A number of redundancies in the industry over recent months have dampened sentiment, though Hays said many of those made redundant were being offered temporary contracts for their previous positions.

In Western Australia, the rapid decline of the iron ore price is expected to negatively impact the number of jobs on offer as operators adjust to market conditions.

However, electrical and instrumentation technicians, mechanical fitters, gold process technicians, shutdown tradespeople, shutdown planners and reliability engineers have been identified as areas of demand in the state, with few qualified people available for these positions.

South Australian employment remains subdued as production levels stay low, though underground mechanical engineers and welding supervisors are in demand as many have left for oil and gas work elsewhere, and interstate companies are on the lookout for local project managers with underground experience.

With the coal price steady, New South Wales employers have increased the amount of contract-based employees as they look to hire technical experts for the short to medium-term.

Demand remains high in New South Wales for quality tradespeople in the mining related areas, with experienced boilermakers, welders, maintenance planners and plant and diesel mechanics sought after.

Job hunters in Queensland are encouraged to be proactive and talk to potential employers and recruiters, who are on the lookout for FIFO diesel fitters to fill demand at new mines.

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance opened a 100% FIFO mine at Caval Ridge in the state's centre last October, while Glencore's massive underground extension of the Ernest Henry mine was opened in June.

Experienced process engineers and mechanical maintenance supervisors are also sought after in Queensland.

Australia's unemployment rate currently sits at 6.3% after increasing by less than a percent in November.