Anyone working in the Mines FIFO?? Whats it really like?

[Guest chezzle]

Hubby is contemplating taking a job in the mines..naturally we have our concerns so would love to hear from anyone whos doing or has done it in the past? Pros and Cons greatly appreciated thanks x

[verystormy]

I work fifo and have for some years. Previously i worked in head office and could have stayed there but far prefer the fifo lifestyle. It very much depends on what roster he will be doing as to the pros and cons. Here we work 8:6, which means i am away 7 nights and home 7 nights. This, we find is far better than a regular job as the quality time we have together is far better. When i was monday to friday, the weekends were just too short to do a lot. I found that Saturday was mainly spent recovering from the week. Now, i get home thursday evening, relax friday but then have till the following thursday to do things and go places.

The down side is that my wife doesnt know many people in Perth and can feel a bit isolated.

[Guest mw1977]

I am coming to Perth on a FIFO type situation in oct/nov this year

 

Can you recommend any groups that my wife will like/enjoy

[verystormy]

Firstly, we are down in Mandurah, so cant recomend anything for Perth, but down there my wife goes to a lot of arts and craft groups. There are a lot of sports clubs as well.

There is a organisation to support her called fifo families http://www.fifofamilies.com.au/

Might be worth a look at.

Where are you planning on living? There are a lot of fifo people around Mandurah and you get a lot more house for your money and good beaches. As you dont have to go to the city every day for work it is a good location. Airport is about an hour away.

[Guest beka n anto]

hi, my oh is looking to work in the mines, he is a scaffolder and a banks man/crane driver, can you tell me do you know if it would be hard for him to get work in the mines???

[verystormy]

hi, my oh is looking to work in the mines, he is a scaffolder and a banks man/crane driver, can you tell me do you know if it would be hard for him to get work in the mines???

 

Not too sure on this one. I work in gold mining and we do not use cranes. However, the iron ore companies may. His best bet would be to look on the major web sites seek.com and infomine.com

 

If he was looking to do more general work such as truck driving (you only require a car licence) or labouring then have a look at Barrminco who are underground miners and Downer EDI for surface mining, though surface mining usually require experience.

[Guest nana2two]

I am coming to Perth on a FIFO type situation in oct/nov this year

 

Can you recommend any groups that my wife will like/enjoy

Hi Nothing to do with FIFO but just to say I go to a social group called Mandurah says G'Day, we meet at Sharkys restraunt at Dolphin Quay every Thursday at 10am & also do lots of social things as well. We are a very friendly crowd & have quite a few FIFO other half's. Barbara

[Guest beka n anto]

thanks a mill guys this info really helps...well every little!!!

[Guest ang]

hi was wondering if you wanted a job in the mines what jobs could you apply for that did not require any previous experience

[verystormy]

hi was wondering if you wanted a job in the mines what jobs could you apply for that did not require any previous experience

 

Field assistant for exploration work, but it does tend to be a young person game and requires a fair degree of physical fitness. Drill offsider - but also tends be people under 30. I havent done open pit, but for underground Nipper which is a general dogs body and truck drivers are taken on with nothing more than a car licence.

 

Be careful though why you want it. The money isnt as good as people believe. Infact on an hourly basis it is not much better than a general labouring job anywhere. Its just that you do longer hours which builds up the pay packet. But dont expect to be earning more than about $80k a year doing 2 weeks on 1 off in entry level role and it can take a LONG time to see much of an increase. The guys who make big bucks are the ones who have stuck it out for a lot of years and most dont

[Guest Fyrish]

Firstly, we are down in Mandurah, so cant recomend anything for Perth, but down there my wife goes to a lot of arts and craft groups. There are a lot of sports clubs as well.

There is a organisation to support her called fifo families http://www.fifofamilies.com.au/

Might be worth a look at.

Where are you planning on living? There are a lot of fifo people around Mandurah and you get a lot more house for your money and good beaches. As you dont have to go to the city every day for work it is a good location. Airport is about an hour away.

 

 

Good website, haven't seen it before

[Guest ang]

thanks for the info we have read alot on the net and just got the impression that most people are in the mines earning $150 + and were kind of panacking thinking we may not be able to afford living in w/a

[verystormy]

WA is certainly an expensive place to live and you need to look at what you will be earning. There are a lot of people here who seriously struggle. House prices are incredible and things like food is about 3x the cost of the UK. If you like a drink then be prepared to pay for it. Prices for a pint in Perth can be as high as $15.