Shot Firer

A shot firer operates explosives in mining, quarrying, and civil construction sites to fragment rock and ore bodies. They prepare blast holes, load explosives according to blasting plans, and detonate charges using electronic or manual firing systems whilst managing safety protocols and environmental compliance.

Inspect blast holes for diameter, depth, and condition using measuring equipment and visual assessment before loading explosives. Calculate explosive charges and quantities required based on geological surveys, blast design plans, and rock type analysis. Load explosives (dynamite, ANFO, emulsion, or detonators) into blast holes using approved loading equipment and manual placement techniques. Install detonators, primers, and firing systems (electric, non-electric, or electronic) according to blast design specifications. Connect wiring or shock tube networks to link individual charges in planned sequence for timed detonation. Conduct pre-blast safety checks including perimeter clearance, warning systems, and escape routes. Operate electronic blasting machines or manual plungers to fire charges and initiate controlled detonation sequences. Record blast data including hole locations, explosive types, quantities, detonation times, and firing results in blast logs.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate II or III (ABS skill level 4). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You're handling explosives every day with zero room for mistakes. One miscalculation or distraction kills people. The certification burden is heavy (you need formal training and site-specific tickets), and once you're certified, you're the only person on site who can do this work, so you can't call in sick. The pay ceiling isn't great for the responsibility you carry.

Shot firers work where there's active mining, quarrying, or major civil construction. Employment follows extraction and construction projects, not metro areas. Remote work isn't possible. You go where the mines and quarries are.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 7122, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Check borehole depthcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Active Listening
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Data Entry and Accuracy
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Process Documentation
• Workload Self-Management

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026