Latest news with #Ashlea
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
FIFO workers in Australia reveal their extraordinary salaries, with some expats saving hundreds of thousands to buy property back home
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.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Warning over campground mistake after horror accident leaves daughter with burns
An Aussie mum is urging others to be mindful of the dangers of campfires after an Easter weekend camping trip ended in disaster for her family. Ashlea Hodder was packing up her campsite on Sunday after spending the long weekend with friends and family when she asked her children to look out for koalas while they packed up their area. A short time later, she heard her daughter Coral scream out — the seven-year-old had inadvertently stepped onto the remnants of another group's fire at Keelbottom Creek near Mingala, west of Townsville. The little girl dropped to the ground in searing pain and in doing so, burned her hands as well. The youngster, whose birthday is next week, now faces a long road to recovery from her third-degree burns. "We told the kids to go and explore and [my daughter] walked straight through the fire," Ashlea told Yahoo News. The mum raced to her aid and recalled the gut-wrenching feeling of finding her child "screaming" in pain. "I was so overwhelmed, I didn't know what to do," she said. The family dropped everything and raced her to the nearest hospital, which was over an hour away. Coral suffered third-degree burns on her right foot and her fingers, and the family now has an anxious wait to see if she needs to have skin grafts. Seasoned camper Ashlea has hit out at the neighbouring campsite who "left their fire" still simmering. "It's common sense to put out your fire," she told Yahoo News, adding that she's been left "angry and upset" at the ordeal. "It could have happened to anyone, or it could have caused a bushfire." She pointed out the campsite was "right next" to a creek and the water could have been used to put out the fire. "My kids know not to touch or go anywhere near the fire," she said. 😳 Caravan driver's 'scary' act exposes problem on Aussie roads 🏕️ Camper's gruesome injuries lead to warning ahead of Easter 🚐 Campers warned over $110,000 fine Ashlea said Coral is in "a lot of pain" and the ordeal has been "very traumatising" for the young girl. "She said she doesn't want to go camping again and has called herself stupid because she didn't look where she was going," the mum said. "I've told her that it's not her fault. It could have happened to anyone." While Ashlea concedes her daughter was barefoot at the time, she believes her children deserve the opportunity to "be kids and get dirty". "Just make sure you put out your fires with water, don't stomp them out or cover them with sand, take extra water with you because you never know what's going to happen," she urged other campers. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
