Mining Skills Australia

What Mining Skills Australia does

Mining Skills Australia (MSA) is a Brisbane-based, privately held Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 45868) that delivers competency-based and proficiency-based training programs to the mining industry. Founded and led by Managing Directors Graeme Bradshaw and Andy Holder, the company operates through four core service lines: the Academy of Training (the RTO-accredited eLearning and blended-learning backbone), Motion Curve (an in-house animation and extended-reality studio producing 2D/3D animations, VR, MR, AR, and 360-degree content), Emergency Management Services (operational response personnel, vehicles, and medical oversight), and Drill & Blast and Underground Services consultancies. Its product portfolio exceeds 138 accredited and non-accredited courses, covering G1–G9 Mining Supervisor units, Standard 11 inductions, Certificate II/III in Surface Extraction Operations, Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue, and equipment-specific RPL programs.

The company's technology stack centers on a Learning Management System delivering blended eLearning combined with XR-driven immersive content and the proprietary MSA Training Observation App for real-time data capture and analysis. Training is delivered via on-site deployment at remote mine sites (with FIFO/DIDO arrangements across Queensland, NSW, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory), through eLearning for distributed workforces, and through classroom sessions at MSA's Brisbane headquarters. Pricing for individual online courses ranges from $300 to $900 per participant, with group and enterprise arrangements quoted on inquiry; revenue streams are predominantly professional services with some one-time course licensing.

MSA's go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting mining operators, supervisors, and managers, supported by LinkedIn, industry events (BrisBIM, PERUMIN), and government trade partnerships (Austrade, Trade and Investment Queensland, ALABC). Its customer base includes tier-1 mining majors and contractors (BHP Iron Ore, BMA Coal, Glencore, Rio Tinto, Alcoa, Anglo American, Whitehaven Coal, Thiess, Macmahon, Barminco, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Liebherr) plus state-owned clients internationally (Erdenes-TavanTolgoi JSC and Erdenet Mining Corporation in Mongolia). The company has expanded internationally via a wholly-owned Mongolian subsidiary (MSA Mining Skills LLC, established 2022), Latin American market entry at PERUMIN 2022 in Peru, and engagement in Kazakhstan.

Name

Mining Skills Australia

Legal name

Mining Skills Australia Pty Ltd

Website

https://miningskills.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Mining Skills Australia is a Brisbane-based Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivering competency-based training, XR/VR-enabled eLearning, animation content, and emergency management services to mining operators, supervisors, and tier-1 mining companies across Australia and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mining Training Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Support Activities for Mining (213)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Mining & Metals (EDABALAT)

Keywords

• Mining training services
• Mining eLearning programs
• Extended reality training
• Emergency response services
• Drill and blast training

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Training & Proficiency Services: On-site and remote training programs for mining operators, supervisors and managers including competency-based and proficiency-based programs
2. Accredited Course Delivery: RTO-delivered accredited training including certificates, diplomas, short courses, and refresher courses for mining industry qualifications
3. Online Course Fees: Individual course enrollment fees for accredited and non-accredited training programs
4. Animation & XR Content Development: Custom 2D and 3D animations, VR, AR, MR experiences and gamification content for mining and other industries
5. Emergency Management Services: Operational personnel, emergency response vehicles and equipment, medical oversight, and emergency response training

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mining Skills Australia delivers competency- and proficiency-based training programs, emergency management services, drill-and-blast consultancy, and underground mining training to enterprise mining operators and supervisors. The firm operates an RTO-accredited Academy of Training for accredited course delivery, an in-house Motion Curve animation/XR content studio producing VR/AR/MR training resources, and provides on-site and remote eLearning delivery through its Learning Management System.

Product overview

Mining Skills Australia is a multi-disciplinary training organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the mining industry. The core offering consists of: Academy of Training (RTO compliance backbone and eLearning delivery), Motion Curve (in-house animation and immersive media division providing 2D/3D animations, VR, MR, AR, and 360-degree filming), Emergency Management Services, Drill & Blast Services, and Underground Services. Supporting these divisions are over 138 courses and qualifications including Mining Supervisor programs (G1-G9), Standard 11 inductions, equipment-specific RPL courses, and emergency response training. The company delivers training through flexible learning solutions including eLearning for remote locations, on-site training, and blended learning approaches, utilizing animations, VR, MR, AR and gamification to create immersive training experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Motion Curve: The in-house animation and immersive media department of Mining Skills Australia, dedicated to creating high-impact digital resources including 2D and 3D animations, Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), Augmented Reality (AR), and 360-degree filming for training across all industries.
• Academy of Training
• Drill & Blast

Products and services

• Academy of Training Brisbane-based supplier of proficiency and competency education and training programs, providing blended eLearning resources for the mining and resource industry globally. Provides the RTO (Registered Training Organisation Code 45868) compliance backbone for all accredited training delivery.
• Motion Curve (Animation & XR Content Studio)

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-10% productivity improvement achievable in short to medium term (3-6 months) with improved efficiencies over longer term (6-12 months)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2022MSA is an active member of ALABC, participating in Brisbane Annual Dinners and hosting Latin American Ambassadors. The council has organized visits to MSA and facilitated introductions to expand MSA's presence in Latin America through trade missions and events.
• Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 October 2022Austrade has supported MSA at international events including PERUMIN 2022 in Peru, providing introductions to business development directors and project coordinators to facilitate MSA's expansion into Latin American markets.
• MSA Mining Skills LLC (Mongolia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2022MSA's wholly-owned subsidiary in Mongolia facilitating local operations, training delivery, and client engagement in the region including visits to Erdenet Mining Corporation and other Mongolian mining operations.
• Trade and Investment QueenslandcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Trade and Investment Queensland supported MSA as part of their Perumin 2022 contingent and recognized MSA as a finalist for the Premier's Export Awards, providing ongoing support for global market expansion.
• Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Over 6-year partnership providing training for large excavators and electric-drive trucks. MSA is part of Hitachi's customer-focused plan for new machine projects, delivering training that fulfills customer needs and supports brand reputation.
• International Society of Explosive EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSA's Drill and Blast unit participates as a member of this key industry body for explosive engineering professionals.
• Australian National Competence Training FrameworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSA's Drill and Blast unit participates in this key industry body for training framework development and competency standards.
• Erdenet Mining Corporation (Mongolia)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMSA has presented animation and VR resources to Erdenet Mining Corporation and conducted observations at their Open Cut operations in Mongolia.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Caterpillar (Cat Mining): Largest global mining OEM with extensive operator training, Cat® University programs, and simulator partnerships across surface and underground equipment. Competes with MSA on training scope and OEM-bundled delivery, though at vastly broader scale.
• Liebherr: Global mining and construction equipment OEM with its own operator training centers and competency programs; also an existing MSA enterprise customer. Comparable as both an OEM competitor for equipment training and a buyer of MSA's training services.
• Komatsu: Major mining OEM with Komatsu Mining Technology Solutions including operator training, autonomous haulage enablement and simulation. Overlaps with MSA's mining training customer set and OEM-bundled training economics.

Direct peers

• Site Skills Training: Australian RTO delivering competency-based training and qualifications to mining, construction and infrastructure operators, with on-site delivery across QLD/NSY/WA. Closest like-for-like direct peer for MSA's accredited training model and customer base.
• Edumine: Long-running online mining training provider offering continuing-education and competency short courses for mining professionals. Directly comparable to MSA's Academy of Training eLearning catalog in target audience and self-serve learning model.
• ThoroughTec Simulation: South African-headquartered provider of high-fidelity mining and construction equipment simulators with operator training programs. Directly comparable to MSA's blend of XR-based equipment training and competency assessment for surface and underground mining.
• Immersive Technologies: Global leader in mining equipment simulation training using advanced VR/3D simulators, serving major mining OEMs (Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Liebherr). Highly comparable to MSA's Motion Curve XR offering and overlapping enterprise customer roster.

Emerging players

• VET Resources: Australian VET training provider offering accredited courses including mining and high-risk work qualifications. Comparable as a smaller RTO competitor targeting similar accredited training outcomes for the Australian mining workforce.

Regional players

• Blue Collar People: Australian mining and resources workforce solutions provider with operator training and site labor supply across Australia. Regional peer addressing the same mining-operator customer base with a heavier staffing-services mix.

Others

• Resources Safety & Health Queensland (Simtars): Queensland government safety regulator with an in-house training, testing and research function (formerly Simtars) providing mining safety courses and competency assessments. Adjacent peer given overlapping RTO-aligned course offerings and shared QLD mining-customer pool.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61560715709483
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mining-skills-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/miningskillsaustralia_

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mining Skills Australia