Do you want a high-paying job that allows you to work in different locations for weeks at a time? Or perhaps you’ve got all these technical skills in your repertoire of capabilities, and you’re looking to take advantage of them in a more profitable way than by just being a car mechanic or a town electrician. If so, then you might want to consider a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) job in the mining industry.

FIFO jobs in Australia are essentially mining jobs that require you to be flown out to a remote work area during your contract period, so you can expect to be quite far away from your hometown for up to multiple days to even several weeks or months. You can also expect long hours of hard work while on location. The trade off here is that when you’re off-shift, you get to enjoy quite a huge chunk of free time before you’re on-shift again, allowing you to rest and recuperate as much as you like. An example of a typical FIFO shift can range from 9 days on site and 5 days off, up to 3 months on and 3 weeks off.

There’s also the fact that FIFO jobs in Australia are some of the most lucrative that you’ll find in today’s job market, so even if you may be away from home for days at a time, the amount of money you’ll be earning can certainly make up for it and more. The consecutive days off you get will also mean that you’ll have much more free time to spend with your family and friends.
That being said, FIFO jobs aren’t for everyone. So before you put in “FIFO jobs WA” in your favourite search engine, check first for the following signs to see if a FIFO job in mining is right for you.

You’ve got the necessary qualifications and tickets
First and foremost, check if you’ve got what it takes, professionally, to be in a FIFO mining job. This includes having a background in mining and mining-related services. This may include (but are not limited to) education and skills related to mechanic work, electrician work, construction work, and more. If you have a geology degree or something related to the field, then that could also help you. As for tickets, the following are highly required and key to you getting a foot in the FIFO mining job door: Working at Heights, Working in Confined Spaces, Construction White Card, and HR Driver’s License. For deployment in oil rigs, you may need BOSIET and CSPT tickets.

You’re single, or have a stable family life
If your family life is stable to the point that you can spend weeks away from home with things generally being solid and staying the same, then perhaps it’s still a career you can consider. It’s best to talk to your family and know exactly what you’re getting into before making any rash decisions. This way, you can make a decision without feeling like you’re being forced into or out of something that you might end up regretting in the end.

You’re a hard worker who doesn’t mind getting dirty
If you’re already well-versed in construction, electrician work, or mechanic work, then chances are, you already deal with a lot of grime and muck during your typical work days, so you’ll probably be just fine working in a mine. However, do be warned that a FIFO mining job will expose you to long hours of hard and arduous work, especially if you’ve just gotten started in the industry. As such, be prepared to really give it your all with every shift and enjoy the grind.

You like being in a new places
Have you always dreamed about travelling abroad and experiencing cultures wildly different from your own? If so, then a FIFO mining job may be right up your alley, as being in this industry will see you being sent to many new locations, perhaps not just in different parts of Australia but also in a completely different continent, one that you may be able to explore during your days off. Moreover, you can also use your long downtime away from work to do some traveling of your own, something that you may find difficult to do with a regular day job.

You make friends easily
Making friends on a FIFO mining job is quite important, as the people you’ll be spending time with while you’re on duty will be the only ones you’ll be interacting with for most of your stay there. However, even if you’re the shy kind, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to break out of your shell and just get along with your coworkers. After all, you’re all in the same boat there, and having mates to chat with and depend on makes the long hours a bit more bearable.  

You’re not a picky eater
Are you not that particular with your food and will chow down on anything when it’s put in front of you on a plate? If you’re okay with a lack of variety, then you should do well in a FIFO mining job. One of the biggest complaints in such a profession is the usual lack of variety when it comes to meal options. Workers who don’t mind having the same thing for lunch or dinner for days on end should do well here.

A FIFO mining job could be the right fit for you
Do you want to take your skills, expertise, and hardworking attitude to a more profitable playing field? If you do, then you may be a good candidate for a FIFO mining job in Western Australia. Check the above list of signs to see if you’d be perfect for such a profession.  You’ve got a lot of competition to outpace, so it’s best to know if you’re the right fit before surging on ahead. With that said, good luck on your job hunt!