FIFO job is a Fly In Fly Out job is primarily an employment arrangement whereby workers travel by air to a remote or regional worksite for a short, rotating period and fly back home at the end of that period. Made popular in Australia in the 1960s especially in Oil and Gas sector, it became popular in Mining and other industries situated in remote areas (i.e. far away from big cities and population centers) when airfares became cheap and improved industrial safety was ensured during 1980s.
With the focus on extractive industries of Australia in remote places, FIFO Jobs provide exciting opportunities for workers across the globe. The major industries in Australia employing FIFO workers are Hospitality, Healthcare, Construction, Mining, Oil and Gas. Many foreign citizens including Indians have applied for FIFO job in Australia and are earning big bucks for their work. Following a rotating schedule many people work for two weeks and go home for the next week.
Entry-level FIFO job in hospitality or cleaning may start from AUD 60,000–80,000 annually (₹3–4.5 lakh per month before tax). Skilled jobs like electricians, drillers, and engineers can earn AUD 100,000+ annually.
Advantages and Opportunities Provided by FIFO Job:
Providing excellent work life balance and salaries, all the needs for food and accommodation are taken care of by the company concerned during the working period. After working period, the employees are free to live their lives as they wish and spend their time with family and friends.
Advantages of working in a FIFO Job are the possibility of up-skilling, career advancement, networking and residency in Australia. Up-skilling in highly specialized roles such as drilling, rigging and engineering opens up other lucrative opportunities in the same company as well as elsewhere. It helps in career advancement as the experience gained at FIFO Jobs is highly prized in Australia, India and Abroad. On the job training not only opens doors in the firm but also in other firms as well.
Living in Australia provides excellent networking opportunities for foreign workers to find other jobs in Australia. FIFO jobs don’t directly grant Permanent Residency. However, the experience can help you qualify under Australia’s skilled migration visas if your occupation is in demand. Once you become Permanent Resident of Australia, it opens many doors including the right to live and work there as well as a pathway to being a citizen.
Onsite Free Amenities for FIFO Workers:
FIFO job provide top of the class worker accommodation and food. Many of the worker cabins are equipped with air-conditioners, fridges and washrooms needed for daily living. The major mode of transport from home to site and back is via air.
This provides a comfortable mode of living and provides relaxation for the day ahead in the life of a FIFO worker. The food is prepared by trained chefs and helper and there is variety of cuisines being provided in many of the FIFO worker’s mess. Also so as to avoid mishaps and contingencies, there is a dedicated healthcare infrastructure that works round the clock for worker’s welfare.
The doctors and nurses are well trained in their jobs. FIFO workers are typically allowed to sleep for 7 to 9 Hours between shifts during work period. For better understanding the sleep schedule for FIFO Jobs one must carefully read the Job Description and Employment Contract.
Requirements for FIFO Job:
There are lots of job opportunities for fresher, mid-level job aspirants and executives; with salaries dependent on job roles and experience. Despite the excellent work life balance provided by FIFO Jobs, it still requires fit and fine adults above the age of eighteen with a good health and sane mind.
Apart from health, other requirements for FIFO Job include passing a high school diploma or a vocational training certificate, There is no official bank balance requirement for FIFO jobs. Financial proof may be asked for certain visa categories, but not for employment itself. Although there is no universal age limit but the adult person should be fit and fine as per the rules of the company. There are people at the age of 55 that are working in a FIFO Job, so physical and mental health is the only bar for a FIFO job.
But nevertheless, even though there is no universal age limit for FIFO jobs in Australia for Australian citizens, Most FIFO workers are over 18. While many Australian skilled visas have an age cap of 45, FIFO jobs themselves have no strict age limit. Fitness and health matter more than age. Last but not the least, For foreign workers, proof of English proficiency (such as IELTS or PTE) is usually required as part of the visa application, not specifically for FIFO employers.
Searching for FIFO Jobs:
Before employment contract and getting a temporary or permanent Australian visa one must search for FIFO jobs. Given the benefits, the FIFO jobs are segregated based on experience, industry and requirement. The main function of FIFO jobs is to sustain resource extraction industry of Australia and also includes those jobs that help them do so.
Jobs such as Project Manager, Site Supervisor, Industrial Cleaner, Plumber, Electrician, Mining Engineer and Geologist are engaged in primary activity of resource extraction while jobs such as Chef, Kitchen Hands, Village Managers, Catering Managers, Cleaning Staff and Utility staff act as a supporters of those workers who are engaged in the primary job of resource extraction. The major websites from where one can look at all the current FIFO opportunities include INDEED AND SEEK etc.
FIFO Job Opportunities for Indians:
In summation, FIFO Jobs are an excellent opportunity for Indians to work in Australia. The major advantage of FIFO Jobs is that there are job roles for fresher, mid-level professionals and executives alike. A fresher would undergo valuable training that would not only help them gain experience in the industry of their choice but also settle in their dream country: Australia. The work life balance is excellent while the life on site is also made easier by the amenities such as accommodation and food for recreation and sleep & all that too for free.
That is when the starting salaries for a fresher start at ₹ 2.5 lakhs per month and that too with minimal education namely High School Diploma or a Vocational Training Certificate and IELTS Score band greater than 6.0 (overall and in each section). Furthermore, there are options for career advancement both in Australia and elsewhere. So what are you waiting for, apply for FIFO job now!!
Explore more information on FIFO jobs in Australia
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