HD mechanics are some of the most in-demand tradespeople in the WA mining industry. BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, and every major labour hire company are constantly recruiting heavy duty fitters and mechanics for Pilbara, Goldfields, and Kimberley operations. But demand doesn't mean getting hired is easy — not when 200 people apply for the same role and an ATS decides who gets an interview.
This guide walks through exactly how to write an HD mechanic resume that gets past the ATS and into the hands of a recruiter. We'll cover what HD mechanics do on site, the tickets you need, how to structure your experience section, and real example bullet points that get interviews.
What HD Mechanics Do on Mine Sites
If you're already an HD mechanic, you know the job. But if you're transitioning from workshop or on-road heavy vehicle work into mining, here's what a typical role looks like:
Core responsibilities:
- Preventative and breakdown maintenance on heavy mobile equipment (HME)
- Scheduled servicing (250hr, 500hr, 1000hr services)
- Component changeouts — engines, transmissions, final drives, diff packs, steering cylinders
- Fault diagnosis using diagnostic software and service manuals
- Pre-start and safety inspections
- Workshop and field maintenance (you'll do both)
- Compliance with site safety standards, isolation procedures, and LOTO
Equipment you'll work on: The big names dominate mine sites. Your resume needs to mention specific makes and models, because that's what the ATS is scanning for.
- Caterpillar (CAT): 793F/D, 789D, 777G haul trucks; D11 dozers; 994K loaders; 16M graders
- Komatsu: 930E, 830E haul trucks; PC5500, PC4000 excavators; WA1200 loaders; D475A dozers
- Liebherr: T264, T284 haul trucks; R9800, R9400 excavators
- Hitachi: EX5600, EX3600 excavators; EH4500 haul trucks
- Other: Sandvik and Epiroc drill rigs, Atlas Copco compressors, Manitowoc cranes
If you've worked on it, name it. Don't just write "haul trucks" — write "CAT 793F and Komatsu 930E haul trucks."
Essential Tickets for HD Mechanics
Mining employers expect HD mechanics to hold a baseline set of certifications. Missing even one can cost you the job — or at least cost you ATS points.
Must-Have
- Trade Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology (or equivalent) — This is your bread and butter. Without a completed apprenticeship or trade qualification, you're not getting hired as a qualified mechanic.
- MR or HR Licence — Most sites require at least a Medium Rigid licence. Heavy Rigid opens up more doors, especially if you're expected to move equipment.
- Working at Heights (RIIWHS204E) — You'll be working on top of haul trucks and excavators. Non-negotiable.
- Confined Space (RIIWHS202E) — Required for work inside fuel tanks, sumps, and other enclosed spaces on equipment.
- First Aid / CPR (HLTAID011) — Standard requirement across all mine sites.
- White Card (CPCCWHS1001) — Construction induction card. Every site needs it.
Highly Recommended
- Gas Test Atmospheres — Required for hot work permits and confined space entry on some sites.
- Forklift Licence (TLILIC0003) — Useful for workshop work and moving components.
- EWP (Elevated Work Platform) — For accessing high-reach areas on large equipment.
- Dogging / Rigging — If you can sling loads and direct crane lifts, you're more valuable.
- Dangerous Goods Awareness — Common requirement for handling fuels, oils, and refrigerants.
Brand-Specific Certifications
Some employers want manufacturer-specific training. If you've done any CAT, Komatsu, or Liebherr training courses, list them. These stand out to recruiters.
- CAT SIS/ET diagnostic training
- Komatsu VHMS training
- Liebherr Lidat system training
- Cummins engine diagnostic training
How to Structure Your HD Mechanic Resume
1. Professional Summary
Your summary needs to establish your trade, your experience, your equipment expertise, and your safety record in 3-4 lines. This is the first thing both the ATS and the recruiter read.
Strong example:
Qualified Heavy Duty Mechanic (Trade Certificate III) with 10+ years' experience performing preventative and breakdown maintenance on CAT, Komatsu, and Liebherr heavy mobile equipment across Pilbara iron ore operations. Zero LTI record across 5,000+ site hours. Experienced with 2/1 and 8/6 FIFO rosters. Proficient in fault diagnosis, component changeouts, and hydraulic system repairs.
What makes it work:
- States the trade qualification
- Quantifies experience (10+ years, 5,000+ hours)
- Names specific equipment brands
- Mentions safety record (zero LTIs)
- References FIFO roster experience
- Uses keywords the ATS will pick up
Weak example:
Experienced mechanic with a strong work ethic looking for FIFO opportunities. Good communication skills and team player.
This tells the ATS nothing useful. No equipment names, no qualifications, no numbers.
2. Tickets and Licences Section
Put this right after your summary. Format as a clean list with expiry dates:
- Trade Certificate III — Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- HR Licence (MRWA) — Exp. 06/2029
- Working at Heights (RIIWHS204E) — Exp. 11/2027
- Confined Space (RIIWHS202E) — Exp. 11/2027
- Gas Test Atmospheres — Exp. 02/2028
- First Aid / CPR (HLTAID011) — Exp. 06/2028
- White Card (CPCCWHS1001) — No expiry
- EWP (TLILIC2005) — Exp. 03/2028
- Forklift (TLILIC0003) — Exp. 09/2027
- CAT SIS/ET Diagnostic Training — 2024
3. Safety Record
This is critical for mining. A dedicated section shows you take safety seriously — because mining companies certainly do.
Safety Record: Zero Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) across 10 years and 5,000+ hours in mining operations. Recipient of BHP Safety Recognition Award (2024). Active participant in toolbox talks, pre-start meetings, and hazard reporting. Current in JHA, SWMS, and Take 5 risk assessment procedures.
4. Key Skills
A focused list of 8-12 skills that match common HD mechanic job ads:
- Preventative and breakdown maintenance on heavy mobile equipment
- CAT, Komatsu, Liebherr, Hitachi equipment maintenance
- Fault diagnosis using diagnostic software (CAT SIS/ET, Komatsu VHMS)
- Component changeouts (engines, transmissions, final drives)
- Hydraulic, pneumatic, and steering system repairs
- Scheduled servicing (250hr, 500hr, 1000hr intervals)
- Isolation and LOTO procedures
- Pre-start inspections and defect reporting
- Workshop and field maintenance
- SAP/Pronto maintenance management systems
5. Work Experience
This is where you prove you can do the job. Each role should include:
- Job title — Use the title from the job ad if it matches your role
- Company and site — Name the mining company and the operation
- Location and dates — Include state and employment period
- Roster — Mention the FIFO roster type
- Bullet points — 4-6 achievement-focused points per role
Example Bullet Points That Get Interviews
These are real examples of the kind of bullet points that score well with ATS and impress recruiters. Notice how each one names specific equipment, quantifies the work, and uses mining industry language.
Maintenance and Servicing
- Performed scheduled and breakdown maintenance on a fleet of 15 CAT 793F haul trucks, maintaining 93% equipment availability across all shifts
- Completed 250hr, 500hr, and 1000hr services on CAT 789D and Komatsu 930E haul trucks in accordance with OEM specifications
- Conducted preventative maintenance inspections on Liebherr R9800 excavators, identifying and rectifying defects before component failure
- Maintained and serviced Komatsu D475A dozers and PC5500 excavators in both workshop and field environments
Component Changeouts
- Executed major component changeouts including CAT C175 engine replacements, Komatsu drive motor assemblies, and Liebherr hydraulic cylinder rebuilds
- Completed CAT 793F transmission changeout within 18-hour planned shutdown window, returning unit to service ahead of schedule
- Performed final drive and diff pack replacements on CAT 789D haul trucks, adhering to all isolation and LOTO procedures
- Assisted with Komatsu PC5500 slew bearing replacement during annual shutdown, working as part of a 6-person crew
Fault Diagnosis
- Utilised CAT SIS and ET diagnostic software to identify and resolve complex electrical and hydraulic faults on 793F and 777G haul trucks
- Diagnosed intermittent steering faults on Komatsu 930E haul truck using VHMS data analysis, identifying worn servo valve as root cause
- Troubleshot hydraulic system failures on Liebherr T264 haul trucks, reducing diagnostic turnaround time by 30%
- Performed oil sampling and analysis to identify early-stage bearing wear in CAT D11 dozer final drives
Safety and Compliance
- Maintained zero LTI record across 3 years at BHP Newman Hub operations, completing all work in accordance with site safety standards
- Conducted daily pre-start inspections on assigned equipment fleet and submitted detailed defect reports through site maintenance management system
- Participated in weekly toolbox talks, monthly safety meetings, and ad-hoc JHA reviews for non-routine maintenance tasks
- Implemented improved isolation procedures for CAT 793F wheel motor removal, adopted as site-wide standard procedure
What Makes a Great Professional Summary for HD Mechanics
Your professional summary is the most important paragraph on your resume. It's the first thing the ATS scans and the first thing a recruiter reads (if your resume gets that far).
A great HD mechanic summary includes:
- Your qualification — "Trade-qualified Heavy Duty Mechanic" or "Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology"
- Years of experience — Quantify it
- Equipment expertise — Name 2-3 brands
- Where you've worked — Pilbara, Goldfields, or specific operations
- Safety record — LTI history
- Roster experience — Show you've done FIFO before
- A standout skill — Diagnostics, component changeouts, or a specific system expertise
Showing Your Safety Record
In mining, safety isn't a section you can skip. Companies spend millions on safety programmes, and they want workers who share that commitment. Your resume should demonstrate safety awareness through:
- A dedicated safety record section near the top
- Specific mention of LTI-free hours or years
- References to safety processes you follow (JHA, SWMS, Take 5, toolbox talks)
- Any safety awards or recognition
- Evidence of proactive hazard reporting
Don't just write "strong safety awareness." Show it with specifics.
The Equipment Detail That Sets You Apart
Mining recruiters have told us the single biggest differentiator between resumes that get interviews and resumes that don't is equipment specificity.
"Maintained haul trucks" could mean anything. "Performed preventative and breakdown maintenance on CAT 793F and Komatsu 930E haul trucks across a fleet of 45 units" tells the recruiter exactly what you've done and whether it matches their site.
If you've worked on it, name the make, model, and fleet size. Every time.
Don't Let Formatting Cost You the Interview
You could be the best HD mechanic in the Pilbara — but if your resume uses tables, columns, or fancy formatting, the ATS will chew it up and spit it out. A clean, single-column Word document with standard headings will outperform a beautiful graphic resume every single time.
Your skills get you the job. Your resume gets you the interview. Make sure the ATS can actually read yours.
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