What is FIFO? A guide to managing your fly in fly out workforce

Frequent, back-and-forth employee travel between remote worksites and their homes requires significant coordination, from booking flights and finding suitable accommodation, to managing schedules and ensuring policy compliance. 

Managing the logistics of a fly in fly out (FIFO) workforce can be challenging for even the most organised HR professional. Without adequate planning, you run the risk of operational disruptions and costly delays, not to mention stress for your travelling workers. 

In this article, we’ll start with the basics by explaining what FIFO is and how it works. We’ll then explore key strategies to help you manage the logistics and costs associated with FIFO for your business travel, all while prioritising the well-being of your teams. 

What is a fly in fly out worker? Working remotely, without relocation

Fly in fly out work is a type of arrangement where employees must commute to and from remote work sites for fixed periods of time. FIFO workers follow a schedule, or roster, where they may work long shifts for several consecutive days or weeks before flying back home for their time off. 

The fly in fly out work experience will depend greatly on the location, industry and job role. No matter the sector, becoming a FIFO worker requires a resilient nature to cope with frequent travel and long periods away from home. 

What is a FIFO job? Industries using fly in fly out workers

To gain a better understanding of the demands of FIFO travel management, here are a few industries where fly in fly out employment is common.

Mining: Countries like Peru, Indonesia and Ghana have large-scale operations requiring experienced FIFO workers to extract minerals. Typical job roles include geologists, drillers, engineers, and heavy machinery operators. In Australia, the mining sector relies heavily on FIFO contracts, with 50% of mining operations in Western Australia made up of FIFO workers, and proposed projects expected to require over 11,000 new workers by 2029. 

Oil and Gas: From natural gas fields to pipeline construction and maintenance, the oil and gas sector uses high volumes of skilled FIFO workers to facilitate projects. While Middle Eastern countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia are frequent destinations, you’ll also find growing worksites in areas like Southeast Asia and the North Sea. 

Construction: Large-scale construction projects often create FIFO job openings, particularly when building infrastructure like bridges, roads and commercial complexes. While some of these worksites are remote, urban centres like Dubai and Shanghai also require qualified tradespeople and engineers. 

Engineering and Tech Services: SMEs working in sectors like renewable energy and telecommunications often require skilled workers to fly in and provide technical services on job sites. Examples of professionals needed include electrical engineers, mechanical service providers and IT consultants.

Harnessing the multilayered benefits of FIFO for SMEs

For businesses, using the fly in fly out arrangement offers several advantages:  

• Broader recruitment: You’ll have access to a wider talent pool, recruiting skilled workers from across the country rather than limiting recruitment to nearby towns. 
• Remote project viability: When you’re managing projects in areas without a local workforce, flying in your own team ensures the project proceeds as planned. 
• Operational flexibility: It’s easier to scale your operations as needed, adjusting workforce numbers based on shifting project timelines and scope. 
• Cost efficiency: By removing the need to build permanent housing or relocate your full team, you’ll save on operational costs. 

For employees, there are also benefits to consider. 

• Maintain home ties: Without the need to relocate, workers can still spend time with their friends and family at home. It’s better for families too, who may not want to relocate and uproot their everyday lives. 
• Recovery time: Industries like mining and construction often require heavy labour, taking a toll on health and wellbeing. A fly in fly out shift schedule ensures there’s adequate time to rest and recover between shifts. 

By catering to these employee preferences, you’ll improve loyalty and retention rates while accessing the skilled labour you need. 

Understanding and rising to the challenges of FIFO

Along with the benefits, managing a FIFO workforce comes with a unique set of challenges.

Complex travel planning: While any business travel plan requires coordinating transport and accommodation, there are added layers of complexity to FIFO travel. You’ll need to consider work schedules and team continuity, while finding suitable accommodation with all the comforts of home, often in remote locations. 

Budgetary constraints: Operational costs can run high if you’re not careful, considering you must pay for contractor accommodation, meals, transport and flights. 

Employee wellbeing and safety: Long shifts, heavy work loads and time away from loved ones can lead to burnout, while industrial worksites require stringent health and safety checks. 

When planning any FIFO travel, you’re likely to run into some of these challenges, but adequate research and care will minimise their impact. 

Striking the right work-life balance: what are the risks of FIFO for workers?

Implemented carefully with adequate rest time at home, fly in fly out work creates the ideal work-life balance. Yet any time spent away from home comforts can be challenging for workers. Many FIFO employees choose to work long 12-hour shifts for several consecutive days as a trade-off for spending more days at home, which gives little time to rest.  

To help protect your employees’ well-being and foster a better work-life balance, consider offering flexible working arrangements that include adequate time off. You can also provide access to mental health resources, wellness apps that provide fitness and meditation routines, and self-care facilities.

Getting started with the planning process for FIFO travel

For a seamless fly in fly out arrangement, you’ll need to balance the needs of employee and employer. Here are the key factors to consider as part of your strategy, which will help you to overcome the challenges above.

Create a flexible FIFO schedule

FIFO schedules split employee time spent onsite and at home. These are designed to maximise onsite productivity and offsite rest time. 

Your roster might look something like this:

• 14/7: Two weeks on, one week off
• 21/7: Three weeks on, one week off
• 14/14: Two weeks on, two weeks off
• 28/7: Four weeks on, one week off

When greater lengths of time are needed onsite, this is usually for roles requiring longer travel times, such as offshore oil rigs. Consider the travel duration, intensity of the role, and industry standards to create your ideal roster.

Research country-specific regulations

Whether you’re arranging domestic or international FIFO travel, remember that each region will have its own rules. Be sure to research things like tax liabilities, workplace health and safety regulations, and visa requirements. 

In countries like Australia where FIFO work is common, there may be specific regulations to follow. For example, Western Australia’s Work Health and Safety Act 2020 covers codes of practice for better mental health, including response strategies and risk management. 

Choose the right accommodation

Selecting the right accommodation is important to the success of any business trip, but it’s particularly important for employees who will be spending long, frequent periods away from home. Fortunately, Tripeden.com for Business lists millions of properties to help you find the right accommodation for your team. Location comes first – not only do you want to minimise your team’s commute, but you also want hotels and apartments with swift access to major transport hubs. 

On remote construction worksites, your options may be limited. Look for conveniently located, custom-built units that come equipped with full kitchens, recreation facilities and quiet spaces to unwind. 

In suburban and urban areas, you’ll have a wider selection, including serviced apartments. These can be rented by the week or month to suit longer project lengths, and they’re fully equipped with kitchens, Wi-Fi, and separate living quarters. Many also include hotel-like services including housekeeping and gyms. 

Keep costs within budget

Managing FIFO travel involves a delicate balance between meeting employee needs and keeping within budget. 

When your team is flying back and forth every few weeks, you can imagine that the cost of airfare can quickly add up. On top of this, typical business travel expenses will include ground transfers, meals, and team-building leisure activities. Researching these ahead of time, taking past data from previous projects into account, will help you devise a more realistic budget. Then, use solutions like Tripeden.com for Business to compare car rental prices, property rentals, and business flights from a single platform, applying cost constraints for better compliance.

Your business will also need to make travel expense policies very clear. Create a list of approved and unapproved expenses, with concrete examples and approved suppliers. ‍

Provide support for travelling FIFO workers

Your FIFO travel planning doesn’t stop with booking flights and accommodation. As part of your duty of care, it’s important to create a company support network that recognizes the difficulties of spending prolonged periods away from home. What does this network look like in practice? 

Wellness initiatives: Keep travelling workers fit and healthy by providing access to healthy meals, onsite gyms, and recreational sports. 

Mental health resources: Provide FIFO workers with a toolkit they can use for emotional and mental health support. This could include virtual or in-person counselling, peer support programmes, and access to mental health apps like Headspace and Betterhelp. 

Flexible scheduling: When possible, allow FIFO employees to design their own rosters. Some may prefer working longer shifts if it means spending more days at home, while others would prefer shorter shifts with more time to relax while they’re onsite.

Two-way communication: Encourage regular check-ins with HR, managers, and family members to keep the lines of communication open while workers are away from home.

Using Tripeden.com for Business to manage FIFO travel logistics

The complexities of FIFO travel are best managed with technology. With Tripeden.com for Business, you’ll be able to gain full visibility over bookings while ensuring policy compliance. Book, view and manage travel itineraries from a single platform, while taking advantage of real-time location tracking courtesy of Traxo and streamlined travel expense management with the Expensify app. By standardizing and automating plans with SME travel solutions, your team will enjoy a more seamless, supportive experience. 

Conclusion: FIFO travel and your business

The success of FIFO travel management hinges on supporting your team at every step. You’ll need to find the best accommodation to help them thrive while onsite, while meeting well-being needs and adhering to local regulations. 

Ultimately, fly in fly out opportunities provide numerous advantages for businesses and their employees. While workers enjoy the chance to explore new destinations with flexible scheduling and paid-for perks, businesses benefit from a broad talent pool willing to work in remote locations – all without the need for permanent relocation.