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Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the decision to restrict all interstate FIFO workers, apart from statutory positions and critical workers was working to change the interstate footprint.
There are about 1000 interstate FIFO workers operating in Queensland.
"I've spoken with our members today and they are reporting significant drops in the number of interstate FIFO workers as of Saturday night with only critical workers approved,'' Macfarlane said.
"I'd like to personally thank the chief health officer Jeannette Young and the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy for working tirelessly over the past few days to process the statutory and critical worker applications.
"Arrow Energy is reducing its FIFO into Moranbah by about 30% while other companies are also cutting intrastate FIFO numbers and moving to full charter flights with temperature testing for intrastate travel."
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union wants miners to help mineworkers affected by the ban to move locally if they wish to.
CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland president Stephen Smyth said worker and community confidence in safety was essential to the continued operation of the mining industry during the COVID-19 crisis.
"We want Queensland's mining industry to keep operating, to keep people in work and keep the economy going," he said.
"But it must be done safely.
"We accept that the Queensland Government's decision to remove the exemption for interstate FIFO workers from the state's travel ban was made in support of community safety.
"Now, mining companies must act urgently to offer affected workers appropriate housing near their worksites in regional Queensland, on a voluntary basis.
"Mining companies must cover relocation and housing costs whether the worker is permanent or labour hire.
"We understand these arrangements would put a strain on families, but we believe it's an appropriate temporary measure to support workers and address concerns of host mining communities at this time."
