FIFO workers in Australia reveal their extraordinary salaries, with some expats saving hundreds of thousands to buy property back home

Sky News AU

3 days ago

Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers in Australia have revealed their extraordinary salaries, with some expats earning six figures per year and saving small fortunes to buy property in their home country.
FIFO work has, in recent years, grown in popularity in Australia with expats and Aussies eager to reap the benefits of working at remote sites.
The work is commonly found in the mining industry, but can also occur in construction and the oil and gas sector, where employees are rostered for about two weeks before returning to their home base for some time off.
The FIFO roles range from specialised trades, like plumbers and carpenters, to operating machinery, including trucks and excavators.
An Irish expat recently took to TikTok to say he earned "well over $123,000" after a year of working as an entry-level FIFO driller in mining.
The man came to Australia with $400 to his name, but said he earned $12,340.10 in the first month, followed by $25,500 in the second month.
After two years, the expat said he saved "up to $200,000" and "was then able to return home and buy my first home."
"The base pay over here is about $98,000 per year, so it's very easy to make a lot of money, especially in every level roles," he said.
"There are a few entry-level jobs that pay well up to $140,000 a year, so its easy to stack up the cash."
"Keep in mind, while you're working FIFO mining in Australia, there's very little expenses out here, essentially you have no expenses."
A female expat said she saved $30,000 by earning $3,000-$5,000 per week over 12-hour days for four months working in the mines.
The woman said entry-level roles which don't require any experience include FIFO utility or trade assistant positions.
She said the company covered her flights and accommodation, as well as provided free food, which contributed to her savings.
However, free accommodation for FIFO workers is not always standard, according to Resource Accommodation, which houses workers in WA.
The company states workers may have to pay for their accommodation, with the cost deducted from their wages, or pay for it in part in cases of short-term contracts or when the accommodation is of a high standard.
At tax time, FIFO workers can nevertheless claim significant costs back.
This includes car, travel, meal, and snack expenses, as well as clothing and laundry costs, according to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Ashlea, a female FIFO truck driver at a Perth mine, said the salary of FIFO workers is also bumped due to hefty bonuses.
The young worker said she earned $36.50 per hour for the first three months while working 12-hour days for 14 days on, followed by 14 days off, amounting to "working six months of the year".
Ashlea said her hourly rate increased to $43.50 for the first year, which took her annual earnings to about "$95,000 annually for the six months".
She then switched sites, where she was employed by a contracting company rather than directly through the mine, earning $51.50 an hour.
"They pay (a bonus of) $2000 each month you stay with them, so that could be anywhere between six and 10 thousand dollars," she said.
"So annually, my $51.50 would be approximately $112,000, and with my bonuses, it might be another 10, so $122,000 for my first year."
"When employed directly with the mining company itself every full year, they pay you a bonus also.
"Which I think is approx $3000 each year, and then if the company itself does well, I think they pay you a bit of a profit share."
However, FIFO workers' can pay with their mental health, with a 2024 survey finding those in WA's mining industry experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviours at three times the rate than the average Australian.
The University of Western Australia (UWA) and MATES in Construction study surveyed more than 1,743 construction workers in WA.
It found employees in FIFO roles were at a significantly increased risk of psychological distress compared to workers at fixed locations.
About 2.4 per cent of FIFO workers had attempted suicide in the past 12 months, compared to 0.3 per cent of the general population.
They also experienced loneliness, bullying and work-life conflict, often with reduced support from supervisors, colleagues, and family.