Study reveals issues most impacting FIFO worker wellbeing

Perth Now

9 hours ago

Wellbeing begins in the bedroom for fly-in, fly-out workers with a first-of-its-kind study revealing the design of private living quarters had the most impact on morale.
The study, led by West Australian architectural sociologist Jack Tooley, surveyed workers from around the country in a bid to discover how FIFO camp design impacts worker productivity, morale, presenteeism and retention.
Leading the list of gripes for FIFO workers was a lack of sound insulation in bedrooms, bed and mattress quality, room size and the quality of furnishings.
A lack of cleanable surfaces, not enough laundry facilities, and the inability to personalise rooms was also impacting wellbeing. Architectural sociologist Jack Tooley is conducting a landmark study into how FIFO camps impact the workers' wellbeing. Credit: Supplied Shotbythom2025
Dr Tooley, who is the Monash University head of spatial design, said the results were 'totally understandable'.
'While gyms and other facilities are really important the study has shown by magnitudes that the best thing you can do for FIFO workers is give them comfortable, well-insulated bedrooms with a decent sized bed and a good quality mattress,' he said.
'If you're working 12 hours a day in extreme temperatures and conditions and using your body you don't just want but need a decent bed and a good nights sleep to be able to wake up the next day and perform.
'People just want rest, recuperation and to feel clean.' The impact of FIFO camp spatial design on workers' wellbeing. Credit: Jack Tooley
The study revealed the design of FIFO camps reduced workers' morale by more than 15 per cent and decreased productivity by 12 per cent.
Retention was also reduced by more than 11 per cent and presenteeism was down by 9 per cent as a result of bad camp design.
Workers who didn't identify as white, heteronormative males reported that camp design had up to 15 per cent more impact on their wellbeing.
Dr Tooley was now calling on FIFO workers to complete a second survey for the landmark study.
He said the results of this would allow him to develop a first-of-its-kind return on investment calculator, which would allow companies to forecast the ROI from specific design upgrades.
'Mining companies could help so many people with just a few tweaks here and there,' Dr Tooley said.
'The ROI calculator would be available for use by mining companies who are refurbishing existing camps or building them.
'This has the potential to change FIFO workers' lives.'
Some construction companies including Grounded Group were already engaging with the data to produce mining villages that improve staffs' wellbeing.
FIFO workers can fill in the second survey at www.grounded.com.au