How to Get a FIFO Job With No Experience

FIFO jobs have a reputation for paying big money.

You fly to a remote mine site, work for a couple of weeks, fly home and apparently return with enough money to buy a LandCruiser.

At least that's the version you'll see online.

The reality is slightly more complicated.

FIFO can provide excellent earning opportunities, but getting your first mining job without experience can be difficult.

Employers often prefer people who already understand mine sites, safety procedures and long shifts.

Which creates the classic problem.

How do you get mining experience when every mining job seems to want mining experience?

The good news is that people enter the industry every year without having worked on a mine before.

You just need to target the right jobs and approach the search properly.

What Does FIFO Mean?

FIFO stands for fly-in fly-out.

Workers generally live somewhere away from the mine and fly to site for each work swing.

You might fly from a major city to a remote mining operation, work your roster and then fly home for your break.

FIFO is particularly common in Western Australia and Queensland, where many mining operations are located a long way from major population centres.

Do You Need Mining Experience to Work FIFO?

Not for every job.

Some mining positions require significant experience, qualifications or licences.

You're obviously not going to walk onto a mine with no experience and immediately start operating a massive excavator.

But mines also require large numbers of workers across:

• Labouring
• Cleaning
• Catering
• Hospitality
• Utilities
• Warehousing
• Drilling support
• Trades assistance
• Site services

These positions can provide a pathway into the industry.

Once you have mine-site experience, applying for other mining jobs can become easier.

What Are the Best Entry-Level FIFO Jobs?

Some of the more realistic options for people without mining experience include:

• Utility worker
• Mine-site cleaner
• Kitchen hand
• Catering assistant
• Housekeeper
• Trades assistant
• Driller's offsider
• Storeperson
• Labourer
• Site services worker

Not every employer will accept inexperienced applicants for every role.

But these are much more realistic targets than applying for highly skilled mining positions you aren't qualified to perform.

FIFO Utility Worker

Utility roles are one of the most common entry points into remote mining camps.

A utility worker can perform several different duties around camp.

These might include:

• Cleaning rooms
• Cleaning communal areas
• Kitchen assistance
• Dining room duties
• Laundry
• Mine-site cleaning
• General camp services

It's not glamorous.

But if your goal is simply getting your first FIFO experience, utility work can be a useful doorway.

Mine-Site Cleaning

Remote mining camps require huge amounts of cleaning.

Think about the scale of a camp housing hundreds or even thousands of workers.

Someone needs to maintain:

• Accommodation rooms
• Bathrooms
• Offices
• Dining facilities
• Common areas
• Site facilities

Cleaning roles may not require a trade qualification or previous mining experience.

Experience in commercial cleaning can still help.

FIFO Kitchen Hand

Mining camps operate large commercial kitchens.

Kitchen hands can assist with:

• Food preparation
• Dishwashing
• Cleaning
• Kitchen organisation
• Basic food service

Hospitality experience can make you a stronger applicant.

If you've worked in restaurants, pubs, hotels or commercial kitchens, don't assume that experience is irrelevant to mining.

Remote camps need hospitality workers too.

FIFO Catering Jobs

Larger camps employ entire hospitality teams.

Roles can include:

• Kitchen hands
• Cooks
• Chefs
• Catering assistants
• Bar staff
• Dining room attendants

Qualified chefs can have particularly good opportunities.

But entry-level catering positions can also provide a way into FIFO for people without mining experience.

FIFO Housekeeping

Housekeeping is another potential entry point.

Workers may clean and prepare accommodation rooms for mine-site employees.

Previous experience in:

• Hotels
• Motels
• Resorts
• Commercial cleaning

can strengthen your application.

The work can be repetitive and physically demanding.

But again, the goal may be getting that first mine-site role onto your resume.

Trades Assistant

If you're practical and comfortable using tools, trades assistant work can be worth targeting.

A trades assistant generally supports qualified tradespeople.

Depending on the workplace, tasks might involve:

• Preparing equipment
• Moving materials
• Cleaning work areas
• Assisting tradespeople
• Basic tool use
• General maintenance support

Mechanical or construction experience can make you particularly attractive.

TA work can also provide exposure to skilled trades and maintenance environments.

Driller's Offsider

Driller's offsider is probably one of the best-known entry-level mining jobs.

It's also one of the jobs people regularly underestimate.

A driller's offsider assists drilling operations.

The work can be:

• Extremely physical
• Dirty
• Hot
• Repetitive
• Remote

You may be handling drilling equipment and working long shifts in difficult conditions.

Is Driller's Offsider Work Hard?

Yes.

Very.

If your only reason for applying is that you saw an impressive salary advertised, think carefully.

Employers want people who can handle physically demanding work for long shifts without deciding three days into their first swing that FIFO isn't for them.

If you're fit, practical and genuinely comfortable with hard physical work, it can provide a strong entry point.

FIFO Storeperson

Mine sites need warehouses and stores to manage enormous quantities of:

• Parts
• Tools
• Consumables
• Equipment
• PPE
• Maintenance materials

Storeperson roles can involve:

• Receiving goods
• Picking orders
• Inventory
• Forklift operation
• Stock control
• Computer systems

Previous warehousing experience can transfer extremely well.

A forklift licence can also make you a stronger candidate for some positions.

Entry-Level Mining Labourer

Labouring roles can provide another pathway.

Work varies enormously depending on the site and employer.

You may perform:

• General site duties
• Manual handling
• Cleaning
• Equipment preparation
• Maintenance support

Construction or civil labouring experience can help demonstrate that you're already comfortable working in physically demanding environments.

Do Entry-Level FIFO Jobs Pay Well?

They can pay considerably more than similar jobs in metropolitan areas.

But be careful when comparing salaries.

FIFO workers may be completing:

• 12-hour shifts
• Nights
• Weekends
• Long consecutive work periods

A salary that looks enormous initially can look more normal when converted into an hourly rate.

That's not to say FIFO doesn't pay well.

It can.

Just understand what you're being paid to do.

What Is a FIFO Roster?

Your roster determines how long you spend at work and how long you spend at home.

Common examples can include:

• 8 days on, 6 days off
• 2 weeks on, 1 week off
• 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off
• 7 days on, 7 days off

Rosters vary significantly by employer, role and site.

Don't compare two FIFO salaries without comparing their rosters.

A $120,000 salary on one roster and $140,000 on another may involve dramatically different total working hours.

Are FIFO Shifts Really 12 Hours?

Often, yes.

Twelve-hour shifts are common across mining operations.

That can mean waking up early, working a full shift, eating, showering and going to sleep before doing it again the next day.

Your work swing isn't necessarily a holiday in the outback with occasional employment sprinkled throughout.

You're there to work.

What Tickets Do You Need for FIFO?

There isn't one universal "FIFO ticket".

Requirements depend entirely on the role.

Useful licences or qualifications can include:

• Driver's licence
• White Card
• Forklift licence
• Working at Heights
• Confined Space
• First Aid

But don't immediately spend thousands of dollars collecting random tickets.

Only obtain qualifications that are relevant to the roles you're targeting.

Having 14 unrelated tickets doesn't automatically make you employable.

Do You Need a White Card?

For construction-related mining roles, a White Card can be useful or required.

However, requirements vary depending on the position and work environment.

If you're targeting trades assistant, construction or maintenance work, having one may strengthen your application.

For camp hospitality roles, it may be irrelevant.

Again, match your tickets to the job.

Do You Need a Driver's Licence?

A driver's licence is extremely useful.

Many mining jobs require one.

Sites are enormous, and workers may need to operate light vehicles as part of their duties.

Some employers specifically require a manual driver's licence.

Check advertisements carefully.

If you don't currently have a licence and you're serious about working FIFO, getting one should be high on your list.

Do You Need a Police Check?

Some employers may require a National Police Check as part of recruitment.

Requirements vary by company and position.

Don't assume that every mine has exactly the same onboarding process.

The advertisement or recruiter should tell you what's required.

Do You Need a Medical?

Pre-employment medical assessments are common in mining.

The exact assessment depends on the role and employer.

It can involve checks related to your ability to safely perform the work.

Physically demanding positions may have more extensive requirements.

Do FIFO Jobs Require Drug and Alcohol Testing?

Mining companies generally take drug and alcohol policies extremely seriously.

Pre-employment testing can form part of the recruitment process.

Sites may also conduct testing during employment.

If you're entering mining, understand that workplace drug and alcohol requirements can be stricter than what you've experienced in other industries.

How Fit Do You Need to Be?

It depends on the job.

A driller's offsider needs a very different level of physical capability from someone working in administration.

But even supposedly straightforward jobs such as housekeeping can involve long hours of physical work.

Being generally fit and comfortable working long shifts can make FIFO life easier.

Write Your Resume for Mining

Don't simply send the same generic resume you've used for every other job.

Make relevant experience obvious.

Mining employers may value experience involving:

• Safety
• Physical work
• Construction
• Warehousing
• Machinery
• Tools
• Shift work
• Remote work
• Hospitality
• Cleaning
• Team environments

If you've never worked in mining, focus on transferable experience.

Safety Experience Matters

Mining is extremely safety focused.

If you've previously worked in:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Warehousing
• Logistics
• Industrial environments

highlight your experience with workplace safety.

That could include:

• PPE
• Safe work procedures
• Hazard identification
• Pre-starts
• Manual handling
• Toolbox meetings

Don't simply write "safety focused" and call it a day.

Give employers evidence.

Show That You Can Handle the Roster

Employers don't want to spend time and money onboarding someone who quits after their first swing.

If you have experience involving:

• Long shifts
• Night shifts
• Remote work
• Physical work
• Extended periods away from home

make it obvious.

Even non-mining experience can demonstrate that you're capable of dealing with demanding work conditions.

Apply for the Right Jobs

One of the biggest mistakes inexperienced applicants make is applying for absolutely everything.

Read the requirements.

If the advertisement says:

"Minimum three years mining experience required"

and you have zero mining experience, your chances probably aren't fantastic.

Instead, look for phrases such as:

• Entry level
• No mining experience required
• Trainee
• Utilities
• Trades assistant
• All-rounder
• FIFO experience desirable

"Desirable" and "essential" are not the same thing.

Apply Directly to Mining Contractors

The company operating the mine isn't necessarily the company employing everyone on site.

Mining relies heavily on contractors.

Contractors provide services including:

• Maintenance
• Drilling
• Catering
• Camp management
• Construction
• Labour hire
• Logistics

This significantly expands the number of employers you can target.

Don't Only Apply to the Big Mining Companies

Everyone knows the major miners.

That means everyone applies to them.

There are also:

• Mining contractors
• Drilling companies
• Equipment businesses
• Camp services providers
• Labour hire companies
• Maintenance contractors

Your first FIFO job doesn't need to be directly with one of Australia's biggest mining companies.

You need experience.

Once you have it, more doors can open.

Labour Hire Can Get You Onto Site

Labour hire businesses recruit workers for mining and industrial clients.

They can be worth registering with if you're trying to get your first opportunity.

You may initially get:

• Casual work
• Short contracts
• Shutdown work
• Temporary assignments

That isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Your first objective is getting legitimate mine-site experience onto your resume.

Mining Shutdowns Can Be an Entry Point

Shutdowns involve temporarily stopping parts of a mining or processing operation for major maintenance.

They require large temporary workforces.

Shutdown work can involve:

• Trades
• Trades assistants
• Labourers
• Cleaners
• Maintenance support

The work is temporary.

But it can provide valuable site experience and industry contacts.

Consider Residential Mining Jobs

FIFO isn't the only way to work in mining.

Some mining towns employ residential workers who live locally.

If you're willing to relocate, residential roles can sometimes give you another pathway into the industry.

Once you have mining experience, you can always reconsider FIFO later.

Be Flexible About Your First Role

Your first mining job doesn't have to be your dream job.

Maybe you ultimately want to operate heavy machinery.

Your first role might be site services.

Maybe you want to become a mining tradesperson.

You might start as a trades assistant.

Getting onto site allows you to:

• Learn how mining works
• Build experience
• Meet people
• Understand safety systems
• Hear about internal opportunities

Think strategically.

Don't Lie About Mining Experience

Don't do it.

Mine sites take competency and safety seriously.

Claiming experience you don't have can create serious problems.

If you haven't worked in mining before, say so.

Then explain why your existing skills transfer.

A construction labourer with no mining experience still has relevant experience.

A warehouse worker can have relevant experience.

A hospitality worker can have relevant experience for camp services.

Sell what you actually have.

Networking Can Help

Mining can be surprisingly small once you're inside it.

People move between:

• Sites
• Contractors
• Equipment companies
• Mining businesses

Knowing someone isn't mandatory.

But referrals can certainly help.

If you know anyone working FIFO, ask them about:

• Their employer
• Contractors on site
• Upcoming recruitment
• Entry-level roles
• What the company actually looks for

Don't immediately ask them to "get you a job".

Ask useful questions first.

LinkedIn Can Be Useful

Mining recruiters use LinkedIn extensively.

Make your profile clearly show:

• Your location
• Work history
• Qualifications
• Licences
• Availability
• Type of FIFO work you're seeking

You can also connect with recruiters specialising in:

• Mining
• Resources
• Drilling
• Trades
• Maintenance

Keep it professional.

Sending "FIFO JOBS???" to 47 recruiters probably isn't the winning strategy.

Be Ready to Move Quickly

Mining recruitment can move fast.

Keep important documents organised.

That can include:

• Resume
• Driver's licence
• Tickets
• Qualifications
• References
• Police check if required
• Identification

If a recruiter calls with an opportunity starting quickly, being organised can give you an advantage.

Answer Your Phone

This sounds ridiculously obvious.

But recruiters often contact multiple candidates.

If you apply for 30 FIFO jobs and then ignore every unfamiliar phone number, you're making the process unnecessarily difficult.

Check your voicemail.

Return calls.

Monitor your email.

The person calling from an unknown number might actually be offering you an interview rather than trying to sell you solar panels.

Be Prepared for FIFO Interview Questions

Employers may ask questions about:

• Safety
• Working in teams
• Long shifts
• Physical work
• Remote environments
• Following procedures
• Previous workplace incidents
• Why you want FIFO

Think about examples from your previous work.

You don't need mining examples if you've never worked in mining.

Use situations from construction, hospitality, warehousing or wherever you've worked.

Have a Good Answer for "Why FIFO?"

Try to go beyond:

"Money."

Everyone knows the money is part of the attraction.

Employers want confidence that you've thought about the lifestyle.

You might talk about:

• Enjoying structured rosters
• Being comfortable working long shifts
• Wanting to build a mining career
• Being interested in the industry
• Wanting blocks of time off between swings

You can acknowledge the earning potential without making it sound like you'll disappear the moment another company offers an extra $2 an hour.

Understand What You're Signing Up For

FIFO isn't for everyone.

You're potentially going to:

• Spend weeks away from home
• Work 12-hour shifts
• Wake up extremely early
• Work nights
• Miss social events
• Live in remote camps
• Eat in the same dining hall every day

Some people love the structure.

Others absolutely hate it.

There's no shame in either.

But finding out after you've spent months trying to get a FIFO job isn't ideal.

Is FIFO Worth It?

It can be.

FIFO can provide:

• Strong earning potential
• Long blocks of time off
• Career opportunities
• Mining experience
• Accommodation while on site
• Meals while on site

For someone trying to save money quickly, the combination of higher earnings and reduced expenses while on site can be particularly attractive.

But you're exchanging time and lifestyle for those benefits.

Your First FIFO Job Is the Hardest One

This is probably the most important thing to understand.

Before your first mining role, your resume says:

No mining experience.

After you've worked on site, it says:

Mining experience.

That changes things.

You've demonstrated that you can:

• Work on a mine site
• Follow mining safety procedures
• Handle the roster
• Live remotely
• Complete long shifts

That can make your second FIFO job considerably easier to land.

The Best Strategy for Getting Into FIFO

If you have no mining experience, don't try to skip straight to highly skilled roles.

Target genuine entry points.

Look at:

• Utility work
• Cleaning
• Catering
• Trades assistant roles
• Drilling
• Warehousing
• Labouring
• Shutdowns

Apply to contractors as well as mining companies.

Highlight transferable experience.

Get only the tickets relevant to the work you're targeting.

Be flexible about your first role.

And apply consistently.

You may get rejected repeatedly.

That's normal.

You don't need every mining company to hire you.

You need one employer to give you your first swing.

After that, you're no longer trying to get into mining with no experience.

You're trying to build a mining career.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a FIFO job with no experience?

Yes. Entry-level opportunities exist in areas such as utilities, cleaning, catering, trades assistance, drilling support, warehousing and labouring. Requirements vary between employers.

What is the easiest FIFO job to get with no experience?

There isn't one guaranteed easiest role, but utility, housekeeping, cleaning, kitchen hand and some labouring positions can provide entry points for people without previous mining experience.

What is the best entry-level FIFO job?

It depends on your goals. Trades assistant roles can be useful for people wanting to move towards maintenance, while utility roles can provide a straightforward way to gain initial mine-site experience.

Do you need qualifications to work FIFO?

Some positions require trade qualifications, licences or specific competencies, while others don't. Requirements depend entirely on the job.

Do you need a driver's licence for FIFO?

Many mining positions require a driver's licence, and some specifically require a manual licence. Check the requirements of each role before applying.

Do you need a White Card for FIFO?

Not every FIFO position requires a White Card. It may be required or useful for construction, maintenance and trades-related roles.

How long are FIFO shifts?

Twelve-hour shifts are common in mining, although working hours and rosters vary by site, employer and role.

What are common FIFO rosters?

Common arrangements include 8 days on and 6 off, 2 weeks on and 1 off, 2 weeks on and 2 off, and 7 days on and 7 off. Actual rosters vary considerably.

Is FIFO worth it?

FIFO can provide strong earnings and substantial blocks of time off, but it also involves long shifts and extended periods away from home. Whether it's worth it depends on your financial goals and preferred lifestyle.