FIFO jobs can be a great way into well-paid work, and you don’t always need a mining background to get one. Sites need cooks and cleaners as much as they need machine operators and electricians. What they all have in common is the roster: long stretches on site, followed by a block of time at home.
This guide explains what FIFO means, the jobs you can get with no experience and the tickets you’ll need. It also gives an honest picture of rosters and site life, and covers how to work in the industry while living locally in a regional town.
Quick answer
FIFO means fly-in fly-out. You fly from a hub city to a remote worksite, work a set block of days, then fly home for your days off. You can start with no mining background, because sites need cooks, cleaners and support staff as much as operators and electricians.
- Rosters are written as days on and days off, such as 2:1, 8:6 or 7:7, and shifts on site are often 12 hours
- Common entry roles include camp cook, kitchen hand, housekeeper, utility worker and trade assistant
- The tickets you need depend on the role and the site, so check the job ad before you pay for training, and expect a pre-employment medical and a drug and alcohol test
- Standard 11 is only required for Queensland coal mine sites
- DIDO and residential roles let you work in the industry while living in a regional town
What does FIFO mean?
FIFO stands for fly-in fly-out. You fly from a hub city, such as Perth or Brisbane, to a remote worksite, work a set block of days, then fly home for your days off. Your employer usually covers the flights from the hub and provides accommodation and meals on site.
You’ll also see a few related terms in job ads:
- DIDO (drive-in drive-out): the same idea, but you drive to site, usually from a nearby regional town
- BIBO (bus-in bus-out): you take a company bus to site
- Residential: you live in a town near the site and commute each day, like a regular job
How FIFO rosters work
A FIFO roster is written as days on and days off. Shifts on site are often 12 hours long, and you may rotate between day and night shifts.
Rosters have a big effect on what you earn. Because most FIFO workers are paid by the hour, a roster with more days on and longer shifts usually means higher take-home pay. It also means more time away, so weigh up both sides when you compare jobs.
What FIFO life is really like
FIFO work can suit some people really well while other might struggle with the schedule. Here’s what to expect.
Living on site
Most workers stay in a camp, sometimes called a village. You’ll usually get your own room, with shared dining, laundry and recreation areas. Many camps have a gym, and meals are cooked for you. Sites have strict alcohol and drug policies, and testing is common.
Time away from home
The biggest adjustment is being away from family and friends for weeks at a time. You’ll miss some birthdays and events, and it can take a day or two to settle back into home life after each swing. Many people find that the long blocks of time off make up for it, especially on even-time rosters.
Looking after yourself
Long shifts, fatigue and time away can be hard on your wellbeing, so it helps to plan how you’ll stay connected with people at home. Most large employers offer support programs for workers and their families.
FIFO jobs you can get with no experience
Plenty of entry-level FIFO jobs don’t need mining or construction experience. Many need skills you may already have from hospitality, cleaning, retail or driving work.
Camp and hospitality roles
Every remote camp needs people to feed workers, clean rooms and keep facilities running. These roles are one of the most common ways into FIFO work.
- Camp cook or chef: preparing meals for large numbers of workers
- Kitchen hand: food preparation, dishwashing and keeping the kitchen clean
- Housekeeper or room attendant: cleaning workers’ rooms and shared areas
- Utility worker: a mix of cleaning, laundry, grounds work and basic maintenance around camp
If you’ve worked in a café, restaurant or hotel, see our hospitality jobs for FIFO opportunities.
Site support roles
- Trade assistant: helping qualified tradies with maintenance and repairs
- Driller’s offsider: assisting a drilling crew, often on exploration sites
- Storeperson: managing parts, tools and supplies. A forklift licence helps here
- Light vehicle driver or bus driver: moving people and supplies around site
- Site administrator: handling paperwork, rosters and reporting
Machine operator trainee roles
Some companies train new starters to operate haul trucks and other equipment. These roles are competitive, and having a heavy vehicle licence or experience as a truck driver gives you a better chance.
FIFO jobs for tradies and machine operators
If you already have a trade, FIFO can be a big step up in hours and earnings. Mine sites, processing plants and major projects regularly hire:
- Electricians, including those with high voltage experience
- Mechanical fitters and diesel mechanics
- Boilermakers and welders
- Plant operators, such as excavator, loader and dozer operators
- Riggers, scaffolders and crane operators
You can browse trades and services jobs for current roles, and visit WorkinConstruction for all construction-related jobs and skills pathways.
Tickets and checks you’ll need
FIFO is a way of working, not a qualification, so the tickets you need depend on the role and the site. Always check the job ad before you pay for any training.
Western Australia doesn’t have a single state-wide induction like Queensland’s Standard 11, so WA employers rely on their own site inductions and the tickets listed in each job ad.
Be wary of anyone who promises you a FIFO job in exchange for paying for a course or a placement service. Legitimate tickets give you skills, but no training provider can guarantee you a job.
Where to find FIFO work
Western Australia
WA has more FIFO work than any other state. Most of it is in the Pilbara’s iron ore mines and the Goldfields’ gold mines, and many workers fly in from Perth. Browse mining, resources and energy jobs in Perth.
Queensland
Queensland’s FIFO and DIDO work is centred on the coal mines of the Bowen Basin, with workers flying from Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns or driving from nearby towns. Browse mining, resources and energy jobs in Brisbane.
Northern Territory
The NT’s resources and energy sector is a major employer, with mining and gas projects that hire both FIFO workers and locals. WorkinNT, our community controlled platform for the Territory, lists roles across Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs and the regions.
South Australia and New South Wales also have FIFO and DIDO roles, mostly at mines in remote and regional areas.
Living locally instead of flying in
FIFO isn’t the only way into the resources industry. If you live in, or move to, a regional town near the work, you could take a DIDO or residential role instead. That usually means less travel, more nights at home and a stronger connection to the local community.
Regional towns also need workers outside of mining, from hospitality and healthcare to trades, which can make it easier for a partner to find work too. In the Northern Territory, WorkinNT is a good starting point for both resources jobs and local roles in other industries, along with hospitality jobs in Darwin.
How to get your first FIFO job
- Pick a realistic entry role. Choose one or two roles that match skills you already have, such as kitchen work, cleaning or driving
- Get the tickets for that role and state. Focus on what the job ads ask for, rather than collecting every ticket available
- Tailor your resume. Lead with safety, reliability and any physical or shift work, and say clearly that you’re available for FIFO rosters
- Apply widely. Many roles are filled through contractors, labour hire companies and camp service providers, as well as mining companies themselves
- Be ready to move quickly. Expect a medical and a drug and alcohol test, and be prepared to start soon after an offer
- Consider DIDO or local roles first. They can be easier to land and give you site experience for future FIFO jobs
How much do FIFO jobs pay?
FIFO jobs often pay more than similar work in the city. That’s partly because of the hourly rate, but mostly because of the hours. Long shifts, overtime and remote site allowances all add up, so two people in the same role can earn very different amounts depending on their roster. When you compare offers, look at the hours and the roster as well as the hourly rate.
Our guide to the highest paying trades in Australia shows how pay compares across construction trades.
Frequently asked questions
What does FIFO mean?
FIFO means fly-in fly-out. You fly to a remote worksite for a set block of days, live in on-site accommodation, then fly home for your days off.
Can I get a FIFO job with no experience?
Yes. Camp roles such as kitchen hand, housekeeper and utility worker, along with site support roles like trade assistant, are common entry points. You’ll still need the right tickets, a pre-employment medical and a drug and alcohol test.
What is the most common FIFO roster?
Rosters vary by site and role. In WA, 2:1 (two weeks on, one week off) and 8:6 are common, while 7:7 even-time rosters are common in Queensland.
Do FIFO workers pay for their own flights and accommodation?
Usually not. Most employers cover flights from a designated hub city, such as Perth or Brisbane, and provide accommodation and meals on site. If you live outside the hub, you may need to pay your own way there.
Do I need Standard 11 for a FIFO job?
Only if you’ll be working on a Queensland coal mine site. Other states and industries have their own inductions, and each site runs its own induction too.
Can I work in mining without flying in and out?
Yes. DIDO and residential roles let you live in a regional town and drive to site or commute daily. Living locally can also open up jobs outside mining for you or your partner.
Find your first FIFO job
When you’re ready, search mining, resources and energy jobs on Workinitiatives to find FIFO, DIDO and residential roles across Australia.
Sources
- Standard 11 requirements: Queensland’s Recognised Standard 11 for coal mine workers, under the Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 (refresher required at least every five years)
- WorkinNT, Northern Territory resources sector overview
- Roster and role examples reflect current FIFO job advertising across WA and Queensland
