Women in Mining Australia: FIFO Facts, Resources & Tips

Workers from around the globe flock to Australia to take advantage of the exciting opportunities in FIFO (fly in, fly out) mining. But one topic that’s sometimes overlooked is representation in the industry.

As you likely already know, mining isn’t just for men. But according to Harvard Business Review, women’s progress in the mining industry has been particularly slow compared to other industries. And a 2022 report by Women in Mining shares that women’s participation in mining is still less than 14% of the total workforce, globally.

So we definitely have some work to do.

I’m writing this guide as a way to help spread awareness, share key insights and inspire more progress in the industry. And I’ve also included my top tips for landing a quality FIFO job at the end of this article.

I would also suggest listening to women in mining who explain their experiences on site on my podcast. We had the lovely Ciara who delved into her story from moving from Ireland to Australia to change her life and working in a FIFO role.

I also had Cal on the podcast who although not a woman explains some of the challenges faced by women on site in part 2 of his Podcast episode.

So let’s wrap up this chit chat and get to it then!

Women in Mining in Australia: The State of Gender Equality

According to Women and the Mine of the Future: Global Report, equal representation in mining is improving slightly but still has a long way to go. Here are some key findings:

Poor job representation. Women only represent 9-25% of the large-scale mining workforce. Additionally, many roles (such as leadership or positions requiring technical expertise) are underrepresented by women while others (such as admin or support services) are overrepresented. Even small-scale mining operations (which have more equal gender representation) have unfair pay and marginalisation issues.
Job security. Women often face increased vulnerability to losing their jobs during economic downturns compared to men, who may feel more secure in the stability of their positions.
Retention differences. Women tend to leave mining positions earlier compared to men, often due to non-inclusive working conditions and a lack of growth opportunities.
Pay gap. Despite often attaining higher education in the mining industry, many women on large-scale mining operations tend to work fewer hours on average and receive a lower wage.

Challenges for Women in Mining

Besides experiencing a lack of representation (working in a male-dominated industry), women also face many of the same challenges as men, such as:

Maintaining relationships back home

Dealing with long working hours

Managing family life while away

Physical and mental stress

On top of these shared challenges, many women also report experiencing difficulty in:

Opportunity and pay gaps

Discrimination or harassment

Community living and a lack of privacy

A feeling of having to prove themselves

Specific types of jobs where women are underrepresented

Coping with male-dominated minesite behaviour and infrastructure

It’s worth highlighting again that there is progress being made for more gender equality. For example, at the South Flank iron ore (operated by BHP), women represent 40% of the on-site crew and 4 out of the 6 senior managers in leadership (via this 2023 article)

So again, tides are changing. But we still have a lot of work to do and I’m committed to do what I can to support this progress by sharing stories on the podcast and on the blog.

Why is There a Problem With Gender Equality in Mining?

FIFO mining as a job has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with mindset, endurance and expectations. So why is there such a gap in the industry’s representation?

Factors like systemic issues, a lack of adequate resources for women interested in mining and a need for more education and awareness all contribute to the gender equality problem in mining.

But another barrier (according to this report) is pushback from some men who feel they are being disadvantaged by the need to correct past discrimination of women, and claim women are “uninterested” or “unable” to perform the work.

As you can see, the issue is likely multi-faceted. But continuing to push forward and share this information helps to erode barriers and supports a brighter, more diverse mining future.

The Importance of Gender Equality in the FIFO Mining Industry

You likely already know about the importance of gender equality. But here are some of the specific benefits of having more diversity in the FIFO mining industry:

Improves innovation in leadership roles
Boosts creativity and problem-solving
Improves performance on site
Increases productivity and profits
Fosters more inclusivity on site and in the industry
Reduces employee turnover
Inspires future generations of talent
Strengthens the reputation of the industry and individual companies
Breaks down old systems and barriers, driving more growth and innovation

Resources for Women in Mining

It’s always helpful to know you’re not alone. Luckily, when it comes to starting and growing your FIFO career as a woman, there are some great resources available. Here are some key ones to know.

Intergovernmental Forum (IGF)

The IGF on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Sustainability Development is committed to gender equality and has many helpful resources and reports on the topic. They do a great job of gathering data, spreading awareness and educating.

You can explore their gender equality page for more information and resources for women in mining.

Women in Mining and Resources Australia (WIMARA)

WIMARA works to improve the recruitment and retention of more women in the minerals and resources industry in Australia. They offer many helpful resources, research and partnership programs to support both individual women in mining and industry leaders.

Women in Mining WA (WIMWA)

WIMWA is focused on cultivating opportunity and equality for women in the mining industry. They offer a professional mentorship program and various networking events to support women’s career growth and development.

Women in Mining (WIM)

WIM is a US-based organisation. They’re committed to building a future where mining operations are more equitable, diverse and reputable.

They challenge misconceptions in the industry, advocate for inclusiveness and empower members through networking and professional development. Their hope is to inspire future generations of miners and cultivate greater diversity in future talent.

Landing a FIFO Job: My Top Tips

Set Realistic Expectations

FIFO work is both physically and mentally demanding. So it helps to set realistic expectations and know exactly what you’re getting into. While each type of FIFO job has its own nuances, here are some things to keep in mind:

Roster schedules. FIFO work operates on a roster schedule. For example, working 8 days on and 6 days off (8 & 6).
Job opportunities. Many jobs require advanced training or experience. But many entry-level positions (like utility services) are more competitive – so remember to stay patient and keep applying!
Pay and savings. The average FIFO salary is around $58/hour (or $114,000 AUD per year). But keep in mind that some positions pay less if you’re new and you may have additional costs prior to starting work too, such as certifications or getting a working holiday visa.
Long hours. While FIFO work gives you a nice work-life balance with plenty of time off, you can expect to work 12-hour days when you are rostered on.

Get Some Tickets

Tickets are certifications required to perform certain duties, operate certain equipment and work on a construction or mining site.

For many roles, a basic white card is required just to be on-site in Australia. But getting some other tickets can boost your resume and chances of landing a better, high-paying job (before you do check out my Podcast with Alana from W1N W1N and Cal). Here are some common certifications to consider getting:

Working at heights
Confined spaces
Scaffolding
Rigging
Forklift license
Dogging license

Get Some Experience

Similar to getting certifications is getting some experience. If you’re serious about the FIFO mining life, you may consider grabbing an internship or entry-level position on a construction site to gain valuable experience and boost your chances of getting hired for a FIFO role.

Here are some examples and tips on how to get relevant experience:

Find entry-level work with heavy machinery and/or mining
Work a shift-based job (similar to a roster schedule)
Work in a trade to gain construction site experience
Volunteer or intern in a FIFO-like work environment
Network with other mining/industry professionals

Make a Great Resume

Your resume is often your first impression. So making it good is critical. Simple actions like spell-checking and personalising the content are a great starting point. But here are some more tips to really make a great FIFO resume:

Highlight all relevant experience and/or skills

Include FIFO and job-specific keywords

Customise each resume to the company and position

Include relevant soft skills (like being a team player and optimistic)

Emphasise your commitment to safety and compliance

Gather references beforehand

Highlight willingness to learn

Work With a Recruiter

Want to know the secret to finding the best job offers (without the stress)? It’s working with a recruiter.

A good FIFO mining recruiter will work on your behalf to find, negotiate and get you the best jobs possible. They have network connections and know exactly what hiring managers are looking for. So it’s definitely a smart move if you’re serious about FIFO mining.

My top recruiter recommendation is W1NW1N. They have extensive experience and will work with you directly to ensure you land a great job.

I’m optimistic about the future of mining and gender equality. And I hope this post provided some insights and inspiration.

So I guess there’s only one question left to ask: Are you ready to support this future and start your FIFO journey?