Rio Tinto Graduate Programs & Internships

We work in 36 countries – in mines, smelters and refineries, as well as in sales offices, data centres, research and development labs and with artificial intelligence. Our geologists explore the Earth’s wildest terrain. Our wildlife specialists work to protect and conserve grizzly bears in Canada and migratory shorebirds in Western Australia. Our marketing teams make sure our essential materials meet the specific needs of customers around the world. In Australia, our archaeologists work alongside Indigenous Australians to preserve 40,000-year-old rock art.

We are home to one of the world’s largest robots and maybe one of the smallest – we call him Mark. We built a wind farm 200 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle to help power our diamond mine, and in 2018 became the only major mining company to stop producing fossil fuels, including coal. We want to be part of the solution to climate change, and believe we are.

We aim to deliver superior returns to our shareholders throughout the cycle by meeting our customers’ needs, allocating capital with discipline, and investing in high-quality projects and in industries with solid, long-term fundamentals.

We were founded in 1873, on the banks of the Rio Tinto river in Andalusia, Spain. We are proud of everything we have achieved. At Rio Tinto, we know our future is even brighter than our past.

Our four product groups bring our purpose to life: Aluminium, Copper & Diamonds, Energy & Minerals and Iron Ore. These are complemented by our Growth & Innovation and Commercial groups, as well as our service and support functions.

How do our graduates impact millions of lives? At Rio Tinto, your hard work, dedication and outside-the-box thinking will help deliver the materials behind human progress. Like the copper for wind turbines. The iron in our skyscrapers. And the borates for crops that feed the world. Experience a challenging, flexible and rewarding career that takes you places: from big cities to breathtaking, remote landscapes. How will your story begin?

We employ graduates across our global business and look for curious and creative minds who want to bring different perspectives into our company. Here, you can work in a number of different roles, locations and areas of our business.

We work in some of the most remote, beautiful places in the world – like the Northwest Territories in Canada and Weipa in Far North Queensland, Australia – as well as in major metropolitan hubs like Montreal, Perth, Brisbane and Singapore.

You can work in exploration, looking to discover the next mineral source, or use data analytics to improve productivity. You can work in cyber security and mine geology, or with our logistics team, helping to get products to our customers faster and more reliably. You can help plan our mine infrastructure, or with our HR team, to make sure the right people are in the right place at the right time. The possibilities are endless.

The Graduate Programme

We want you to help us shape what Rio Tinto will look like in the years to come. Come join us, challenge the way we do things and helps us to look for opportunities to reinvent mining.

We know that work is changing so our graduate programme is designed to prepare you for the leadership roles of the future. To help you explore our company and develop your career, during your two years as a graduate, you will be able to participate in:

• Individual coaching and mentoring sessions
• Online learning sessions with your peers around the world
• Graduate summits where you will learn and build your networks – not only with fellow graduates, but also with our senior leaders and technical experts
• You will also have the chance to learn from world-class online learning materials and other resources selected by our experts

Here are some things our graduates say about working at Rio Tinto:

“As a Rio Tinto Graduate, I have the chance to do what I love: work in a challenging, fast-paced work environment; learn from mentors who are experts in their respective fields; and ski the slopes! All in the same day!” –Gordy Noel, Rio Tinto Graduate and an avid skier.

“I started my Rio Tinto Graduate journey as a FIFO (Fly-in Fly-out) Engineer in East Pilbara, where I learnt about grade management and development scheduling,” shares Graduate Mining Engineer, Samar Obeid. “Now, I work on diverse projects with the Technical Services General Manager in Perth City.”

“It’s been such an exhilarating experience! I’ve learnt so much in just one year. And I’m really excited to explore the next year of my graduate programme.”

“I love working for Rio Tinto! I enjoy the diverse experiences on offer; some days you get to immerse yourself in stunning views while at other times, you’re working in the outback.” –Nicole Gardner, Graduate Geologist

Our Programme

Our Vacation Programme runs from December to February. It’s a challenging and fast-paced 12 weeks, in which you’ll put theory into practice to deliver results. With guidance and support at every step of the way you’ll complete a number of job-based assignments related to your area of study. Our Vacation Programme opens the opportunity to collaborate with graduates, leaders and technical experts. It’s important to us that by the end of the programme, you’ve a greater technical understanding, confidence and passion to pursue your career in your field of study.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for motivated students who want to learn. Those excited by new environments and ready for the challenge ahead. Rio Tinto ‘s Vacation Programme presents a great opportunity for those who wish to be considered for a future Graduate position, the beginning of a long and rewarding career with Rio Tinto.

We’re seeking university students studying in the following fields:

• Chemical / Process Engineering
• Civil / Structural Engineering
• Computer Science / Software Engineering
• Control Systems Engineering
• Data Analytics / Data Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Geology / Geosciences
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Health / Safety / Environment
• Hydrogeology
• Hydrology
• Industrial Automation / Robotics Engineering
• Information Systems & Technology
• Materials Engineering
• Mathematics / Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Metallurgy
• Mining Engineering
• Survey

Role vacancies are subject to business requirements.

Vacation Programme and Application Process FAQs:

Q: What is the Vacation Programme?

A: Rio Tinto’s Vacation Programme runs for 12 weeks and is aimed at providing university students with the opportunity to gain hands on industry experience, apply their skills and learning and get a taste for what it’s like to work at Rio Tinto.

As part of the Programme you will complete a number of job-based assignments related to your areas of study. It’s important to us that you feel welcome to Rio Tinto and prepared for valuable on the job learning. As such you will be partnered up with a buddy to provide you with guidance and support, and for the duration of your time with us you will receive regular feedback and coaching. For students in their penultimate or final year, the Rio Tinto Vacation Programme is a great opportunity should you wish to be considered for a Graduate position with us in 2021.

Q: Is the Rio Tinto Vacation Student Programme a paid work experience programme?

A: Absolutely! Successful Students will be doing real work and will be paid.

Q: In which location will Rio Tinto Vacation Students be working?

A: Rio Tinto has numerous operating sites and processing plants across Australia, as well as offices in Perth and Brisbane. We also provide fantastic opportunities to work in remote regions as part of the programme. Students should be prepared and open to working and living in these types of environments.

Q: Does Rio Tinto provide travel assistance?

A: Students who are successful in securing a role and who are required to relocate temporarily to the job location will be eligible to receive some financial assistance in terms of flights. Students who will be positioned in a residential community (excluding city locations) will also be provided accommodation for the duration of the programme.

Q: What are the minimum eligibility requirements for the Australian Rio Tinto Vacation Programme?

A: To be eligible for the Vacation Programme you must have unrestricted working rights, or be able to obtain unrestricted working rights in Australia (Citizen, Permanent Resident, and Australian Student Visa). Unfortunately, for first year students we’re unable to consider you this time round, but we would love to see you apply in the future.

Q: What should I put in my resume/cv?

A: It’s important to provide the anticipated month and year of your graduation, outline your work experience including how much time you spent working i.e. two weeks, three months, or part time 10 hours a week etc. Volunteer experience is relevant experience, so make sure you include that, as well as any sporting or academia groups you represented. This also extends to any personal achievements such as obtaining a black belt in martial arts or a pilot’s licence for example. This demonstrates team work, leadership, commitment and thirst for learning. It’s important to remember to keep your resume simple.

Q: Do I need to submit a cover letter?

A: No. Unless we specifically request a cover letter, then one is not required.

Q: As an applicant to the Rio Tinto Vacation Programme, how many stages are there, and what can I expect?

A: On applying you will be asked to complete a series of questions which will help us determine your suitability/ eligibility. Selected applicants will then be asked to complete a series of online behavioral games (Pymetrics, 30 minutes), a personality questionnaire and an abilities assessment (SHL one hour).

From here chosen applicants will be progressed to participate in an interview with a Rio Tinto Hiring Leader and a member of our Graduate Talent team, this will be conducted via live video streaming.

Successful candidates will be provided with a Letter of Offer which is subject to checks. These include; background, immigration and medical check.

Q: Who should I contact if I am having technical difficulties with my application or online assessments?

A: If you are having issues with your application or online profile you can contact the Graduate Recruitment team. Should your inquiry/ issue be in relation to one of the online assessments, then we would ask you to please contact the appropriate technology provider i.e. Pymetrics or SHL. You should find the correct contact details provided in the email invitations sent to you by the provider.

Our values, experience and history tell us that we must work in a way that delivers real, lasting benefits for the owners of our company as well as the wider communities in which we operate.

We must care for our employees, respect and care for the environment when we explore, build and operate, and repurpose or rehabilitate the land when our operations come to an end. We must contribute our fair share to local and national economies, including through the payment of taxes and royalties, and do so transparently. These beliefs are the foundation of our views on sustainability.

In 2018, we launched our first integrated sustainability strategy. This strategy commits us to adopt high standards, often going beyond legal requirements, on the sustainability issues that are material to our business, our employees, the communities that host us and the customers that buy and use our products.

Our goal is to achieve consistent, high-quality social and environmental performance across all of our operations and to increase our stakeholders’ knowledge of how we work through meaningful disclosures and transparency. We have also made an effort to better understand, engage and partner with our key stakeholders to create sustained, mutual value.

We support the 2030 development agenda and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our portfolio is also an important part of our sustainability strategy. In 2018, we became the only major player in our industry to have a portfolio free of fossil fuel production. Today, our portfolio comprises commodities with solid long-term fundamentals, including those critical for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Our Climate Change Strategy

1. Producing materials essential for a low-carbon future
We supply the metals and minerals essential to human progress. Each of the commodities we produce has a role to play in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

2. Reducing the carbon footprint of our operations
Many of our operations are highly energy-intensive and some of our industrial processes also result in GHG emissions. We are taking steps to enhance productivity and efficiency, as well as exploring alternative sources of energy and developing innovative pathways to reduce emissions.

Our ambition is to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Our 2030 targets are to reduce our emissions intensity by 30% and our absolute emissions by 15% (or approximately 4.8mt CO2e).

3. Partnering to reduce the carbon footprint across our value chain
Climate change will only be solved through collective action by governments, business and consumers around the globe. We are working on innovative partnerships to stimulate action with customers and other partners across the value chain. We are also participating in industry forums and advocating policy positions to promote climate action in a responsible and sustainable way.

4. Enhancing our resilience to physical climate risks
We consider climate risks over the life of our operations, from the development of new projects through to closure and beyond. We have already experienced extreme weather events at many of our sites and are using scenarios to assess further medium- to long-term risks.

We offer our graduates real work, in real environments and set you up with the necessary skills and knowledge for a long-lasting career with us.

We also offer a competitive salary package and array of benefits; alongside family-friendly rosters and city-based locations.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success.

We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

We also aim for a diverse workplace – not just because it is good for our business, but because it is the right thing to do. We are not where we want to be on gender diversity, so we have established clear targets to improve the number of women in our organisation, at all levels.

We have gender-neutral parental leave in all countries in which we operate and our policy on inclusion and diversity reinforces our expectations around behaviours and personal accountability. We set ambitious goals to increase our diversity year on year.

We are also a Founding Member of the Australian Male Champions of Change, a group established to elevate gender equality.