Hey mate, i too am in mining, i am a boilermaker/rigger and somehow ended up FIFO to Egypt 6/3 (weeks). Getting FIFO is not easy, often you have to know someone or just get lucky. Working for a contractor is definately the way to go. As a plumber there would be opportunities working for the mobs that run the camps. Compass group, which own ESS run alot of mining camps or you can try the construction companies.
http://www.gorgonjobs.kjv.com.au/ is a good one to start.
I have noticed that most of the jobs advertised are for sparkies and diesel fitters. I have had no luck applying for jobs from seek, it got me no where. Applying online with the big mobs got me no where as well, i have wasted alot of time on the job application things for rio, mmg, bhp. The recruitment and labor hire places are the go. You can get FIFO in WA on 8-6 rosters. Olymic Dam in SA might be a good one to aim for as its one of the closest to you.
I am in hardrock mining, never done coal but have done lots of construction. If you are not afraid of hard work then you can try the reline mobs, they contract in for shutdowns and they change all the wear liners inside ball and sag mills, its a shit job but can take you to all parts of the world. Problem is it won't be consistent work. TME and Pacific Relines (Ativo) are two i can think of that do this. Any contracting company is worth a go. I did shutdowns for ages before getting something more permanent. Clemments is another one i can think of that recruit for big projects.
Another thing that may be useful is the "Shutdown Monitor" online newsletter. It costs i think $88 a year and has info on mining and constrcution projects around australia. Could be useful to find out who has contracts for what.
The thing with mining is that you work the hours. I have had alot of jobs that the hourly rate is pretty crap but when you do 7x12hr shifts it seems better.
All in all though i bloody hate the mining industry in australia. There are alot of wankers, alot of people who are there because their daddy is the big cheese and alot of people who will stab you in the back at first opportunity. Maybe i just had bad times with BHP and a few other companies. Expat is ok cause it cuts out alot of the over the top safety bullcrap and we just get on with it, but i know when i come home i will not be going mining. Construction all the way.
Good luck with it all anyway, it is nice to have the beans to blow on cars. This job paid to get my XB hardtop painted. After 9 years of no progress it is finally painted and getting pieced back together. Now if only i had the time.
The money i am earning can't buy my youth back.
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