Flying to Work: Australia's FIFO Mining Life
Key Vocabulary
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| fly-in, fly-out | a work arrangement in which employees travel to a remote workplace for a period and then return home | He works on a fly-in, fly-out roster at a mine in Western Australia. |
| roster | a schedule showing when someone works and has time off | Her roster gives her a long break after several days at the mine. |
| relocate | to move permanently or for a long period to another place | FIFO work means the family does not need to relocate. |
| psychosocial risk | a workplace condition that can harm mental or social wellbeing | Isolation can become a psychosocial risk if workers lack support. |
| burnout | severe physical or emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress | Long periods of demanding work can contribute to burnout. |
Article
For thousands of Australians, commuting to work can involve an aircraft rather than a train or car. Fly-in, fly-out employment, usually shortened to FIFO, allows workers to live in one place while spending blocks of time at remote workplaces hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away. [1]
FIFO is particularly associated with mining and resource projects in Western Australia. Many mines operate far from large population centres, where a normal daily commute would be impossible. Companies can instead fly employees to a worksite, accommodate them there during their roster, and fly them home when their work period ends. [1][2]
The arrangement creates an unusual division between work life and home life. During a work block, employees may live in purpose-built accommodation near the mine and spend most of their time with colleagues. When the roster finishes, they return home for an extended period away from the workplace.
For some workers, the appeal is clear. FIFO can provide access to specialized jobs without requiring an entire family to relocate to a remote region. Longer periods away from work between rotations can also create a kind of free time that conventional Monday-to-Friday employment rarely offers.
The lifestyle can also be demanding. Separation from partners, children and friends may affect relationships, while long shifts and an isolated work environment can add pressure. Western Australian research involving more than 3,000 FIFO workers and family members identified higher psychological distress and burnout among FIFO workers than comparison groups. [3]
Those concerns have influenced workplace policy. WorkSafe Western Australia has a specific code of practice for mentally healthy FIFO workplaces in the resources and construction sectors. Its guidance includes managing psychosocial risks, supporting workers experiencing stress and creating environments that promote wellbeing. [2]
FIFO therefore offers an unusual bargain: workers can maintain a home far from the mine while accepting that work arrives in intense blocks away from ordinary life. Whether that rhythm feels liberating or exhausting may depend as much on family circumstances and personality as on the job itself.
Discussion Questions
- What type of person might enjoy FIFO work, and who might find it especially difficult?
- How would spending long blocks away from home affect your relationships and daily routines?
- What should employers provide to make remote work camps healthier places to live?
- How would you compare a FIFO schedule with a conventional five-day working week?
- How much extra pay would make working far from home worthwhile for you?
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, "Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) Workers."
- WorkSafe Western Australia, "Mentally healthy workplaces for fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers in the resources and construction sectors: Code of practice."
- Government of Western Australia, "Report calls for action to improve mental health and wellbeing in FIFO workers."