How to Get FIFO Jobs With No Experience in Australia (2025 Guide)

Australia's mining and resources sector is one of the highest-paying industries in the country, and you don't need years of experience to break in. Thousands of workers land fly-in fly-out (FIFO) jobs every year with no prior mining experience — starting on salaries most industries can't match.

This guide covers everything you need to know about getting started with FIFO work in Australia: entry-level roles, the tickets you need, what you can expect to earn, and how to build a resume that actually gets callbacks.

What Are FIFO Jobs? (Fly-In Fly-Out Explained)

FIFO stands for fly-in fly-out — a work arrangement where you fly to a remote mine site for your roster period, then fly home for your time off. Your employer covers flights, accommodation, and meals on site.

FIFO mining jobs are concentrated in some of Australia's most resource-rich regions:

• Western Australia — Pilbara (iron ore), Goldfields-Esperance (gold, nickel)
• Queensland — Bowen Basin (coal), Surat Basin (gas)
• South Australia — Olympic Dam (copper, uranium)
• Northern Territory — Various mineral and energy projects

The industry continues to grow. Major expansions across iron ore, lithium, and critical minerals mean demand for workers — especially entry-level — remains strong.

Common FIFO Rosters

Your roster determines how long you spend on site versus at home. The most common FIFO rosters include:

• 2/1 Roster — 2 weeks on site, 1 week off. The most common roster for entry-level FIFO roles.
• 8/6 Roster — 8 days on, 6 days off. Popular in coal mining and some WA operations.
• 4/3 Roster — 4 days on, 3 days off. Often for drive-in drive-out (DIDO) positions closer to regional towns.
• Even-time Rosters — 2/2 or 1/1 arrangements. Harder to get but highly sought after.

Can You Get FIFO Jobs With No Experience?

Yes — and it happens every day. Mining companies actively recruit people with no mining experience for a range of entry-level roles. What they're looking for is the right attitude, physical fitness, and a willingness to work hard in a structured environment.

These roles are the front door to the mining industry. Many operators, supervisors, and even site managers started as labourers or trades assistants.

What employers actually look for in no-experience candidates:

• Reliability — Can you turn up on time, every shift, for the full roster?
• Physical fitness — Most roles involve manual labour in hot conditions
• Safety mindset — Willingness to follow procedures without shortcuts
• Positive attitude — You'll be living and working with the same people for weeks
• Relevant tickets — Having your certifications sorted before you apply puts you ahead of most candidates

Essential Mining Tickets and Certifications

Before applying for FIFO jobs, getting your tickets sorted is the single best thing you can do. Many employers won't even look at applications without the basics.

FIFO Salary: What Can You Expect to Earn?

One of the biggest draws of FIFO work is the pay. Even entry-level mining jobs significantly outpace equivalent roles in most other industries. Here's what you can realistically expect:

• Entry-level (labourers, cleaners, kitchen hands) — $70,000–$100,000 per year
• Operators (dump truck, excavator, drill) — $100,000–$140,000 per year
• Trades (boilermaker, fitter, electrician) — $120,000–$180,000+ per year
• Supervisors and management — $150,000–$250,000+ per year

These figures include base salary plus typical penalty rates, overtime, and shift allowances. Many FIFO packages also include:

Building a Standout Mining Resume

Your resume is your first impression, and in mining recruitment it needs to hit specific marks. Recruiters and hiring managers scan hundreds of applications — you need to make yours easy to shortlist.

Focus on transferable skills from any previous work: physical labour, teamwork, working in structured environments, following safety procedures, and reliability. Even experience in hospitality, warehousing, retail, or construction translates well.

Where to Find FIFO Jobs by State

Knowing where the work is helps you target your applications. Different states have different commodities, rosters, and hiring patterns.

Western Australia

WA is the epicentre of Australian FIFO work. The Pilbara region alone employs tens of thousands of FIFO workers across iron ore operations for BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue. The Goldfields-Esperance region offers gold, nickel, and lithium mining opportunities. Most WA FIFO roles fly out of Perth.

Queensland

Queensland's Bowen Basin is Australia's largest coal mining region, with major operations from BHP, Glencore, and Anglo American. The Surat Basin is a growing hub for gas and energy projects. FIFO flights typically depart from Brisbane, Townsville, or Cairns.

South Australia and Northern Territory

SA's Olympic Dam (BHP) and Prominent Hill (OZ Minerals) offer copper, gold, and uranium mining roles. The NT has diverse mineral and energy projects with FIFO operations out of Darwin and Alice Springs.

What to Expect: Life on a FIFO Site

If you haven't worked on a mine site before, knowing what to expect helps you prepare and settle in faster.

Accommodation

Most modern FIFO camps provide:

• Single rooms with en-suite bathrooms
• Air conditioning, TV, and a small fridge
• Laundry facilities
• Wi-Fi (quality varies by site — some are excellent, others are basic)

Meals and Facilities

• All meals provided in the mess hall — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a crib (night shift meal)
• Larger sites offer multiple dining options and dietary accommodations
• Snacks, fruit, and drinks available 24/7
• Gym, recreation rooms, sports courts, and sometimes a pool

Drug and Alcohol Testing

Every mine site in Australia has a strict drug and alcohol policy. Expect:

• Pre-employment drug and alcohol screening
• Random testing throughout your employment
• Zero tolerance for alcohol on site
• Testing for a wide range of substances including prescription medications

This is non-negotiable. A failed test means immediate removal from site and likely termination.

Physical Fitness Requirements

Most FIFO roles involve physical work in hot conditions. Many employers require a pre-employment medical that includes:

• Hearing and vision tests
• Musculoskeletal assessment
• Drug and alcohol screening
• General fitness evaluation

You don't need to be an athlete, but being reasonably fit makes the work much easier — especially in your first few rosters.

Mental Health and FIFO Work-Life Balance

Being away from family and friends for extended periods is the biggest challenge most FIFO workers face. It's worth planning for this upfront:

• Stay connected — Schedule regular video calls with family and friends. Routine helps.
• Use your R&R well — Resist the urge to fill every day off with errands. Prioritise rest and quality time.
• Build a site routine — Use the gym, join social activities, and avoid spending all your downtime in your room.
• Know the support options — Most sites have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) providing free, confidential counselling. Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) are also available 24/7.

Career Progression in Mining

One of the best things about the mining industry is how quickly you can advance if you're willing to put in the work. Many of today's supervisors and site managers started in entry-level roles.

A typical progression path looks like:

1. 1
   Entry-level role — General labourer, trades assistant, or service crew. Learn site procedures, safety systems, and how mining operations work.
2. 2
   Operator or skilled role — Move into equipment operation (dump trucks, excavators, drills) or specialise in your trade. Companies often provide paid training for this transition.
3. 3
   Senior operator or leading hand — Take on more responsibility, mentor newer workers, and build your leadership skills.
4. 4
   Supervisor or superintendent — Manage teams, coordinate operations, and take ownership of safety and production outcomes.

Many companies offer structured career development including:

• Paid equipment certifications and operator training
• Leadership and management development programs
• Trade qualification completion and upgrades
• Safety qualifications (Cert IV in WHS, ICAM investigation)

Start Your FIFO Career Today

Breaking into FIFO work is more achievable than most people think. Here's your action plan:

1. 1
   Get your tickets sorted — Start with a White Card, Working at Heights, and First Aid. These can be completed in a few days and immediately make you employable.
2. 2
   Build a mining-focused resume — Highlight your certifications, transferable skills, and availability. Use our free AI resume builder to create a professional, mining-optimised resume in minutes.
3. 3
   Apply consistently — Browse FIFO job listings daily, apply to roles that match your tickets and availability, and follow up with recruiters. Persistence pays off.

The resources sector isn't slowing down, and companies are actively looking for reliable, motivated workers to fill entry-level roles. Your mining career starts with the first application.