According to the guide, 14% of resources and mining employees can expect a salary increase of between 3 and 6% in their next review. Just 1% can expect an increase of between 6 to 10%, while another 1% can expect 10% or more.

Instead 44% of Australia’s resources and mining workers will receive an increase of less than 3%. The final 40% will receive no increase.

The Hays Salary Guide includes salary and recruiting trends for over 1,000 roles in 14 locations in Australia and New Zealand. It is based on a survey of 2,752 organisations, representing over 2.6 million employees.

Hays Resources & Mining regional director Chris Kent said: “Overall, it’s clear that employers remain reluctant to offer increases unless absolutely necessary to secure a candidate with skills in short supply.

“Global commodity prices remain at historically low levels and while Australia’s miners are resilient, many took big steps to create leaner workforces and lower their production costs. In this cost conscious environment, any salary increases remain minimal.”

According to Hays, over the last year 59% of resources and mining employers offered no salary increases.

Those who did receive a salary increase found that their wallets were not that much heavier. 26% received an increase of less than 3%, 10% saw their pay increase from 3 to 6%, and 4% received 6% to 10%. Just 1% received an increase of more than 10%.

But Hays warns employers not to be complacent.

“In other industries employees are starting to take matters into their own hands and ask for a pay rise,” Kent said.

“Staff turnover has increased in 29% of organisations. While resources & mining is not in the same position as many other industries in this regard, employers should still be ready for employees to seek some form of financial or non-financial reward after the lack of salary increases in recent years.”