience the benefits of our unique culture. Our leadership is active, engaged, supportive, and ready to help you translate your education into a rewarding career.

Diverse group of Rio Tinto employees walking through industrial building

A commitment to Inclusion and Diversity

We’re committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity and value our differences for the strength and diversity they bring to our organisation.

Close-up of a line of work boots with rainbow-colored laces on clay soil

Life at Rio Tinto

We’re a mining and metals company with operations in 35 countries around the world. We work in an incredible variety of settings – in mines, smelters, and refineries; in sales offices and data centres; in research facilities and development labs; and with artificial intelligence. All of this adds up to tremendously varied lifestyle options. We’ll work with you to determine the lifestyle opportunities that are available for your role.

1/6

Residential

You’ll be part of a friendly, welcoming community close to our mining operation. You’ll be home after each shift to enjoy your life away from work.

2/6

FIFO

Flying into a site, staying at a camp for the duration of your roster, then flying home again. We call this FIFO.

3/6

BIBO

For certain sites, you will take a bus or a boat into the site, stay at a camp, and then bus or boat out again.

4/6

Operations Centre

Advanced facilities in certain regions enable our teams to control some systems remotely.

5/6

City hubs

State-of-the-art offices connect you seamlessly with colleagues around the world.

6/6

Our application process

01

Apply

The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.

02

Undergo assessments

Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.

03

Interview(s)

Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.

04

Offers and checks

At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.

05

Join the Rio Tinto team

Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.

01

Apply

The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.

02

Undergo assessments

Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.

03

Interview(s)

Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.

04

Offers and checks

At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment. depending on the role. you have applied for.

05

Join the Rio Tinto team

Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.

Your questions answered

Your questions answered

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