BHP FutureFit Academy
Find out more
At BHP's FutureFit Academy there is plenty of support during your training and studies!
Once you have successfully completed your training and obtained your qualification, you will deploy to one of our BHP mine sites located in QLD, SA or WA to utilise your skills.
What's on offer?
The academy is ideal for people looking to enter the mining industry or get a start through a traineeship or apprenticeship in a hands-on role.
All our FFA graduates are permanent employees from day one, trained in a safe, immersive learning environment, and once qualified to the required level, start work at one of BHP’s operational sites where they will be provided with the opportunity to further develop their career in a Maintenance or Production role.
The BHP FutureFit Academy currently offers a choice of two entry pathways, either maintenance or production and on successful completion you will gain a nationally recognised qualification:
1. Maintenance: Our maintenance pathways are designed for people who have a mechanical aptitude, enjoy removing/ replacing components and servicing machinery. Our maintenance teams are essential in keeping all our equipment such as our trucks and conveyers working effectively on our sites.
2. Transition to trade qualification: After successful completion of the Maintenance Associate program with FutureFit Academy (FFA) and 12 months being deployed, if the Maintenance Associate is selected and has interest in completing a trade, they can go back to FFA and study for another 12 - 18 months. This will function more like a traditional trade, with time split between the FFA and completing practical skills on site.
Training types on offer:
Heavy Diesel - Maintenance Associate
Locations for training: Perth, WA
Pathway: Maintenance
Course length: Traineeship – 12 months
Qualification: Cert II Engineering – Production Technology
Available Course continuation: Apprenticeship
What you will be doing: Repair and maintenance of heavy diesel vehicles
Watch the video below to learn more about this training pathway.
Mechanical Fitting / Fixed Plant - Maintenance Associate
Locations for training: Perth, WA
Pathway: Maintenance
Course length: Traineeship – 12 months
Qualification: Cert II Engineering – Production Technology
Available Course continuation: Apprenticeship
What you will be doing: Repair and maintenance of equipment
Watch the video below to learn more about this training pathway.
New to Industry - Production Operator
Locations for training: Mackay, QLD
Pathway: Production
Course length: 2 months training in a safe, immersive learning environment and 10 months learning in the field with supportive trainers
Qualification: RII30120 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
What you will be doing: Loading and moving materials in large vehicles on a mine site, such as dump trucks
Watch the video below to learn more about this training pathway.
Polymer Processing/ Conveyor Belt Splicing Apprenticeship
Locations for training: Perth, WA
Pathway: Maintenance
Course length: Apprenticeship – 2 years
Qualification: PMB30121 - Certificate III in Polymer Processing
What you will be doing: Conveyor belt maintenance and repair
Auto Electrical Apprentice
Locations for training: Perth, WA
Pathway: Maintenance
Course length: Apprenticeship – 2 years
Qualification: Cert III in Automotive Electrical Technology
What you will be doing: Working on the electrical systems of vehicles
Boilermaking/Fabrication Apprentice
Locations for training: Perth, WA
Pathway: Maintenance
Course length: Apprenticeship – 2 years
Qualification: Cert III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
What you will be doing: Cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing the metal the manipulation of raw materials (such as steel) and develop skills in brazing and welding procedures
These training programs, which are delivered through the BHP FutureFit Academy, have been developed in conjunction with respected Registered Training Organisations, South Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52787) and North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52786) Perth.*
*Please note this information does not apply to all of BHP’s operations and BHP also offers other traditional apprentice and traineeship pathways across its sites directly. These opportunities will be posted on our careers site and you can be alerted about these by signing up to job alerts in your candidate profile.
If you cannot see the role you would like to apply for via the links above, please be aware that the intake at the BHP FutureFit Academy can vary based on business needs and deployment schedules. Please don't be discouraged if there are no roles available when you search - in the meantime, we encourage you to set-up a job alert so you will be emailed when applications do open.
Does this sound like you?
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At the BHP FutureFit Academy, all participants will follow a 7/7 roster. This schedule typically involves working seven consecutive days from 6am - 3:30pm, followed by a week off. After that, the routine shifts to seven days from 1:30pm to midnight, again followed by a week off.
Please note: If you cannot see the role you would like to apply for via the links, please be aware that the intake at the BHP FutureFit Academy can vary based on business needs and deployment schedules throughout the year.
Please don't be discouraged if there are no roles available when you search - in the meantime, we encourage you to set-up a job alert so you will be emailed when applications do open. Plus, don't forget to check out the video with hints and tips for updating your resume before you apply for a role with us.
Heavy Diesel Fitter Apprenticeship
|
BHP FutureFit Academy Role |
RTO | Qualification Code and Name |
| Mechanical Fitter Maintenance Associate Traineeship OR Heavy Diesel Fitter Maintenance Associate Traineeship | QLD: Central Queensland University (RTO 40939) | MEM20219 - Certificate II in Engineering - Production Technology |
| Mechanical Fitter Maintenance Associate Traineeship OR Heavy Diesel Fitter Maintenance Associate Traineeship | WA: North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52786) | MEM20105 - Certificate II in Engineering & MEM20219 - Certificate II in Engineering - Production Technology |
| Mechanical Fitter Apprenticeship | QLD: Central Queensland University (RTO 40939)
WA: North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52786) |
MEM30219 - Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade |
| Heavy Diesel Fitter Apprenticeship | QLD: Central Queensland University (RTO 40939)
WA: North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52786) |
MEM31419 - Certificate III in Engineering - Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic |
| Production Operator Traineeship | QLD: Central Queensland University (RTO 40939) | RII30120 - Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations |
| Polymer Processing Apprenticeship (Conveyor Belt Splicing) | WA: North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52786) | PMB30121 - Certificate III in Polymer Processing |
| Automotive Electrical Apprenticeship | WA: North Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52786) | AUR30320 - Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology |
| Fabrication Apprenticeship | WA: South Metropolitan TAFE (RTO 52787) | MEM30319 - Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade |
- From day 1, as a Trainee you will receive a competitive annual salary as you learn throughout the first 12 months of study.
- As an Apprentice you will receive the same competitive salary as a Trainee for the first 12 months of study. Apprentices will receive a salary increase in their second year.
- Applicants will be advised of their salary during the interview process.
- Following completion of your training program, you will be offered a position onsite and your salary will be reviewed. You will also be entitled to earn a Short-Term Incentive (STI) bonus payment.
As a permanent employee with BHP, you are also entitled to a wide range of benefits, such as;
- BHP’s SharePlus Program
- Novated lease plans
- Career development / training opportunities
- Big Thanks Employee Recognition Program
- Discounted Leisure & Entertainment Memberships
- Flexible working arrangements / opportunities
- Community and wellness programs
Read more about the culture and rewards on offer at BHP: Culture and rewards | BHP
Accommodation is not provided whilst you are training in our facilities in Mackay or Perth. Upon successful completion of the program, when you are working on site, camp accommodation will be provided during your swing (for applicable rosters). Fatigue rooms are provided in some cases before and after your swing.
Students are entitled to six weeks annual leave per annum.
Two blocks of that leave (or 16 shifts) will be allocated the same way other learning institutions have fixed periods of leave. One of those blocks of leave will align with the June/July school holidays, and one block will align to the Christmas/New Year period.
1. Check that you have current documentation to show you have Australian working rights ready to go.
2. If successful in progressing you’ll be required to complete some online assessments:
- An assessment of inductive reasoning: Inductive tests are designed to assess your ability to identify underlying patterns in information and predict outcomes using that information.
- An assessment of situational judgement which assesses your ability to make judgements about the appropriate responses to workplace situations. This tool will also provide you with valuable insight into the types of situations you are likely to encounter on the job.
- An assessment of mechanical comprehension: Mechanical comprehension tests are designed to assess your understanding of using, troubleshooting, and performing maintenance on machinery.
3. The process will also include behavioural based interviews. It’s suggested you follow the STAR model to provide a structured manner of responding to behavioural – based interview questions by discussing the specific situation, task, action and result of the situation you are describing.
- Situation or Task – Describe the situation you were in or the task that needed accomplishing
- Action – Describe the action you took to address the situation
- Result – Describe the outcome of your actions
Example question:
Tell me about a time when you performed well under pressure. What was the situation, what actions did you take and what was the result?
For more information on our process and hints and tips to help you on your journey please look at the BHP recruitment process (Recruitment process | BHP).
Below is an insight into selection process:
Applications are reviewed and screened to ensure minimum requirements are met. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Australian working rights and work history.
- Candidates that meet this criteria, are progressed to the next stage of online skills based assessments which should be completed within 5 days.
- Following a successful assessment, candidates will be invited to attend a face to face or virtual Engagement Centre where candidates will participate in a group presentation, Q & A session, a group activity and individual behavioural based interviews with a BHP representative.
- After an Engagement Centre, candidates may be requested to complete Pre-Employment Checks.
Candidates that successfully complete the pre-employment checks will then progress to a talent pool and will be considered for upcoming opportunities with the program.
To read more about the BHP Recruitment process see here: Recruitment process | BHP.
After your interview you will be notified by email if you have been successful or unsuccessful – we try and do this within one week of your interview.
If you are successful, we will send you an email to progress you through to a medical and pre-employment checks, which might also include criminal and background checks. This process can take around 6-8 weeks depending on the checks required, so please be patient as this is outside our control.

The waiting period for each applicant will differ depending on preferred program and location, as well as current operational requirements. BHP will endeavour to give you as much notice as possible if you are successful and your Talent Acquisition Specialist can keep you informed throughout the process.
