Is a FIFO Job (Fly in Fly Out) Right for You?
Interested in fly-in, fly-out jobs in the mining, transport and construction industry? Dislike dealing with employers who don’t understand your job? Do you want to be with a team that understands the demands of a FIFO job?
You might even want a FIFO job and not even know it. In that case, it’s helpful to have an overview of what a FIFO job is.
What is a FIFO job?
Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) jobs are jobs located in remote areas where employees are flown out to the job site during their shifts. Employees will then typically stay on site for the duration of their roster period. Once this period is completed, the company then flies them back home or to a major transport hub from where employees can make their way home.
Rosters can range anywhere from three weeks on and one week off to much shorter periods, such as 9 days on, 5 days off, and 8 days on, 6 days off.
The biggest advantage of these jobs is that employees can stay in their own homes with their families. This means there isn’t a huge disruption in family life as would be typical in many traditional mining jobs.
FIFO jobs are often compared with drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) jobs, where employees are expected to drive themselves to the job site, then drive themselves out at the end of their roster period.
What living accommodations can I expect at a FIFO job?
You probably shouldn’t expect a hotel room, given the remoteness of most FIFO job sites, but at the very least you can expect to be provided with comfortable accommodations. Most employers will also provide you with food and a way to cover your laundry and cleaning as well.
While living conditions at most FIFO job sites are basic, you can expect electricity and other essentials to be accounted for. Occasionally, you may even have an internet connection, though this is by no means guaranteed. The use of utilities may be deducted from your paycheck, so it’s important to read your contract thoroughly before signing.
Why is there a lot of competition for FIFO jobs?
FIFO jobs usually pay better than comparable DIDO jobs due to the remoteness of most FIFO work sites. There is also a much-reduced commute time compared to DIDO jobs. This means employees get to spend much more of their personal time for themselves. Overall, the FIFO industry also has some of the best compensation packages for mining and related jobs in WA. Most mining employment agencies or the mining recruitment agencies cannot match the offer of the top FIFO companies.
Together, this has made the competition for FIFO jobs quite stiff, especially among those with experience in the mining and construction industries.
What kind of FIFO jobs are there?
Most FIFO jobs in Western Australia are related to the mining, transport and construction industries. FIFO jobs WA jobseekers tend to look for are mostly within these industries, though there are also support jobs that are not necessarily directly related to them.
Some of the more common FIFO job openings include:
- Heavy Duty Mechanics
- Heavy Road Transport Mechanics
- Underground Fitters
- Trades Assistants
- Light Vehicle Mechanics
- Maintenance Supervisors
- Maintenance Superintendents
- Auto Electricians
- High Voltage Electricians
- Boilermakers
- Line Borers
- Material Logistic Officers
- Store personnel
- Store Support personnel
To qualify for FIFO job openings, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Australian Recognised Trade Certificate (when applicable)
- Valid Driver’s Licence
- A number of successful reference checks
- Updated Police Clearance
However, while previous experience can be helpful, it’s not strictly necessary for all the available jobs at FIFO sites. There are plenty of non-mining related support jobs, and you might be surprised at the types of expertise needed at remote sites.