Demand for natural resources bankers in Australia will stay strong this year because of continued mergers and acquisitions in the sector.

M&A activity driven by powerhouses BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto will translate into vacancies, according to a recruiter, who asked not to be named.

“The usual suspects such as UBS, Merrill Lynch, Goldmans, and probably JPMorgan and Credit Suisse will be in the market for talent, while most of the small local brokers are also looking in this area without success,” he adds.

John Coles, chief executive, Executive Group International, says investment banks will pursue candidates across all seniority levels. “Bankers with natural resources experience should expect the telephone to ring off the hook.”

Guaranteed and sign-on bonuses will be a popular inducement to wavering candidates, adds Coles.

Banks may occasional hire directly from industry, but the majority of staff will require banking experience, says Victoria Biggs, co-founding partner of Platinum Pacific Partners.

“If someone has a mining/engineering background, then it’s attractive, however, most banks won’t hire an experienced mining engineer looking for a career change,” she adds.

The pathway into an M&A role, even for experienced mining engineers, generally involves applying for a graduate role, according to Biggs.