A MINING company has put the call out for single and good looking females aged under 25 to apply for their receptionist position.

Not surprisingly, it's attracted zero applications.

The job advertisement posted on Australia InfoMine has shocked Aussies looking for work on the mining industry website.

Melbourne job seeker Bronte Maguire, 21, said she was browsing administrative positions on the site when she came across the ad.

"I actually couldn't believe it when I saw it," she said.

"I closed it as soon as I saw (the requirements) because I want to be hired for my skills, not my looks.

"It's quite common to see 'well presented' as a requirement but good looking was offensive.

"The only justification I have for them is that the job is in Indonesia, so whoever wrote that may not have had the best English skills and might not know that you can't say that."

Korean coal company Pt. Karya Bumi Baratama posted the controversial ad, for the position at its Jakarta head office, online last week.

InfoMine staff then sourced the job advertisement from another website and posted it on its own.

The advertisement states responsibilities include directing incoming calls, responding to inquiries, opening mail and providing clerical support - but the company seeks more than just a pretty face.

Applicants should also know how to use a computer and be able to multi-task.

Desirable attributes include being energetic, highly motivated and customer-service oriented.

When news.com.au alerted Australia InfoMine to the controversial advertisement it vowed to take it down.

General manager Johann Robertson said he was shocked it had been published on their site.

"I'm surprised this got past the screening process we have," he said.

"The fact that they're asking specifically for single (females) - I don't think that's something that you could ask for in any country.

"Different countries have different ways of looking at that (‘good looking' requirement). I don't have an issue when they say that - I mean I do ethically - but its not something I'm going to limit them being able to do business on because that's standard in some industries (overseas).

"But when they say someone must be single for secretary/receptionist type work, that seems a little below brow for me."

Mr Robertson said most South-East Asian companies sought applicants of a specific gender and age range.

"It's a part of their culture.

"From what my staff tell me about the South-East Asia job region, it really sounds like this receptionist ad in question is looking for the stereotypical demographic for the role that is unencumbered to work longer hours, rather than for any kind of inappropriate relationship.

"Sure does not translate well into Australian though."

Australia InfoMine's website says it provides focused, in-depth information on worldwide mining and mineral exploration activities considered to be of specific interest to Australians.

Mr Robertson said no one had applied for the position which was published on March 15.

"Typically we try to avoid this type of posting for ethical reasons but the issue is that different areas around the world, they really do cater towards this kind of thing," he said.

"It's a tough one.

"They're dealing with labour laws (overseas) that are a little bit different."

Email kristin.shorten@news.com.au or follow @itsKShort