Laboratory Technician

Southern Cross Fertilisers; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Camp accommodation provided during the

FIFO from Townsville

Job summary

Southern Cross Fertilisers is hiring a Laboratory Technician to deliver accurate laboratory analysis supporting Phosphate Hill Operations. You will work FIFO from Townsville with 12-hour day/night shifts, and camp accommodation is provided during swings.

The role focuses on routine testing, instrument operation, and data recording while upholding safety and quality standards to ensure efficient plant operations.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Laboratory Skills or equivalent qualification, or 2 years' lab experience.
• Knowledge of general laboratory practices and analytical testing methods.
• Experience with ICP-OES, UV-Vis, LECO, GC or wet chemistry is highly regarded.
• Strong computer literacy, including MS Office and LIMS.
• Attention to detail and ability to deliver reliable results.
• Good communication and time management, with ability to meet deadlines.
• Proactive approach to safety and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine laboratory testing and sample preparation according to established methods and quality standards.
• Operate laboratory instruments and equipment to deliver accurate results.
• Maintain records of testing activities using LIMS and lab logs.
• Monitor processes and equipment performance; identify issues and take corrective action.
• Collaborate with laboratory and operations teams to meet sampling requirements and turnaround times.
• Support laboratory QA processes and compliance with procedures.
• Maintain a safe working environment by following chemical handling procedures.

Skills

Attention to detail

Record keeping

Communication

Time management

Safety conscious

LIMS experience

Education

Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

Two years of laboratory operations experience

Tools

ICP-OES

UV-Vis Spectrometry

LECO analysis

Gas Chromatography

Wet chemistry procedures

Job description

22 October 2026

Laboratory Technician

Join Southern Cross Fertilisers at an exciting time in our business journey. We are seeking a motivated and safety-focused Laboratory Technician to join our team at Phosphate Hill Operations, providing accurate and reliable laboratory analysis that supports safe, efficient and effective plant operations.

About Us

Southern Cross Fertilisers operates Phosphate Hill and the Mount Isa Acid Plant — two interconnected operations in Northwest Queensland that rely on each other and play an important role in supporting our local communities and the wider region. The fertiliser we produce supports Australian farmers and contributes to food production here and around the world.

We are proudly Australian, resilient, diverse and deeply invested in our people, our operations and the region.

The way we work matters. Safety is fundamental to everything we do and guides every shift, with production never taking precedence over the wellbeing of our people. We operate with a strong focus on planning, consistency and accountability, setting clear standards, delivering on our commitments and learning from challenges. When things go wrong, we look beyond individual actions to understand the systems and processes involved, creating opportunities for continuous improvement. We encourage open reporting and honest conversations, fostering a culture focused on learning, improvement and shared responsibility rather than blame.

Southern Cross Fertilisers has built a strong reputation through the commitment and capability of our people. We provide meaningful work, encourage ownership and accountability, and empower our people to contribute to the performance of our operations and the ongoing success of our business.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will be responsible for delivering accurate, timely and reliable laboratory analysis to support production activities and operational decision-making across Phosphate Hill Operations.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Performing routine laboratory testing, sample preparation and analytical procedures in accordance with established methods and quality standards.
• Operating laboratory instruments and equipment to deliver accurate and reliable analytical results.
• Maintaining accurate records of testing activities, results and equipment performance using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and laboratory logbooks.
• Monitoring laboratory processes and equipment performance, identifying issues and taking appropriate corrective action.
• Working collaboratively with laboratory colleagues and operational teams to meet sampling requirements and agreed turnaround times.
• Supporting laboratory quality assurance processes through compliance with established procedures, testing methods and operational standards.
• Maintaining a safe working environment by following chemical handling procedures, identifying hazards and actively contributing to site safety initiatives

Key Details

• Job type: Fulltime Permanent
• Work arrangement: Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) from Townsville, QLD
• Roster: Eight days on, six days off | Wednesday – Wednesday swing
• Shift pattern: 12-hour shifts, alternating day and night shift swings
• Accommodation: Camp accommodation provided during your swing

About You

We are looking for a motivated and commercially minded professional who brings strong analytical capabilities, sound financial knowledge and a collaborative approach to their work.

To be successful in this role, you will ideally bring:

• A Certificate III in Laboratory Skills or an equivalent qualification, or a minimum of two years' experience in laboratory operations.
• Knowledge of general laboratory practices, sample preparation and analytical testing methods.
• Experience using laboratory instruments and analytical techniques, with exposure to ICP-OES, UV-Vis Spectrometry, LECO analysis, Gas Chromatography or wet chemistry procedures highly regarded.
• Sound computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications and experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records and deliver reliable results.
• Good communication, organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet operational deadlines.
• A proactive approach to workplace safety, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• A Manual C Class Driver Licence will be highly regarded.

Everyone Gets a Fair Go

At Southern Cross Fertilisers, we value diversity and recognise that people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives strengthen our operations and workplace culture. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and fair working environment where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

If you share these values and are looking for an opportunity to contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply.

About Our Process

Our recruitment process is designed to help us understand your experience, capabilities and suitability for the role. It typically includes an interview, conducted via Microsoft Teams or face to face, reference checks and a pre-employment medical assessment. Depending on the role, the process may also include a site visit.

Southern Cross Fertilisers — Australian-made phosphate fertilisers