Whitehaven Coal
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    Whitehaven Coal
    (86 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Whitehaven Coal

    2.886 ratings in total
    5
    25
    4
    9
    3
    5
    2
    17
    1
    30
    76%
    Rate salary as high or average
    43%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.0(86 ratings)
    Career development
    2.9(86 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    2.5(86 ratings)
    Management
    2.5(86 ratings)
    Working environment
    2.8(86 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.0(86 ratings)
    Ratings for Whitehaven Coal are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 86 reviews sorted by most recent
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    5.0
    Projects
    Dec 2025
    Sydney NSW 20001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Growing Company with huge potential
    The good thingsI’ve had a really positive experience working here. It’s a merit-based company where hard work and capability are genuinely recognised, which creates real opportunities for growth. It’s also great to be part of an Australian-grown mining company that continues to invest locally. Management and senior leadership are approachable and available, making it easy to raise ideas or concerns and feel heard. Overall, it’s a supportive environment with a strong focus on doing things the right way.
    The challengesExplore the idea of introducing extra roster options
    1.0
    Mine Scheduling Specialist
    Dec 2025
    Blackwater QLD 47171 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    The worst experience I ever had, with a lot of mental issues regarding what they have done to me
    The good thingsSalary is the only good thing about this site
    The challengesPoor management and poor culture
    1.0
    Contracts Officer
    Nov 2025
    Newcastle NSW 23002 to 3 years in the role, former employee
    Horrendous culture and no respect for workers. Toxic and becoming more toxic.
    The good thingsPeers within the workplace
    The challengesManagement appears disconnected from the workforce, demonstrating limited understanding of culture, empathy, the law, or genuine engagement with employees. People often feel treated as expendable resources, valued for output only rather than contribution or well being (almost non-existent), with little focus on retention or long-term development.
    1.0
    Corporate
    Oct 2025
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    No support given whatsoever and then crucified for not doing a job properly.
    The good thingsNot much. Nice office floor and some great work mates but that’s about it.
    The challengesManagement. There was no training and no support for the position and just told to do this and do that and unable to complete one task properly.
    1.0
    Dragline Operator
    Oct 2025
    Blackwater QLD 47171 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Seriously….just keep looking. Much better run coal mines to spend your life at.
    The good thingsThe pay when they actually get it right and some really good operators, but they are all leaving.
    The challengesThere’s a reason that you see Whitehaven Blackwater always advertising for dragline operators. They can’t retain there operators that have been at the site for 20 years. That tells you everything.
    1.0
    Operater
    Oct 2025
    Gunnedah NSW 23802 to 3 years in the role, former employee
    I wouldn't recommend this company to anybody
    The good thingsHome after every shift and weekly pay
    The challengesToxic environment, management play the blame game amd have little foresight or planning, the workforce is quick to throw anybody under the bus and most are lazy and entitled
    2.0
    Multi Combination Driver
    Jun 2025
    Gunnedah NSW 23802 to 3 years in the role, former employee
    Don’t recommend working there
    The good thingsWork colleagues and a lot of overtime to be done
    The challengesUpper Management didn’t know how to run a transport company and Superintendent didn’t apologise if he was wrong also got pushed to make targets
    1.0
    Senior Supervisor Field Maintenance
    May 2025
    Maules Creek NSW 2382Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Avoid this place like the plague, not sure what other Whitehaven sites are like but Maules Creek is the most toxic place I have ever worked.
    The good thingsThe crew guys were good, that’s where it ends
    The challengesWorst Maintenance management team I have ever worked with. Toxic environment, full of incompetent people. Couldn’t get out of the place quick enough. If you’re not local they don’t want you, but then complain that they can’t attract people. I don’t have anything positive to say about the Maint dept
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Planner
    May 2025
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    A workplace in the dark ages - avoid!
    The good thingsGoing home on Friday afternoon for the weekend
    The challengesNo diversity. Petty micro middle management with draconian office culture and no job security. Low level pay attracts unqualified people, if they can get them. A company I would rather forget and have omitted from my resume.
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Shipping Officer
    Apr 2025
    Newcastle NSW 23002 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    Work environment with a buzz
    The good thingsI have the pleasure of working in Whitehaven Newcastle office and the one thing that stands out to me is the is the workplace morale. The supportive and inclusive environment has helped me develop professionally, but personally as well
    The challengesThe biggest challenge I face in my current role is sitting still all day. One of the benefits of a social and inclusive team, is we get out of the office grab coffee or have lunch together.
    1.0
    Multi Combination Driver
    Mar 2025
    Gunnedah NSW 23801 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Very toxic workplace
    The good thingsWorking with other employees
    The challengesManagement don’t care about employees
    5 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Administration
    Mar 2025
    Newcastle NSW 23007 to 8 years in the role, current employee
    Overall, it’s a positive and rewarding experience with a strong, respectful office culture.
    The good thingsOur team fosters a collaborative culture, where we work cohesively in a professional yet engaging environment. All team members are willing to help each other when required.
    The challengesWould welcome the opportunity to have either a 9 day fortnight or be able to work from home for 2 days of the week.
    5.0
    Procurement Role
    Feb 2025
    Newcastle NSW 23009 to 10 years in the role, current employee
    Ive worked for other Coal Mining producers, Whitehaven Coal is by far the best to work for. Management do what they say they will do.
    The good thingsGreat Company. Excellent Senior Management team. Good team Culture.
    The challengesAlways have plenty to do. Wouldn't have it any other way.
    1 person found this helpful
    4.0
    Manager - Tax Advisory
    Feb 2025
    Brisbane QLD 40001 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    I really enjoy my job and industry, finding immense satisfaction in tackling complex challenges every day.
    The good thingsThe work is highly engaging within a fascinating industry. There are significant challenges to address and opportunities to create value. I also greatly appreciate the flexible work arrangements.
    The challengesThere are challenges in terms of technology and a newly adopted ERP, but these challenges provide great opportunities as well.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Administration Role
    Feb 2025
    Maules Creek NSW 23821 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Great company to work for!
    The good thingsMy favourite aspect of my current job is the variety of work. I love that every day presents me with different challenges. I work with a wonderful team. Goal-oriented leadership.
    The challengesThe travel to and from Site.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Supervisor
    Jan 2025
    Gunnedah NSW 2380
    A regretful mistake working for this company
    The good thingsThe workforce at the coal face
    The challengesToxic mine management, toxic senior business management, blatant purple circles and favouritism
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Work Management Planner
    Dec 2024
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    A toxic mess of incompetence, lies, and exploitation. Do not go near this company!
    The good thingsThere were none. Any positives they promise are pure deception.
    The challengesThis company is an absolute disaster. Senior leadership are a joke—completely incompetent, dishonest, and lacking even a shred of integrity. They sell you dreams of excellent working conditions, career growth, flexibility, and transparency, but it’s all an outright lie. The reality? A toxic, soul-crushing environment where you’re expected to sacrifice your life, work insane hours, and go above and beyond daily, all for nothing—no recognition, no reward, and no flexibility in return. To make things even worse, they heartlessly sacked the entire full-time planner team and replaced them with contractors, showing a complete lack of respect or loyalty to their employees. This company doesn’t care about its people, only about saving face and cutting costs. Problems are ignored, leadership is useless, and the culture is beyond repair. If you value your sanity, stay as far away as possible. This review reflects my experience at their Brisbane Head office, but I wouldn’t wish this place on anyone, anywhere.
    11 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Asset Management & Technology
    Dec 2024
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Dreadful leadership, zero integrity or transparency, absolute amateurs. Avoid!
    The good thingsBy the end, there really wasn’t any.
    The challengesAt first, the senior & executive leadership group promise you the world. They promoted superior working conditions, career growth and development, a “flat org structure so decisions are made promptly and change is without red tape”, flexible working arrangements, absolute transparency, improvements and issues be resolved promptly etc. This company, workplace and entire leadership group inclusive of its HR functions are anything but and operate with no integrity or accountability. Leaders will expect you to go above and beyond daily, both on additional worked hours and effort with no reward or flexibility in return. This entire review is based on the corporate office in Brisbane.
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    N/A
    Dec 2024
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    I would rather be homeless than work for this company.
    The good thingsDecent salary, some decvent people - not many.
    The challengesAbsolute joke of a company. Managers harrass, name call and invade employees personal lives/make nasty assumptions regarding personal life. People bad mouth others 24/7, expected to work overtime all the time - company does not stick to employee contracts re: WFH/in office hours.
    9 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Corporate Adviser
    Dec 2024
    Brisbane QLD 4000former employee
    Work for another company
    The good thingsPay is better than other places
    The challengesTerrible corporate management. Bottom line driven. No flexibility for family responsibilities.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Supervisor
    Nov 2024
    Blackwater QLD 4717Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Redundancies to pay for C Suite bonuses
    The good thingsBWM is a great mine to work at with some great people
    The challengesLow job security, cost cutting at every turn
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Engineering Superintendent
    Oct 2024
    Sydney NSW 2000Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    Not an environment you feel valued in. Disgraceful.
    The good thingsGreat on the ground team, always supporting each other.
    The challengesWhere to start……they say they are inclusive & diverse & want to encourage more gender diversity….They now have a new WFH Policy which STRONGLY opposes flexibility. This would impact more women as FTE’s by only allowing 1 day WFH with no Monday or Fridays allowed, although this was agreed upon in April with divestment. So now, the Primary Care giver has been directed to come into the office 4 days a week and this is irrelevant of personal circumstances, which unfortunately will impact women more. NAIDOC Week was a total farce, so disrespectful and tokenistic….just reading from a piece of paper. C grade business pretending to be A grade. 30% removal of headcount with no prior consultation. EGM hosts many ‘stand ups’ not even introducing himself, disrespecting Political Parties by informing the audience of the fight against The Greens. Who does that? Awful environment, so behind the times & it shows, definitely not an employer of choice.
    6 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Corporate Role
    Sep 2024
    Brisbane QLD 4000
    Felt like I was back at school with daily head counts & bums on seats more important than mining coal efficiently & in a cost effective manner. Employees have lost trust in the company.
    The good thingsHas the potential to be an ASX leading coal producer, with the right management team in place. Has a great board of Directors & the office is located in the Brisbane CBD. Great & highly skilled personnel on site running profitable autonomous/non-autonomous mines.
    The challengesPoor Leadership, Micro Management, Poor office culture, No strong leadership presence to promote a way forward for the companies future goals. The company needs a clear direction, and someone to deliver it to keep the employees safe. The company has great employees, that they no longer hold a market advantage in keeping.
    5 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Information Technology Support Role
    Sep 2024
    Brisbane QLD 4000Less than 1 year in the role
    You have to deal with a poor quality manager who does not support you.
    The good thingsTheir office is located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, however office environment is low grade.
    The challengesThere is a lack of knowledge manager, no induction provided, no education, low grade document management. It was hard to work with people who don't want to share project history.
    1 person found this helpful
    2.0
    Corporate role
    May 2024
    Newcastle NSW 2300
    A company that could catch up with the times and look to develop employees and provide a work life balance for all employees.
    The good thingsThere are some good people with great ideas however it is difficult to get traction on these ideas or implement any changes or improvements.
    The challengesThis is an outdated company that has struggled to keep up with technology, benefits and has a poor overall culture. Hopefully there will be some fresh input with the Queensland mine purchases.
    2 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Supervisor
    Jan 2024
    Narrabri NSW 23903 to 4 years in the role
    Very hard to get traction on some safety issues when crews would operate beyond the limits and with out the manning
    The good thingsWeekend roster.
    The challengesThere were more bad apples than good amongst the crews. Minimal statutory coverage deputies were stretched thin
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Financial Employee
    Aug 2023
    Tamworth & North West NSW
    Great a site, appalling treatment by some finance leadership. I am surprised that there has not been a me too case.
    The good thingsThere are a lot of good people to work with at sites and in the corporate offices
    The challengesDealing with corporate finance leadership made our lives hell
    3 people found this helpful
    5.0
    CHPP Superintendent
    Jun 2023
    Boggabri NSW 23825 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    Working for Whitehaven Coal has allowed me to follow career paths that I could not imagine.
    The good thingsGreat career opportunities that have afforded a great lifestyle in a rural community.
    The challengesDistanced from friends and family.
    4 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Mining Engineer
    May 2023
    Maules Creek NSW 2382
    Good place to work, good people and challenging for an engineer which is good.
    The good thingsGood people and always trying to improve team.
    The challengesGeology was difficult. Needed more tech Services members to review. Team was always busy.
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Group Manager, Workforce Resourcing
    Feb 2023
    current employee
    Whitehaven Coal are not only an outstanding company exceeding financial expectations, but supports its people through development, diversity & delivery
    The good thingsForward thinking organisation who allows their people to not only think outside the square, but take true ownership of their role
    The challengesWhere our operations are based - Gunnedah Basin & Narrabri - can sometimes be challenging ie north west regional NSW
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    All Brisbane QLDAll Sydney NSWGladstone & Central QLDNewcastle, Maitland & Hunter NSWTamworth & North West NSW