Success Stories

Everything to know about FIFO work, according to experts

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Providing an opportunity for job seekers to find work in rural or remote areas, without needing to relocate, FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) work also helps employers meet their workforce demands, where local labour is not available. 

 

Mining recruitment for FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) positions is a popular working arrangement in the mining, construction, oil, and gas industries. Employers temporarily transport employees to their work location for their rostered shifts – generally one to two weeks – and back home during their ‘off’ days. 

 

While FIFO can provide great opportunities and numerous benefits, being away from home and family for long periods of time can impact an individual’s lifestyle and isn’t suited to everyone. Here, Techforce shares everything to know about the benefits and challenges of FIFO work. 

 

FIFO rosters and allowances 

FIFO workers are usually required to work long hours of up to 12 hour shifts with minimal downtime. Common roster arrangements include seven days on followed by seven days off or 14 days on followed by 14 days off. The pay for FIFO work is usually significantly higher than average to compensate for the inconvenience of being away from home and the long working hours. Each site will have different conditions, allowances (such as for meals), salaries, travel arrangements and recreational facilities. As most FIFO sites are isolated, there may be little or no opportunity to go anywhere outside the campsite. 

 

Working remotely without relocating 

Techforce points out some key benefits of FIFO work include the flexibility to work in different locations without the requirement to relocate permanently, the ability to maintain a clear separation between work and life, exposure to exciting industries and diverse people with endless career growth opportunities and the ability tospend quality time with family and friends during days off. 

 

Challenges balancing the demands of FIFO work 

FIFO work comes with its own set of challenges. Techforce says workers can often feel isolated as they will likely miss out on many significant milestones and events back home due to the nature of living away. Being away for long periods of time can also put a strain on relationships. Additionally, the long rosters and hours can leave some feeling fatigued and burnt out. 

 

Techforce says while FIFO work is not suited for everyone, it can be an extremely rewarding and worthwhile career choice for the right person. Whilst mining FIFO opportunities are among the most common, many other industries may offer FIFO work including chef jobs. To discover more about  available opportunities wide as well as other positions including discover more about available opportunities such as FIFO chef jobs Perth wide as well as other positions including chef jobs and more, contact Techforce. 


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By Laura Guthrie March 24, 2026
Mining is one of the first industries people look at when they want to increase their income—fast. Maybe you’re coming from construction , logistics, warehousing, or a trade and thinking, If I’m working long shifts and doing tough work, I want the pay to reflect it. Or maybe you’re already in mining and you’re asking a different version of the same question: How do I level up from here? Which roles actually pay more—and what do I need to move into them? That’s why so many Australians search: what is the highest paying job in mining? Here’s the key: the highest pay in mining isn’t only tied to leadership titles. In many operations, the best-paid roles are the ones that are hard to fill, safety-critical, highly licensed, or technically specialised —especially on FIFO rosters, remote sites, shutdowns, and underground operations . At Techforce Personnel , we help people enter mining for better pay and help experienced workers progress into higher-paying roles across Australia. Below, we’ll break down the roles that often earn the most, what drives mining salaries, and realistic pathways to get there. What Is the Highest Paying Job in Mining (Really)? There isn’t one single role that is always the top earner across every mine site. Mining pay can shift depending on: commodity (iron ore, coal, gold, lithium, etc.) open cut vs underground operations site location and remoteness roster type (FIFO, DIDO, residential) overtime, allowances, and penalties how scarce the skill is (workforce demand) the licences, tickets, and safety responsibilities required So rather than chasing one “magic job title,” it helps to focus on the types of roles that consistently sit at the top end of pay: roles that combine scarce skills + high responsibility + tougher conditions . 
entry level mining jobs
March 2, 2026
Discover entry level mining jobs in Australia, the skills employers look for, and practical ways to start your mining career with Techforce Personnel.