What Is It Really Like Working FIFO?

FIFO can look pretty attractive from the outside.

Strong salary.

Flights to work.

Food and accommodation provided.

A week or two off at a time.

For someone working Monday to Friday and watching half their pay disappear into rent and groceries, it can sound almost unfair.

But FIFO isn't just ordinary work with better money.

You're compressing a lot of work into long stretches away from home, usually in remote environments where your entire routine revolves around the job.

Some people absolutely love it.

Others last one swing and decide the extra money isn't worth another day.

The reality sits somewhere between the glamorous mining-money stories and the horror stories.

What Does FIFO Actually Mean?

FIFO stands for fly-in fly-out.

Instead of permanently living near a remote mine or resources project, you travel to site for a scheduled work period and return home when your roster finishes.

Your work period is commonly called your swing.

A roster might look like:

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

During your swing, you're generally living in accommodation provided near the worksite.

Then when you're off, you're genuinely off for several consecutive days.

That's the main appeal.

What Does a Typical FIFO Day Look Like?

Your exact routine depends on your job, roster and site.

But a common day might look something like this:

Wake up around 4:30am.

Get dressed.

Head to breakfast.

Pack food or collect crib for the day.

Attend a pre-start meeting.

Travel to your work area.

Start a 12-hour shift.

Finish sometime in the evening.

Return to camp.

Shower.

Eat dinner.

Maybe go to the gym.

Call home.

Sleep.

Then repeat it.

FIFO life during your swing can become very repetitive very quickly.

Are 12-Hour Shifts Normal?

Yes.

Twelve-hour shifts are common across mining.

That sounds manageable until you realise you're potentially doing it for:

• Seven days straight
• Eight days straight
• Fourteen days straight

A 12-hour workday also isn't necessarily only 12 hours of your day.

You may need time for:

• Getting ready
• Pre-start meetings
• Travel between camp and work
• Meals
• Showering
• Laundry

Your usable free time on workdays can be fairly limited.

What Happens After Work?

For most workers, not much.

You might:

• Eat
• Go to the gym
• Have a chat with coworkers
• Call family
• Watch something
• Go to bed

Some sites have decent recreational facilities.

But after working a long shift, your enthusiasm for evening activities can disappear pretty quickly.

By the middle of a long swing, successfully making it from dinner to bed can feel like a perfectly productive evening.

What Are FIFO Camps Like?

Mining camps vary enormously.

Some are modern, clean and comfortable.

Others are much more basic.

A typical camp can include:

• Accommodation rooms
• Dining hall
• Gym
• Laundry
• Recreation areas
• Outdoor spaces
• Parking
• Site transport

Some larger camps can feel like small towns.

You're living with hundreds or potentially thousands of other workers.

What Are the Rooms Like?

FIFO rooms are usually functional rather than luxurious.

You might have:

• Bed
• Desk
• Storage
• Air conditioning
• Television
• Small bathroom or ensuite

Room arrangements vary.

Some workers keep the same room each swing.

Others may be allocated whichever room is available when they return.

The quality of the room matters more than you'd expect when you're spending weeks living there.

Do You Get Your Own Bathroom?

Sometimes.

Many camps have ensuite rooms.

Others may have different bathroom arrangements.

Accommodation standards vary significantly between sites, so don't assume every mine camp looks identical.

One site might feel almost like a basic hotel.

Another might remind you fairly quickly that you're living in the middle of nowhere because a mining company needed workers.

Is FIFO Food Good?

This is one of those questions where you'll get wildly different answers.

Most mining camps provide buffet-style meals.

Breakfast might include things such as:

• Eggs
• Bacon
• Toast
• Cereal
• Fruit
• Yoghurt

Dinner can include:

• Meat
• Chicken
• Fish
• Pasta
• Vegetables
• Salads
• Desserts

There can be a huge amount of food available.

Whether it's actually good depends on the camp.

Can You Eat Healthy on FIFO?

Usually, yes.

In fact, some workers probably have more healthy options available at camp than they regularly prepare at home.

The challenge is self-control.

When you've just finished a 12-hour shift and there's unlimited hot food, dessert and soft drink sitting in front of you, portion control can become slightly theoretical.

Plenty of FIFO workers either get extremely fit because they're training constantly or gain weight because they're eating like every dinner is Christmas.

Do You Have to Pay for Food?

Meals are commonly provided while you're staying at camp.

That's one of the major financial advantages of FIFO.

While you're away, you're generally spending much less on:

• Groceries
• Electricity
• Transport
• Entertainment

Your bills at home obviously don't disappear.

But reducing day-to-day spending for large parts of the year can make saving much easier.

Are Flights Free?

Flights between the employer's designated departure point and site are commonly provided or organised.

The important phrase is designated departure point.

If the job is FIFO from Perth and you live in Melbourne, the employer may only cover:

Perth → mine → Perth

Getting between Melbourne and Perth might be your problem.

Always check before accepting a role.

What Is Flying to Work Actually Like?

At first?

Kind of cool.

After you've done it dozens of times?

It's your commute.

You'll get used to:

• Early airport arrivals
• Security
• Waiting around
• Delays
• Work bags
• Sitting next to coworkers who also look half asleep

Eventually, flying to work feels considerably less glamorous than it sounds to someone who's never done FIFO.

It's essentially public transport with wings.

What Is Fly-In Day Like?

Fly-in arrangements vary.

You may need to be at the airport very early.

After landing near site, you could travel by bus to camp or directly to the mine.

Depending on the roster, you might then:

• Start work
• Complete handover
• Attend inductions
• Settle into camp

Fly-in day can therefore be a fairly long day.

What Is Fly-Out Day Like?

Fly-out day is the one everyone looks forward to.

You finish your swing, head to the airport and go home.

Depending on the role, you may still work before flying out.

By the time you've travelled home, your first rostered day off can feel partly consumed by travel and recovery.

It's worth considering when comparing rosters.

What Happens When You Get Home?

This can actually be one of the stranger parts of FIFO.

For a week or two, your life has been completely structured.

Wake up.

Work.

Eat.

Sleep.

Then suddenly you're home with six, seven or fourteen days completely free.

Some workers love that freedom.

Others take a couple of days to adjust.

You might spend your first day:

• Sleeping
• Doing washing
• Seeing your partner
• Catching up with friends
• Doing absolutely nothing

After a long swing, doing absolutely nothing is highly underrated.

Is FIFO Good for Your Social Life?

It can be.

Long breaks can give you significantly more free time than a standard worker.

Imagine having an entire week off every second week.

You can:

• Travel
• Go camping
• See friends
• Pursue hobbies
• Work on projects

But your roster doesn't care about everyone else's calendar.

You may also miss:

• Birthdays
• Weddings
• Parties
• Weekends away
• Sporting events

When everyone else is free on Saturday night, you could be on Day 9 of your swing.

Is FIFO Hard on Relationships?

It can be.

You're regularly absent for extended periods.

That means your partner may be handling normal life alone while you're away.

Then you come home and suddenly re-enter the routine.

Good communication matters.

Some couples genuinely love FIFO because they get concentrated periods apart and then significant uninterrupted time together.

Others find it incredibly difficult.

There's no universal answer.

What About FIFO With Kids?

This can be much harder emotionally.

Working FIFO can mean missing:

• School events
• Birthdays
• Weekends
• Bedtimes
• Sporting matches

The long blocks of time at home can be excellent.

But you can't necessarily move a child's birthday because it inconveniently falls on Day 5 of your swing.

For workers with families, roster quality often becomes more important than simply maximising salary.

Do FIFO Workers Get Lonely?

Some do.

You're surrounded by people, but that doesn't necessarily mean you feel connected to home.

You can miss:

• Your partner
• Family
• Friends
• Pets
• Your normal routine

The first few swings can feel particularly strange.

People who already enjoy independence may adapt more easily than someone who hates being away from their social circle.

Do You Make Friends on Site?

Definitely.

You're spending long stretches of time with the same people.

That can create strong friendships pretty quickly.

You work together.

Eat together.

Live in the same camp.

Fly home together.

The crew can become one of the best parts of FIFO.

It can also become one of the worst parts if you happen to be working with people you can't stand for 12 hours every day.

Workplace culture matters a lot.

What Is the Wet Mess?

Some mining camps have a licensed bar commonly referred to as a wet mess.

Rules vary significantly by site.

Mining companies generally have strict drug and alcohol policies, and workers still need to meet fitness-for-work requirements.

Even where alcohol is available, FIFO isn't exactly the ideal environment for treating every night like Friday night.

You've probably got another 12-hour shift starting in a few hours.

What Is Night Shift Like?

Night shift can be rough.

Instead of working something like 6am to 6pm, you might work the reverse.

You'll finish in the morning, eat and then attempt to sleep during the day.

Some people adapt fairly well.

Others never really enjoy it.

The biggest challenges can include:

• Sleep disruption
• Fatigue
• Reduced social contact
• Adjusting between days and nights

Rotating between day and night swings can be particularly difficult.

Is FIFO Boring?

It can be.

Especially during long swings.

Work.

Eat.

Sleep.

Repeat.

For some people, the routine is actually one of the appeals.

There are fewer distractions.

You can focus on work, gym and sleep.

For someone who needs constant variety and social activity, camp life can feel extremely repetitive.

Does FIFO Make It Easier to Save Money?

Potentially, yes.

This is one of FIFO's biggest advantages.

During your swing, you're generally:

• Not buying groceries
• Not paying for daily commuting
• Not going out much
• Not randomly spending money at shops

Combine that with higher mining earnings and you can create an extremely strong savings rate.

Provided you don't immediately spend everything when you fly home.

The FIFO Spending Trap

This is surprisingly common.

Someone spends two weeks working hard.

They fly home feeling like they've earned a reward.

So they:

• Go out constantly
• Buy expensive toys
• Finance a new ute
• Go on trips
• Spend heavily

Then the next swing begins.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying your money.

But if your whole reason for doing FIFO is building savings, your behaviour during your breaks matters almost as much as your salary.

Is It Easy to Stay Fit Working FIFO?

It can actually be easier for some people.

Many camps have gyms.

Your routine can become:

Work.

Eat.

Gym.

Sleep.

There are fewer distractions than at home.

Some FIFO workers become extremely consistent with training because there's not much else competing for their time.

Is FIFO Physically Exhausting?

Depends on the job.

A driller's offsider and an office-based employee can both work FIFO while having completely different physical demands.

Physical jobs can become particularly tough when you're working 12-hour shifts repeatedly.

Even less physical positions can become mentally exhausting because of:

• Long hours
• Repetition
• Heat
• Shift work
• Fatigue

Your body notices Day 12.

What Is FIFO Like in Summer?

Some Australian mining regions get extremely hot.

Outdoor workers can spend significant time operating in harsh conditions.

Sites manage heat risk through safety procedures, hydration and work practices.

But there's no getting around the basic fact that remote mining environments can be hot.

Very hot.

An air-conditioned crib room becomes one of humanity's greatest achievements surprisingly quickly.

What Is FIFO Like in Winter?

Depends where you're working.

Remote Australia isn't universally scorching.

Some locations can become surprisingly cold overnight or early in the morning.

The big lesson is simply this:

Check the climate for the actual site.

Don't assume all mining means walking around permanently cooked by the sun.

What Do You Pack for FIFO?

Your employer will usually provide guidance.

Workers commonly take things such as:

• Casual clothes
• Toiletries
• Underwear and socks
• Chargers
• Headphones
• Gym clothing
• Personal medication
• Sleep accessories

Work PPE may be supplied or have specific employer requirements.

Don't pack like you're moving permanently into the desert.

Camp rooms aren't usually enormous.

Can You Do Laundry?

Yes.

Mining camps generally provide laundry facilities.

On longer swings, doing washing is simply part of your routine.

Some sites may provide additional laundry services depending on the employer and camp.

You're not packing 14 separate work uniforms into your carry-on.

Is There Internet at FIFO Camps?

Usually.

Quality varies.

Some camps have perfectly usable internet.

Others can be slow or unreliable.

This matters more than you'd expect when you're trying to:

• Video call home
• Stream something
• Study
• Work on side projects

Don't assume you're going to have city-quality fibre internet in the middle of remote Western Australia.

Can You Run a Side Business While Working FIFO?

Potentially.

The blocks of time off can be useful for:

• Freelancing
• Online businesses
• Study
• Content creation
• Other projects

Even-time rosters are particularly attractive for this.

Someone on 2/2 effectively gets two-week blocks where their time is largely their own.

The challenge is energy.

You may need some recovery before immediately turning your break into a second full-time job.

Is FIFO Good for Travel?

It can be excellent.

Long breaks make domestic and international trips easier.

Someone on a 2/2 roster may have two weeks available every month without needing to request annual leave.

That is a huge lifestyle advantage.

You simply need to plan travel around your next fly-in date.

Missing your flight back to work because you're still in Bali probably isn't a strong career move.

What Are the Best Things About FIFO?

For many workers, the biggest advantages are:

• Strong earning potential
• Long blocks of time off
• Food and accommodation on site
• Ability to save
• Career progression
• Mining experience
• Less everyday commuting

The time off is often underrated.

There aren't many careers where having seven or fourteen consecutive days away from work is simply your normal roster.

What Are the Worst Things About FIFO?

The major downsides include:

• Time away from home
• Long shifts
• Fatigue
• Missing important events
• Repetitive camp life
• Night shift
• Remote locations
• Relationship pressure

Some of these become harder the longer you stay in the industry.

A roster that feels exciting at 22 may feel completely different at 35 with a partner and kids.

Is FIFO Actually Worth the Money?

That depends on the gap between what you're earning and what you're sacrificing.

Imagine a local job pays $100,000.

A FIFO role pays $130,000.

But the FIFO job involves significantly longer hours and extended time away.

That extra $30,000 might not look quite as appealing.

Now imagine the FIFO job pays $170,000 on an attractive roster.

Different conversation.

Always compare the actual role rather than assuming any FIFO job is automatically financially superior.

Why Do Some People Love FIFO?

Because it suits them.

They may enjoy:

• Structured work periods
• Minimal commuting
• Long breaks
• Strong income
• Independence
• Remote work

For someone without many commitments at home, working hard for a week and then having a week completely free can be a brilliant lifestyle.

Why Do People Quit FIFO?

The reasons are usually pretty predictable.

They get tired of:

• Being away
• Missing family
• Long shifts
• Camp life
• Night shift
• Relationship strain
• Fatigue

Others simply reach a financial goal.

Someone might work FIFO for five years, buy a house and decide they're happy earning less closer to home.

FIFO doesn't need to be a lifelong career to be worthwhile.

Is FIFO Good for Young People?

It can be particularly attractive when you're young and have fewer commitments.

You may be able to:

• Save aggressively
• Gain industry experience
• Travel during breaks
• Build a house deposit
• Invest

The danger is lifestyle inflation.

A huge salary at 22 can feel unlimited.

It isn't.

Using a few high-income FIFO years to build financial security can be much more valuable than simply upgrading everything you own.

Is FIFO a Good Long-Term Career?

It can be.

Plenty of people spend decades in mining.

As your experience develops, you may move into:

• Better rosters
• Higher-paying roles
• Supervision
• Management
• Specialist positions

You may also eventually move into a residential mining role or another industry.

Your career doesn't have to stay exactly the same.

What Is the First Swing Like?

Usually a mixture of:

Exciting.

Overwhelming.

Tiring.

You need to learn:

• Camp layout
• Site procedures
• Your job
• Safety systems
• Transport
• Meal routines

Everything is new.

By your third or fourth swing, it can already feel surprisingly normal.

Humans adapt quickly.

Even apparently to waking up at 4:30am in the middle of nowhere.

How Long Does It Take to Get Used to FIFO?

There's no set answer.

Some people settle in immediately.

Others need several swings.

The hardest adjustments can be:

• Sleeping
• Long workdays
• Being away from home
• Camp routine
• Night shift

If you genuinely hate it after several swings, don't assume you need to force yourself to stay forever because the salary is good.

Money matters.

So does actually enjoying your life.

Who Is FIFO Best Suited To?

FIFO can suit people who:

• Don't mind being away from home
• Like structured routines
• Can handle long shifts
• Want blocks of time off
• Have strong financial goals
• Are comfortable working remotely
• Can manage fatigue
• Are relatively independent

You don't need to love every part of it.

But you need to tolerate the core lifestyle.

Who Probably Won't Enjoy FIFO?

It may be a poor fit if:

• You hate being away from home
• You need a regular social routine
• You struggle badly with long shifts
• You hate repetitive schedules
• Your relationship can't handle extended absence
• You only want FIFO because someone told you the salary

The money alone doesn't automatically make the lifestyle work.

So, What Is Working FIFO Really Like?

During your swing, FIFO is mostly work.

Long days.

Early mornings.

Food.

Camp.

Sleep.

Repeat.

Then suddenly you fly home and have a huge block of free time.

That's the strange rhythm of FIFO.

The salary can be excellent.

The ability to save can be excellent.

The time off can be incredible.

But you're earning those benefits by compressing your working life into demanding blocks away from home.

For some people, that's a fantastic trade.

For others, it isn't remotely worth it.

The only way to judge FIFO properly is to stop thinking of it as simply a high-paying job and start thinking of it as a completely different way of structuring your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is working FIFO really like?

FIFO usually involves long shifts at a remote site, living in camp accommodation during your swing and then returning home for several consecutive days or weeks off.

Are FIFO shifts really 12 hours?

Twelve-hour shifts are common in mining, although exact shift lengths vary depending on the role and employer.

Is FIFO camp food free?

Meals are commonly provided while workers are on site, although arrangements vary between employers and camps.

Do FIFO workers get their own room?

Individual rooms are common at mining camps, but accommodation standards and bathroom arrangements vary between sites.

Is FIFO hard on relationships?

It can be. Extended periods away from home can place pressure on relationships, although some couples find the long blocks of time together during rostered breaks work well.

Is FIFO good for saving money?

It can be excellent for saving because mining salaries can be strong while food and accommodation are commonly provided during work swings. Your spending habits while home still matter.

Is FIFO boring?

It can become repetitive because workdays often revolve around working, eating and sleeping. Some workers enjoy the routine while others find camp life monotonous.

Is FIFO worth it?

FIFO can be worth it for people who value higher earnings and long rostered breaks and are comfortable with long shifts and periods away from home. It isn't the right lifestyle for everyone.