Copper SA Indigenous Apprentice Program 2027 Intake

About BHP

At BHP, we support our people to grow, learn, and realise their potential. With a global

portfolio of operations, we offer an inclusive environment with diverse career opportunities.

Our strategy is centred on creating safe, respectful workplaces where all employees feel

connected to our values and purpose.

In South Australia, BHP has a deep commitment to the traditional owners of the land upon which it operates. We strongly encourage applications from Kokatha, Barngarla, Kuyani, Dieri, Arabana and Antakarinja peoples together with other traditional owners. Providing employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is an important part of our 2023 – 2027 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). For more information about our RAP, please visit here.

About Copper South Australia

BHP’s Copper South Australia (Copper SA) asset comprises three world-class operations, Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill, supported by a central smelter and refinery, alongside the Oak Dam exploration project. Together, these assets host some of the world’s most significant deposits of copper, gold, silver and uranium. With a strong pipeline of growth projects across the portfolio, there’s never been a more exciting time to join BHP in South Australia.

About the Role

We are seeking motivated and passionate applicants to join our 2027 Apprenticeship Program, with opportunities available across Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill, commencing in January 2027.

Over the course of this four-year apprenticeship, you’ll gain hands-on, industry-leading training and mentoring from BHP’s experienced workforce. You can expect excellent working conditions, enrolment with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and the opportunity to achieve a nationally recognised qualification in your trade upon successful completion.

At BHP, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace that reflects the communities in which we operate. We value high performance, safety, teamwork, strong Indigenous participation and gender balance, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Nationally Accredited Trades Certificates being offered may include:

•        Auto Electrical

•        Boilermaker

•        Electrical

•        Mobile Plant (Heavy Diesel)

•        Mechanical Fitting

What can BHP offer you?

•        Hands on training with an industry leader

•        Nationally accredited qualifications

•        Skills & experience to gain a career as a trades person in the resources industry

•        Work as part of a collaborative & supportive environment

•        Competitive remuneration package and employee benefits

•        First-rate working conditions and development opportunities

If successful, apprentices will be employed under a 4-year fixed term contract. Apprentices are expected to work and attend Trade School in South Australia as per South Australian Apprenticeship requirements.

About You

We are eager to engage with people who have a genuine interest their chosen trade and come from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

• Identify as Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander   
• A school leaver looking for a practical alternative to further study, or someone ready to step into a more stable, hands-on career  
• Curious about mining and open to trying something new  

You’ll be a great fit if you: 

• Have a genuine interest in your chosen trade (through school, hobbies, or life experience) 
• Are motivated, reliable, and take pride in your work 
• Understand that this is a demanding environment and are ready to step up 
• Take safety seriously and look out for your team 
• Enjoy working as part of a team 

Want to know more? Click here to watch the video, where you can meet some of our current apprentices and hear about their experience at Prominent Hill mine in South Australia, on the traditional lands of the Antakirinja Matu‑Yankunytjatjara people.

This opportunity is currently open to external applicants only. Internal opportunities will be shared separately.

About Our Process

At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are a number of checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants suitability for a role including police / criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and/or reference checks.

We’ve created a Candidate Guide to support you through each step of BHP’s recruitment process. You can download it here, to learn what to expect and how we make the experience culturally safe, respectful and accessible.

We know that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it fair and accessible for your individual situation. If applicable - please contact us at inclusion@bhp.com, so we can work with you on this.

Supporting a Diverse Workforce 

At BHP, we know that we are strengthened by diversity. We are an Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to making BHP a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and be at their best every day.

Wherever we operate, BHP respects the rights of Indigenous peoples. In Australia, our Reconciliation Action Plan reflects how we seek to contribute to long-term  economic empowerment, social development priorities and cultural well-being of Indigenous peoples in Australia. Many of our operations are located on or near Indigenous traditional lands. We acknowledge and respect the cultural heritage and collective rights of those

Indigenous peoples.

We are focused on creating a workforce that’s more diverse and represents the communities where we work and live, providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. We recognise that true diversity includes gender, age, race, disability status, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education levels, and many more aspects of your identity.

BHP is committed to an inclusive culture, including providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all.

The positions will be open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants. The filling of these positions is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA),