What is a typical FIFO salary in Australia? How to compare offers

What is a FIFO salary?

FIFO stands for fly-in fly-out, a work arrangement common in remote mining, oil and gas, and construction sites. A FIFO salary is the pay an employee receives for working on a roster that involves flying to and from the worksite, often with accommodation and meals provided. Because FIFO roles are isolated and involve time away from home, they typically pay above standard rates.

When you read a job ad for a FIFO position, the advertised figure might be a base salary, a total package, or an hourly rate. To make sense of it, you need to compare it against a national benchmark. That's where the Salary Index comes in.

How the Salary Index helps compare FIFO offers

The Salary Index sets 100 as the national line – full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any job's index is its annual gross base salary divided by that figure, multiplied by 100. For example, a FIFO role paying $140,000 base has an index of 129 – about 29% above the national average.

But FIFO roles are concentrated in industries and states with their own benchmarks. The Mining industry index is 154.7, meaning the typical mining employee earns about 55% above the national line. Western Australia, where many FIFO sites are located, has a state index of 106.9. So a FIFO job in WA paying at the state average would be around $115,825 per year, while a job matching the mining industry average would be around $167,500.

Reading a FIFO job ad: what to look for

Job ads for FIFO roles often list a salary range or a 'package'. Here's how to break it down:

• Base salary: This is the gross ordinary-time pay before allowances, penalties, and super. Compare this to the index.
• Site allowance: Many FIFO roles include a daily or weekly allowance for working in remote or hazardous conditions. This can add $50–$200 per shift.
• Travel and accommodation: If the employer provides flights, camp accommodation, and meals, that's a non-cash benefit worth thousands per year.
• Superannuation: The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, but some employers contribute more. Check if the advertised salary includes super or is 'plus super'.
• Roster: A 2/1 or 8/6 roster means you work longer hours but have more days off. Some ads quote an annualised salary based on a 40-hour week, but actual hours may be higher.

Use the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman to check minimum rates under the relevant award. For example, the Mining Industry Award 2020 has classifications from Level 1 (entry) to Level 8 (senior trades). The minimum hourly rate for a Level 1 employee from 1 July 2026 is around $25.74, but most FIFO roles pay well above that.

State and industry context

FIFO work is not the same everywhere. The states page shows that Western Australia's index is 106.9, while Queensland (97.9) and South Australia (94.6) are lower. A FIFO job in WA may need to be higher to attract workers because the local market is stronger. Similarly, the industries page shows Mining at 154.7, but other industries like Construction (index around 110) or Oil and Gas (often covered by different awards) may have different benchmarks.

If you're comparing two FIFO offers – one in WA and one in Queensland – adjust for the state index. A $130,000 base in WA is index 120, which is above the state average. The same salary in Queensland is also index 120, but Queensland's state average is lower, so it's relatively more attractive there.

Tax and take-home pay

FIFO salaries are gross figures. For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. Add a 2% Medicare levy. So a FIFO worker earning $150,000 base would pay roughly $36,000 in tax plus $3,000 Medicare, leaving about $111,000 take-home – but that's before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

Some FIFO workers use salary sacrifice for remote area benefits or super contributions. Always check the total package, not just the base.

Awards and enterprise agreements

Most FIFO employees are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database lists minimum rates for each classification under awards like the Mining Industry Award 2020. However, large mining companies often have enterprise agreements that pay significantly more. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can help you find the correct minimum for your role.

If a job ad says 'above award', ask for the specific classification and rate. The index can then tell you how that rate compares to the national line.

Putting it together

When you see a FIFO salary in a job ad, don't take it at face value. Break it into base, allowances, and benefits. Compare the base to the national line using the how the index works page. Check the industry and state benchmarks. And remember that the index is a guide, not a promise – your actual pay depends on your award, experience, and negotiation.

FIFO work can be lucrative, but the range is wide. A labourer on a mine site might earn $80,000–$100,000 base, while a drill rig operator or heavy diesel mechanic could earn $130,000–$180,000. A supervisor or engineer might exceed $200,000. The index helps you see where any offer sits relative to the broader market.