Vacation Student Program - Engineering 2026/27

Southern Cross Fertilisers; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Camp accommodation provided during the

FIFO roster

Nine-week fixed-term contract

Job summary

Southern Cross Fertilisers in Northwest Queensland is offering a 2026/27 Vacation Student Program for motivated engineering students. This paid nine-week fixed-term placement lets you apply classroom knowledge in a real operating environment while working alongside experienced professionals.

You’ll gain hands-on exposure to Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic, Mining or Chemical engineering, with FIFO travel, 12-hour shifts and camp accommodation provided, helping you build skills and a pathway

Qualifications

• Currently studying Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic, Mining or Chemical engineering and have finished the second year of study.
• Aim to apply theory in a real operating environment with experienced professionals.
• Interested in a structured industry exposure and hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply engineering knowledge in a real-world operating environment.
• Contribute to meaningful projects during the nine-week program.
• Learn from experienced professionals and develop technical and professional skills.

Education

Mechanical engineering

Electrical engineering

Mechatronic engineering

Mining engineering

Chemical engineering

Job description

Launch Your Career with Southern Cross Fertilisers

2026/27 Vacation Student Program

Build your skills. Apply your knowledge. Shape your future.

Take the first step in your engineering career with Southern Cross Fertilisers’ 2026/27 Vacation Student Program — a paid opportunity to turn university learning into practical industry experience.

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.

______________________

Our nine-week program is designed for motivated engineering students who are ready to learn, contribute, and gain valuable exposure to the natural resources sector. Working alongside experienced professionals, you’ll apply your technical knowledge in a real-world operating environment, contribute to meaningful projects and develop the skills that will support your future career.

At Southern Cross Fertilisers, we recognise that developing future industry capability starts with investing in emerging talent. Our Vacation Student Program is an important part of our talent pipeline, providing students with structured industry exposure, hands‑on experience and the opportunity to develop the technical and professional skills needed to build a successful career. The program also creates a pathway for future employment opportunities within our organisation, supporting the development of our workforce for the years ahead.

• Program duration: Nine-week fixed-term contract, from 14 December 2026 to 12 February 2027
• Work arrangement: Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO)
• Roster: Four days on, three days off | Monday – Thursday roster
• Shift pattern: 12‑hour shifts
• Accommodation: Camp accommodation provided during your swing

Start Building Your Future

If you’re studying a relevant engineering discipline and are eager to put your knowledge into practice, we want to hear from you. We are specifically interested in those currently studying Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic, Mining or Chemical engineering and who have finished their second year of engineering studies.

Join Southern Cross Fertilisers and take the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, contribute to real‑world outcomes and build the foundations for a rewarding career in the natural resources sector.

______________________

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.

Your future in industry starts here.