Yancoal Graduate and Cadetship Program

Welcome to Yancoal. For 20 years, we have been supporting the prosperity of Australia. With over 4,500 people working across our operations, our team is made up of experts in their field. From engineers to operators, to environmentalists, surveyors, tradespeople, accountants, marketers and beyond – we are proud of our people and everything we achieve together as One Yancoal. Yancoal Australia now owns, operates or participates in nine producing coal mines across NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.

But mining is about much more than just the product we export or how it is used. The Australian mining sector creates rewarding careers. Mining allows Australian regional towns to thrive. Mining underpins government budgets and provides people, communities and societies with a future. Yancoal’s story goes beyond our product. It is about the positive impact we have on people’s lives and livelihoods: graduates getting a foot in the door; the people who serve us our morning coffee on the way to work; the local businesses we support; the environment we regenerate; the communities we nurture; the workplace culture we create; the mate ship we foster; and the Australian families that rely on us for a future.

Yancoal Graduates are the succession plan for our future leaders. We don’t expect you to have the knowledge yet – this is what the Yancoal Graduate Program is all about! It’s about building your capability on your career journey. We are looking for individuals who are courageous and focused on driving success for the company and themselves through their career pathway.

Mount Thorley Warkworth (MTW), NSW is one of the largest open cut operations in the area, located ten minutes from Singleton in the Beautiful Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. Our site operates continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has a long and proud history, employing nearly 1500 people from local and surrounding communities, who are our most valuable asset. 

Moolarben, NSW is one of Australia’s largest producers and has both Underground and Open cut operations. Our capable team comprises of nearly 1000 employees, most of whom reside in the beautiful Mudgee area. 

Premier, WA is a leading operation in Western Australia. Operating an open cut mine near Collie in the South West of WA, the operation produces coal for the domestic market.

Yarrabee, QLD  produces high-quality product for export. The team of approximately 400 people are made up of experts in their field.

Cameby, QLD is  a small open cut mine in the Surat Basin in Southern Queensland, between Chinchilla and Miles. We employ approximately 150 people and work hard to ensure we are contributing to our local communities. 

Ashton, NSW has been in operation for nearly 100 years and includes an underground coal mine, a Coal Handling and Preparation Plant, a rail siding and an open cut mine that has now been completed. It produces semi-soft coking coal (metallurgical coal for steelmaking) for export through the Port of Newcastle.


We’re focused on attracting those driven and curious individuals who will contribute to building our talent pipeline at Yancoal. If you are studying Mining, Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental, Process Engineering, Geology or Surveying, we want to learn more about you! 

We also understand that Civil Engineering has a number of learning attributes for Mining, so we encourage these students to join our Mining Engineering Graduate Program. If you’ve read this far and haven’t found your discipline, please feel free to get in touch to start a conversation about your career. There are hundreds of types of jobs across Yancoal. 

In addition to our Graduate Grogram, we have a tailored vacation program for these disciplines for students in their second or third year of study. This program creates a great opportunity to get some exposure to the fascinating and complex operations within the Mining Industry and at Yancoal and we will be there every step of the way to give you support and exposure in the Pit and Underground so you can excel in your chosen career.

What you receive:

  • Two year graduate programs with placement at up to two of our six Yancoal sites
  • You will be getting hands on experience in both opencut and underground mine site
  • Exposed to both operational and technical rotations
  • Mentorships by a senior leader based outside the site where you work
  • We offer competitive remuneration packages for our roles
  • Permanent placement at one of our mine sites at program completion
  • Accommodation or living away from home allowance
  • Novated vehicle leasing
  • A vast range of retail discounts including major department stores, cinemas, restaurants
  • Multiple types of flexible work arrangements
  • Access to financial advice from a leading bank
  • Salary Continuance and Life Insurance Cover
  • Salary sacrifice options, Service recognition rewards, Employee Assistance Programs

Our Program

Graduate Program

Our Graduate Program opens in March. In 2024 we are hiring for Mining (and Civil) Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Graduate Process Engineer and Surveying Graduate.

Within a two-year period, Graduates will undertake both operational rotations and technical rotations throughout our open-cut and underground mines. The complexity in mining conditions for both surface and underground Mining within Yancoal opens endless learning opportunities to enable Yancoal Graduates operational exposure with vast diversity. 

If you have a growth mindset to build on your current practical knowledge and you thrive on creativity, innovation and teamwork – you will be a great fit for our inclusive and positive workplace culture. We want to embrace your true and unique self in our supportive team environment so you feel a sense of belonging and feel valued and respected. 

Explore opportunities now!

What Kind of Graduate Are You?

During our two-year graduate program at Yancoal Australia, mining engineering graduates will embark on a dynamic journey of professional development and practical learning. In the first phase, you will be onboarded, while gaining insights into our company’s values, operations, and safety protocols. You will rotate through various departments, such as exploration, mine planning, operations, and environmental management, gaining exposure to the breadth of activities within the mining industry.

Graduates will work alongside seasoned professionals, contributing to real-world projects and initiatives while honing their technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, you will participate in training workshops, seminars, and have access to mentorship programs. As you progress through the program, graduates will have the opportunity to take on increasing levels of responsibility, culminating in a well-rounded skill set and a deep understanding of the mining sector.

Electrical engineering graduates help to support the create and improvement of the way we work at Yancoal. As a grad, you will undergo a comprehensive induction, acquainting yourself with our company’s electrical systems, safety protocols, and operational standards. You will then have the opportunity to immerse yourself in various aspects of electrical engineering, including power distribution, automation, instrumentation, and control systems. Graduates will work alongside seasoned electrical engineers, contributing to the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical infrastructure critical to mining operations.

You will embark on a comprehensive journey tailored to cultivate your expertise in the diverse domains of mechanical engineering. Initially, you will familiarise yourself with our company’s mission, values, and operational procedures. You will then rotate through various departments, gaining hands-on experience in each facet of mechanical engineering. Throughout the program, you will work closely with experienced engineers, contributing to innovative projects and problem-solving challenges. You will have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world applications, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to drive continuous improvement. 

Additionally, you will participate in specialised training programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives.

As a geology graduate, you will have the opportunity to build and hone your skills and expertise in the field of geology. Initially, you will familiarise yourself with our company’s geological exploration techniques, safety protocols, and industry best practices. You will have the opportunity to participate in fieldwork, conducting geological surveys, mapping, and data collection in diverse terrains and geological formations. Graduates will work closely with experienced geologists, contributing to the interpretation of geological data, the identification of mineral deposits, and the formulation of exploration strategies.

During our two-year graduate program, environment and community graduates will embark on a multifaceted journey focused on environmental stewardship and community engagement within the mining industry. Initially, you will immerse yourself in Yancoal’s environmental policies, community engagement initiatives, and sustainability goals. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including environmental scientists, community relations specialists, and regulatory compliance experts, to develop and implement strategies that minimise the environmental impact of our operations and foster positive relationships with local communities. Graduates will participate in fieldwork, conducting environmental assessments, monitoring programs, and community consultations to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and address stakeholders’ concerns.

Efficient coal processing requires an understanding of bulk material handling, physical and chemical properties, organics and mineralogy. Knowing which equipment and systems are best to exploit all these properties, specific to the coal type, to deliver the right specification at the right time, is key to your role. Guided by an experienced processing team, you'll delve into the intricacies of optimizing coal processing, planning, and delivering different product coal qualities to multiple markets. You may also be troubleshooting issues, data analysis, or CHPP equipment efficiency audits. Collaboration with maintenance, production, and other departments is integral, as is liaising with internal and external stakeholders.

Even when the raw materials have infinity variability, coal process engineers deliver the best product every day.

As a graduate surveyor, you'll hone your surveying expertise while immersing yourself in the intricacies of the mining industry. Initially, you'll undergo a thorough induction process to familiarise yourself with the company's safety protocols and systems. Working closely with experienced surveyors, you'll actively contribute to the day-to-day operations of both underground and open-cut mines, as well as engage in diverse projects spanning fieldwork and office tasks. This role offers the chance to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as drones, GNSS, laser scanners, and robotic total stations. Furthermore, you'll have access to specialised training programs and mentorship opportunities to further enhance your skills and professional development.

Vacation Student Program

Our Vacation Program is for second and third year students to get in-depth industry experience for 10-12 weeks over the summer breaks.

We are looking for students with the same qualities as our Graduates; a growth and learning mindset, and who are our future leaders!

The vacation program will be advertised in July/August each year with a planned commencement in late November/Early December until Mid-February. During the program you will undertake a value-add project in your discipline field, be exposed to the day-to-day mining operations and be developed professionally!

  • The vacation student program was commenced for the summer of 2019/2020, with 4 mining engineering students.
  • The 2022/2023 disciplines include: Electrical Engineering, Geology, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, Safety & Surveying and Environment.
  • In 2022/23 – 25 Vacation students were placed across Yancoal sites.

Explore opportunities now!

Mining Engineering Cadetship

The Mining Engineering Cadetship is targeted at high school students in their final year to choose Mining Engineering at University.

The cadetship is a five year program. 

  • In Year 1 & 2 the cadet works part time during the semester, and studies part time. In the university breaks, they work full-time. Their work is in operational areas at both open-cut and underground.
  • In Years 3, 4 & 5, the cadet studies full-time and completes vacation work in their field during their university break.
  • Following completion of the program, it is planned that the Cadet will be offered a Graduate role with Yancoal.

The Cadet Program Commenced in 2019, with an intake of 1 and has had an intake of three students in 2020, and two for 2021.

During the program, each Cadet is assigned a Mentor to provide support to the cadet and guide them in overcoming any obstacles.

Explore opportunities now!

Keep In Touch

Grad Program

We are excited that you are exploring opportunities in Yancoal for Graduate and Cadetship programs! If you can't find anything that you like at the moment, don't worry, just join our talent community here by providing some basic info of yours. And our team will contact you when there are more relevant programs available for you.

Upload Resume

Acceptable file types: DOCX, PDF, Image and Text files

No file chosen

Be Careful of Scams

Yancoal will never ask you to make any payment or to provide credit card details when applying for any of our positions. If you have any concerns regarding the authenticity of communications received representing Yancoal, please email recruitment@yancoal.com.au with the subject “Fraud Query”, outlining your concern.