Engineering Professionals

How to become an Extractive Metallurgist

Researches, develops, tests, controls and provides advice on processes used in extracting metals from their ores, and processes used for casting, alloying or heat treating metals to produce commercial products or develop new alloys, techniques and processes.

Main tasks

Applies physical and chemical methods to separate and concentrate valuable minerals and metals from ores
Designs process flowsheets and metallurgical plant processes used to extract metals and minerals from ores
Manages process, metallurgical, smelter and refinery plant operational performance
Produces metal and mineral concentrates, and refined or alloyed metals for market
Analyses, develops, produces and improves the quality and purity of metals and alloys
Develops and improves control methods to store and treat waste material produced in extractive metallurgical processes

Ways in

University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $96,096 a year
About 14,900 people work in this job group now, and about 18,500 are projected by 2035. (+24.7%)
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Extractive Metallurgist?

Ways in include: Engineering degrees.

How much does an Extractive Metallurgist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $96,096 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Extractive Metallurgist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 25% by 2035, from about 14,900 to about 18,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Extractive Metallurgist?

Usually. 89% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Extractive Metallurgist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04