Trades Assistant

Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd in Mackay, QLD is seeking a skilled Trades Assistant to support workshop tradespeople in servicing, maintenance and repair of Caterpillar equipment. This is a permanent, Monday to Friday role offering a clear path for long-term development.

You will assist with mechanical repairs, use hand and power tools, and help manage parts and tools safely. A strong mechanical mindset, reliability and a team-focused attitude are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical, workshop or trades assistant role is desirable.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Licences for warehouse equipment (forklift/overhead crane) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist trade-qualified personnel with servicing and repairs of mobile plant and equipment.
• Operate hand and power tools safely and support loading/unloading of equipment.
• Perform general workshop duties, parts handling and tooling preparation.
• Help manage parts, tools and inventory, ensuring accurate logging for technicians.
• Follow workplace health and safety procedures at all times.
• Support daily operational activities and team goals.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Strong communicator

Team player

Organised

Tools

Forklift operation

Overhead crane (licensed)

Hand and power tools

Job description

Company: Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd Kickstart your career or take the next step with Hastings Deering – where our people build something BIGGER. We’re seeking a skilled and experienced Trades Assistant with strong mechanical knowledge to join our team in Mackay QLD. In this role, you’ll support our workshop tradespeople in the servicing, maintenance and repair of Caterpillar equipment, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard. This is a permanent, Monday-to-Friday position, and a great opportunity for someone looking to build a long-term career.

What you’ll be doing

• Mechanical Support – Assist trade-qualified personnel with servicing and mechanical repairs and rebuilds of mobile plant and equipment.
• Equipment Handling – Operate both hand and power tools safely and supporting the loading/unloading of equipment and safely use material-handling machinery (e.g. forklifts, overhead cranes if licensed).
• Workshop Care – Perform general workshop duties, including cleaning, parts handling and tooling preparation.
• Parts & Tools Management – Help manage parts, tools, and inventory, ensuring everything is correctly logged and readily available for technicians.
• Safety First – Follow all workplace health and safety procedures to maintain a safe working environment at all times.
• Daily Operational Support – assist with day-to-day operational activities and support overall team goals.

Who are we and why work with us?

Hastings Deering is proud to be one of the top 5 Caterpillar dealerships globally. We sell, rent, and offer support and parts distribution services for Cat products across a range of industries, including resources, general construction, civil transport and commercial construction, power systems, government, primary industries and marine. We have more than 3,500 employees across 23 business service centres throughout Queensland, Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, with our headquarters based in Brisbane, Australia.

When you join our team at Hastings Deering, you’ll benefit from:

• Big Pay, Bigger Growth - Competitive hourly rates with competency-based pay rises PLUS regular scheduled increases under our current Enterprise Agreement.
• Body, Mind & Wallet Support - Free health checks, Employee Assistance Program, income protection insurance, and discounts at major retailers.
• Get more time back in your life - Our work schedules are made to fit your life, giving you the flexibility to take care of what matters most outside of work.
• Security you can count on - Enjoy the stability of a long-term career with Hastings Deering, backed by global strength.
• Cutting Edge Tech - Get hands-on experience with the latest CAT technology as we shape the future of mining and heavy equipment solutions.
• Family Comes First - Paid parental leave with 16 weeks for primary carers and 2 weeks for secondary carers.

What you’ll need

• Experience that counts – previous experience in mechanical, workshop or trades assistant role (highly regarded but not essential)
• Eager to learn – Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn is valued.
• Strong communicator – excellent communication skills with a genuine team focus.
• Licenses a plus – operation of warehouse equipment where required (forklifts and overhead crane if licenced is preferred).
• Organised and efficient – strong organisational skills, reliability and a proactive attitude.
• Team player – ability to work well within a team and follow direction from senior technicians.
• Safety minded – committed to maintaining high workplace health and safety standards and quality workmanship at all times.

Hastings Deering follows a Pre-Employment Process for all successful applicants, which includes two employment references, a National Police Check and a medical assessment. These checks are essential to your application, and your Talent Acquisition Partner will support you through the process.

Enquiries: 1300 071 618

Contact: Taylor Collett – Talent Acquisition Partner