FIFO refers to the practice of mining companies and other employers who operate at remote locations. Instead of moving the employee and their families to a place near work site, the companies offer employees air access to the work site, so that the employees can reside at the work place. The employees are free to take rest for specified number of days at their home town after they complete the designated work.
Since long term commitment is not involved in the fly in fly out (FIFO) work sites, portable buildings are used at the work site. The portable buildings are easy to deploy and transport to the remote locations rather than building a complete residential infrastructure. This cuts down the costs of the companies considerably. Thus, promoting the practice of FIFO jobs among the mining companies. The portable buildings are also easy to move from one place to another. Considering that mine sites are not permanent and long term work places. The mines are usually abandoned once all the minerals have been extracted from it. Thus, FIFO employment has been a beneficial practice for mining companies.
Even employees prefer FIFO employment arrangements considering that their families are often unwilling to move to small towns in remote areas. The primary reason for the unwillingness is the absence of basic residential infrastructure like educational choices, employment opportunities for the spouse and recreational facilities.
There are many FIFO jobs available in Australia, its all about having good information about how to go about this correctly the first time, especially if you are green to the industry.