Mentoring Program 2026
A renowned industry mentoring program that matches Australasian resources professionals for career guidance, knowledge sharing and professional growth.
About the Mentoring Program
Mentoring can support your professional and personal development. Through the AusIMM Mentoring Program, you'll be matched with an experienced mentor who can offer practical career advice, guidance, and support to help you grow, learn, and thrive. As a mentee, you’ll gain invaluable insights through meaningful conversations, honest feedback, and personalised guidance. You can accelerate your development and take charge of your career path.
Gain valuable insights from a mentor, build confidence, and shape your future in the mining industry.
Register your interest for AusIMM's 2026 Mentoring Program
Applications open December 2025
Want to Join the Program?
Mentor
Do you think you can make a difference to someone else’s career? The most impactful mentors are often those who are curious, eager to learn not just about their mentee, but also about themselves. Mentoring offers growth, connection, and purpose.
What makes a great mentor?
Leadership skills: Mentoring strengthens your ability to lead, communicate, and inspire. It’s a chance to refine your skills while helping someone else grow.
Career reflection: Sharing your journey helps you reflect on your own career path. It also keeps you in touch with emerging trends and evolving workplace cultures.
Giving back: An opportunity to give back to the resources industry by supporting the next generation of mining professionals by passing on your knowledge and experience. It’s a meaningful way to contribute to the future of the resources industry.
Sharing: Provide support and encouragement to a mentee sharing fresh perspectives and new ideas. Be a sounding board to listen and advise your mentee.
Mentee
Connecting with a mentor is a powerful step toward expanding your skills and gaining valuable industry insight. Learning from someone with experience can accelerate your growth and help you turn hard work into meaningful progress. To benefit from mentoring, it helps to bring the right mindset and approach.
What does a great mentee look like?
Self-awareness: An effective mentee reflects on their strengths and areas for improvement, embracing new perspectives with curiosity. Being exposed to different ways of thinking allows them to act on advice and evolve both professionally and personally.
Motivation and focus: Mentees are motivated to be purposeful about what they want to achieve and clear that they want to make the most of this opportunity. Mentees should be ‘present’ in the relationship and that they keep up the drive, the organisation and focus.
Respect: Successful mentees respect their mentor’s expertise. This means listening, willing to take advice, and implementing changes when necessary. Mentees are professional and know that their mentor’s time is voluntary.
Openness: A successful mentee approaches their mentor relationship with a willingness to learn with an open mind. They are receptive to feedback and new ideas and come ready to grow, taking full advantage of what their mentor has to offer.
Hear from our past participants
AusIMM Mentoring Program: Mentee's Journey
Empowering future leaders through AusIMM's Mentoring Program
AusIMM Mentoring Program: Mentee's Journey
Unlocking professional growth with AusIMM's Mentoring Program: A mentees journey
AusIMM Mentoring Program: Mentor's Journey
From clarity to success: Greg Marshall’s journey as a mentor
AusIMM Mentoring Program: Mentor's Journey
Mentoring insights: John Landmark’s experience and the value of giving back
Mentoring Program pricing
Participation criteria
Graduate Mentee
Designed to support Graduates as they transition into the mining industry or who want to kick-start their career.
Criteria:
- Currently working full time in the resources industry as a Graduate
- Have 3 years or less experience
- Mentees must formally reside in Australasia (Australia, NZ, PNG)
- Pay the mentee fee (see mentee pricing)
- Must attend program webinars and complete the training provided.
Pathfinder Mentee
Designed to support resources professionals who have a strong interest in developing their career.
Criteria:
- Currently working in the mining industry and has been for the past 3 years
- Mentees must formally reside in Australasia (Australia, NZ, PNG)
- Pay the mentee fee (see mentee pricing)
- Must attend program webinars and complete the training provided.
Mentors
For people with a desire to support career growth and to help mentees reach their professional goals.
Criteria:
- Currently working in the resources industry or recently retired
- Have worked more than 10 years in the resources sector
- Mentors must formally reside in Australasia (Australia, NZ, PNG)
- Must attend program webinars and complete the training provided.
Key information and FAQs
Can my employer sponsor my mentee position in the program?
Yes! Mentees can access our email template that will support your request to ask your employer to fund your position in the 2026 Mentoring Program. Download our template now. It's easy to use — just copy, fill in the blanks and email to your manager.
What does it cost to participate?
Mentee pricing:
- Member: $1,000 (exc GST)
- Member Bundle*: $1,256 (exc GST)
- Non-member: $1,500 (exc GST)
*Includes mentee fee and AusIMM Associate membership for 12 months.
Mentee pricing:
- No charge. Mentor participation in the program is a voluntary commitment.
When does the 2026 program run?
- December 2025: Mentor and mentee registrations open
- March 2026: Mentor and mentee registrations close
- March 2026: Program launches (live training webinar)
- December 2026: Program concludes
What’s involved in the 9-month program?
A full understanding of the 9-month program, what it offers, and the time commitment required, is helpful to ensure participants are prepared to completely engage and benefit from mentoring.
During the program, Mentor and Mentees will receive regular communication and resources, including pre-program online training and frequent tips and advice.
Activity Time required
Mentees and Mentors are required to attend three online webinars:
3 hours in total. Includes:
- Program Launch (Mar)
- Progress Review (Jul)
- Program Close (Dec)
Preparation and time spent in mentoring conversations and follow up communication
3-4 hours per month (Mentee)*
1-2 hours per month (Mentor)
Training, reading and workshops
4 hours in total
Program surveys
30 minutes
*The benefits that a Mentee will gain from the program are directly related to the effort put in; this time estimate is the minimum you should expect to invest in reflecting, learning, preparing and completing any identified/agreed actions.
How do I connect with my mentor/mentee?
The program is delivered online, connecting resources professionals from across Australasia via a bespoke digital platform. Mentors and mentees are carefully matched, based on their experience and goals.
Program participants will be required to attend program live webinars and complete the training provided.
Thank you to all our 2025 Partners
Partnership mentoring opportunities
Through a mentoring partnership, position your company as a champion of professional development and industry excellence and align your organisation with AusIMM as the trusted voice of the mining industry. Your commitment will enhance substantial professional opportunities and demonstrate a respect and responsibility for the future of the resources sector.
Partner with us and access fantastic opportunities to support both mentors and the mentees in their careers.