Today, in the north, mustering based engineers are probably being paid at least three times that of the guy or gal in the helicopter
At least twice and they get to go home every night. I've heard of 130, to 140 K being offered with no takers. It's an ideal world for those wishing self employment.
Wages during apprenticeship though in the face of the mining industry truck driver, gopher even fitter's offsider are another story as it's impossible to pay much for someone who has to be supervised strongly.
Certainly a big issue.