Have you ever thought about traveling across the world, working in a remote location and making some great money doing it? If so, then you’re in the right place.
This is my full guide on how to land FIFO jobs on a working holiday visa in Australia.
So let’s skip the small talk and get right to it!
What are FIFO Jobs?
FIFO jobs are temporary “fly-in, fly-out” jobs located in remote areas of Australia. Workers will go there for a period of time and live on-site at various construction and mining projects.
The work is hard, but you get paid very well. It’s becoming an increasingly popular work-lifestyle for many expats and workers looking to gain valuable experience, travel and build new skills.
The work is short-term and jobs usually operate on a roster schedule, such as 8/6 (working 8 eight days straight followed by 6 days off).
But to legally work in Australia, you’ll need the right documents. And that’s where getting a working holiday visa for FIFO jobs comes in.
Recommended: FIFO Mining 101 | The Starter Guide
What is a Working Holiday Visa in Australia?
There are many many different types of visas in Australia, but a working holiday visa is a short-term visa that lets you work, study and travel to and from Australia as much as you’d like.
Here are some key things to know about a working holiday visa:
- Purpose. This visa lets you stay in Australia for up to 12 months (as a worker) and allows you to pursue short-term work opportunities, such as FIFO.
- Requirements. You must be a valid passport holder, 18-30 years of age (35 years old for some countries) and not be accompanied by dependent children.
- Types of working holiday visas. You can get a first, second or third working holiday visa. Review the requirements for each one.
- Cost. A working holiday visa in Australia costs $650.00AUD.
As a FIFO worker, you’ll likely be working short-term jobs. So a working holiday visa is pretty standard.
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How to get a Working Holiday Visa in Australia: The FIFO Route
Ready to start your working holiday journey as a FIFO worker? Perfect. Here’s the basic process and steps you’ll need to follow.
Prepare
Before you do anything, you’ll need to get a few items in order. Like Seneca said, “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.”
This is what good preparation means for FIFO work:
- Make a great resume. Your resume is incredibly important. It’s often the first impression you make, so be sure it’s fully optimized and looks professional. Working with a recruiter like W1N W1N is a smart way to ensure everything is fine-tuned perfectly.
- Research. Study up on terms, requirements, available certifications and the types of FIFO jobs out there. The better you get to know the FIFO industry now, the less surprised you’ll be moving forward.
- Get certifications. For most on-site jobs, you’ll need at least a white card. But depending on the job you’re applying for, you may consider getting other certifications too (like confined spaces or working at heights).
- Set your expectations. Finding a job, getting hired, training and actually starting work all take time. And the processing for a working holiday visa can take up to 6 weeks. So it’s important to stay patient and set realistic timelines.
Recommended: How to Find FIFO Jobs: Career Advice & More
Apply
Once you know you’re prepared with proper qualifications and an updated resume, it’s time to start looking for jobs and apply.
You can use sites like seek or Indeed to start your search. And the application process depends on where you apply and who you go through. But you can expect a video interview, pre-employment medical and drug screening tests and various paperwork.
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when applying for a FIFO role:
- Don’t settle for bad job offers or companies with questionable reviews
- Apply to the most relevant jobs based on your experience, goals and skills
- Make a list of every job you apply to so you can stay organized
- Apply to more than one job – the more lines you have in the water, the better
- Have some work references ready to go in case you’re asked
- Follow up on the jobs that you’re most interested in
- Work with a recruiter like W1N W1N and take the stress out of the whole process
Get Your Working Holiday Visa
To work in Australia, you’ll need a working holiday visa. So here’s the basic process:
- Meet the requirements. Have a valid passport, be between 18-30 years of age, have a clean criminal record and have proof of at least $5,000AUD in your bank account.
- Prepare documents. You’ll need a copy of your passport, birth certificate, bank statement, proof of a return flight ticket home and a background check.
- Make an ImmiAccount. You can apply for your working holiday visa online after starting an ImmiAccount.
- Pay the application fee and wait for approval. Once you pay and send in your application, you’ll just need to wait. This can take up to 6 weeks, so stay patient during this time.
Your FIFO employer can help guide you during this process. So be sure to ask any questions you may have during the interviewing process.
Alternatively, you can work with a qualified recruiter like W1N W1N to have someone guide you through every step of the process.
Fly In to Work!
After you get a job and your visa is approved, you’ll be ready to fly in and start working!
Your company should provide you some essentials items (like a hard hat), but you’ll need to also bring a few things with you, such as:
- Steel-toe boots
- Hi Vis work pants
- A water bottle and food containers
- Extra clothing
Is Working a FIFO Job in Australia on a Working Holiday Visa Right for You?
FIFO work has a lot of benefits, such as an attractive work-life balance, free food and accommodations, travel experience and new skills gained.
But it’s not for everyone. The FIFO lifestyle is a unique one, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into beforehand.
So do you think you have what it takes to be a FIFO worker? If you’ve made it this far, I think you do. But let’s pull everything together.
Here are some key traits of a successful FIFO worker:
- Work ethic. To be successful in the FIFO industry, you need to be hard working. The type of work you’ll be doing is demanding – both physically and mentally.
- Personality. Resilience, optimism, focus and a thick skin are key traits of a successful FIFO worker.
- Skills. Many FIFO jobs require specialized skills. This is most relevant if you’re going for advanced roles, such as in maintenance, operations or production work.
- Experience. You can get a FIFO job without experience, but if you have relevant qualifications, this will give you a serious let up.
- Certifications. Certifications, or ‘tickets’, are required for many jobs. These prepare you for operating heavy machinery and being on a construction site. Breight Group offers many affordable courses, which can be done online.
Don’t stress too much if you can’t check off every item above, especially for things related to skills or experience. Remember, everyone starts as a beginner.
If you have the right attitude, are resilient and a hard worker, that can be more valuable than any certification.
Wrapping Up
Getting a FIFO job on a working holiday visa in Australia is becoming increasingly popular. This is a unique work lifestyle that gives you the opportunity to travel, gain valuable skills and make great money while doing it.
To get started, you’ll want to get your documents in order (such as your resume and your passport) and then look for some jobs to apply to.
Applying for a working holiday visa is pretty straightforward and something you can do online with an ImmiAccount. But working through a recruiter makes the whole process (from creating a resume to getting a job and a visa) way simpler and less stressful.
But however you get there, FIFO mining jobs and working short-term in Australia is an amazing opportunity. You just need a little planning, the right mindset and some patience.
