WA premier Mark McGowan said the mandate would apply to any worker in the resource sector, including visitors to worksites.

"Any FIFO [fly-in, fly-out] and other workers who work in mining, exploration, oil and gas and resources sites, or work in remote operations, or run critical infrastructure including remote train and port control, will be subject to new directions mandating vaccination," he said.

"That means to work they will be required to have received their first COVID-19 vaccine by December 1."

WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy CEO Paul Everingham said the mining and energy sectors of WA supported the premier's decision to make it mandatory for resources workers to have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

He said the decision would impact about 140,000-150,000 people directly, however, if contractors and support services were included it could be as high as 250,000 people.

Everingham said while he had heard from the unions who thought there could be unintended consequences, CME members mostly supported the decision.

"We can't just expect the government to keep us open, with the border set to come down in early 2022 Delta will come to WA and there'll be a surge in COVID cases," he said.

"We expect the government to keep lockdowns as an option and we hope that this will enable us to keep as effective and operational as possible."

Everingham said everyone in the sector should be treated equally so the workforce in office towers should be vaccinated as well.

"Australia is a democratic country and people do have a right not to get vaccinated," he said.

"But with freedom comes personal responsibility and you don't have the right to pass your illness on to other people."

Association of Mining and Exploration Companies CEO Warren Pearce also backed McGowan's call.

"We share the premier's desire to ensure that in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in WA, that the mining industry is able to continue operating to support the state's economy," he said.

"The reality of Western Australia avoiding further COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns this year appears slim, and we need to be preparing ourselves and our communities for these circumstances."

Pearce said the announcement was a significant shift in expectation and requirement by government and AMEC member companies would abide by the requirements.

"Now that this decision has been taken by government, should there be further outbreaks, exploration, mining and mining service companies with a fully vaccinated FIFO/DIDO [drive-in, drive-out] workforce should be allowed to continue to operate, ensuring that our workforce can continue to work," he said.

"Finally, it is important to recognise that some people in our industry may still be unsure about a vaccination, however, with the requirement not commencing until December, these workers will have time to consult a medical professional, get the correct information, and make an informed choice."