Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) jobs in Australia are known for their high pay, uncommon timetables, and the promise of financial freedom. But behind the high pay are stories of hard work, anxiety, courage, and, in some cases, life-changing problems. Here is a real look at FIFO life in Australia, from six-figure success stories to unfair firings and real mental health problems.
1- Jamie-Lee Corless-Crane
The $200,000 Gold Mix-Up Perth-based pit technician Jamie-Lee Corless-Crane began working at Aurenne’s Mt Ida mine site near Menzies with a $100,000 annual salary. She was in charge of making sure that excavator operators mined the right spot and that gold-bearing ore was processed correctly.
But in January 2025, the geology department made a mistake while they identified something, and 54 ounces of gold, worth about $200,000, went to waste. She trusted her more experienced colleagues, although the paperwork she got was wrong.
The company said she didn’t do her “due diligence” and fired her. The Fair Work Commission (FWC), on the opposite hand, said that she had been unfairly fired. Deputy President Melanie Binet said the decision was “harsh, unfair, and unreasonable” because:
- The loss started before her shift began.
- During the day, more experienced staff missed the mistake.
- The surveyors who were in charge only got a written warning.
Being fired was very hard on her individually since she was a single mother and took care of her grandparents. She received more than $30,000, which is the same as 16 weeks’ pay, but she has had issues becoming other FIFO jobs since then.
2- Ashlea – The $120,000-a-year dump truck driver who is living her dream
Ashlea is only twenty-six years old and works FIFO as a dump truck driver in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She works 14 days on and 14 days off, so she only works half the year but still makes about $120,000.
She started out causing $36.50 an hour and earned about $94,000 in her first year. A change in vendors raised her hourly rate to $51.50, and she also got a $2,000 monthly bonus for staying with her employer. She can make even more money with extra annual bonuses along with potential profit shares.
Ashlea travels the world during her long breaks. She has been to places like Finland, Paris, and Bali. She recently bought the Mercedes convertible she had on her vision board for six years. She shares her FIFO lifestyle with her 81,500 TikTok followers.
Her simple advice is to do what makes you happy and enjoy the magic of life.
3- Lachie Samuel – From Making a Lot of Money to assisting People with Mental Health Issues
Lachie moved to Perth from New Zealand when he was 19 and began working in the FIFO mining industry. He generated a lot of money, between $3,000 and $5,000 a week, but he also felt very alone.
At first, FIFO life was a mix of 12-hour shifts, going to the gym, and consuming long nights at the pub. But people didn’t discuss their mental health issues frequently, either his or his friends’.
A personal crisis in 2013, when his partner tried to kill himself, set off a downward spiral. Lachie dealt with it by working more hours, remaining away from home, and eventually acting swiftly at work, which made him quit.
He attempted to murder himself after losing his relationship, his financial stability, and his identity as a father. He had to rebuild for his daughter’s sake after heading through the ordeal.
He went back to FIFO for three years to pay off debts, but in the end he quit and told his boss he didn’t want to live anymore.
Lachie now runs a FIFO mental health group and works with mining companies like Rio Tinto. He also tells workers to think about why they want a FIFO job in the first place. He talks openly about the extent to which the camp conditions are and how men endure prejudice for having mental health problems. He wants people to have conversations that make them feel seen and understood.
FIFO Australia – It’s More Than Just the Money
These stories show what FIFO life is like in Australia in all its forms:
- Opportunity: make six figures, take lengthy vacations, and reach your financial goals quickly.
- Challenge: a lot of stress at work, being by itself, and on occasion receiving treatment unfairly.
- Not every story ends well, and mental health issues and job instability are real risks.
FIFO jobs may alter your life, but you need to be strong, flexible, and have good support systems. Before you enter the FIFO world, you need to know what it’s truly like behind the headlines, whether you’re drawn in by the pay, the schedule, or the adventure.
