Mining & FIFO Pay Guide — Salaries, Rosters & Take-Home Pay

Average Mining Salaries by Role

Mining salaries in Australia are significantly higher than the national average of approximately $98,000. The combination of remote location, physically demanding work, and specialised skills drives salaries well above $100,000 for most roles. The table below shows typical annual salary ranges for common mining positions, including base salary and typical overtime or allowances.

These figures reflect total packages including base salary, overtime, and site-specific loadings. The Pilbara region in Western Australia and the Bowen Basin in Queensland consistently offer the highest pay due to labour shortages and high commodity prices. Use the Average Salary Australia page to compare mining pay against other industries.

How FIFO Rosters Affect Pay

FIFO rosters determine how many days you spend on-site versus at home, and directly affect your total earnings. The most common roster structures in Australian mining are:

• 2 weeks on / 1 week off (2/1): The most common roster. Workers spend 14 days on-site followed by 7 days off. This "even time" roster means you work approximately 243 days per year and maximises earning potential.
• 8 days on / 6 days off (8/6): A popular roster offering better work-life balance. Workers spend 8 days on-site followed by 6 days at home, working approximately 209 days per year.
• 4 days on / 3 days off (4/3): Common for drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) roles closer to regional centres. Workers spend 4 days on-site and 3 days at home, working approximately 208 days per year.

Pay structures vary between annualised salary (a flat amount regardless of hours worked) and hourly rate plus overtime. Annualised salaries are simpler but may not compensate for extra hours. Hourly-plus-overtime arrangements can significantly increase total earnings — a 12-hour shift at time-and-a-half for overtime hours can add $20,000–$40,000 per year above the base salary. Use the Overtime Pay Calculator to model your specific roster and hourly rate.

FIFO Allowances

FIFO workers receive several allowances on top of their base salary that can significantly increase total remuneration. Understanding these allowances is important for calculating your true take-home pay.

Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA)

LAFHA compensates FIFO workers for the additional costs of living away from their usual place of residence. It covers food and accommodation expenses incurred while on-site. LAFHA can be tax-free if the worker maintains a home elsewhere and the allowance is paid under a structured arrangement that meets ATO requirements. Typical LAFHA amounts range from $50 to $100 per day on-site, adding $7,000–$14,000 per year in tax-free income on a 2/1 roster.

Travel Allowance

Most FIFO employers cover the cost of flights between the worker's home city and the mine site. Where flights are not provided directly, a travel allowance of $200–$500 per swing may be paid. This allowance is generally taxable unless the employer books and pays for travel directly, in which case it is a fringe benefit to the employer rather than assessable income to the worker.

Accommodation Provided

On-site accommodation is typically provided free of charge by the employer. This includes a room in a mining camp or village with meals, laundry, and recreational facilities. Because the employer provides this as a condition of employment (the worker cannot perform the role without being on-site), it is generally not treated as a fringe benefit for tax purposes.

Tax for Mining & FIFO Workers

Mining and FIFO workers pay income tax on the same marginal tax brackets as all other Australian employees. However, there are specific tax considerations that FIFO workers should understand.

Zone Tax Offset — Key Change for FIFO Workers

The zone tax offset provides a tax reduction for people who live in remote or isolated areas of Australia. Zone A provides an offset of $338, Zone B provides $57, and special areas within these zones provide additional amounts up to $1,173.

Fly-In Deductions

FIFO workers generally cannot claim the cost of travel between their home and the airport, or between the airport and the mine site, as a tax deduction. The ATO treats this as ordinary commuting, even though the distances involved are much larger than a typical commute. However, workers required to carry bulky tools or equipment may be able to claim vehicle expenses for the home-to-airport leg. Deductions for work-related protective clothing, tools, union fees, and self-education remain available. See the Tax Deductions Guide for a full list of claimable items.

Take-Home Pay on a Mining Salary

A mining worker earning $150,000 per year pays approximately $38,717 in income tax (including the Medicare levy) for FY2025-26, leaving a take-home pay of approximately $111,283 per year, or $4,280 per fortnight. Adding tax-free LAFHA of $10,000 per year brings the effective take-home to approximately $121,283.

Superannuation at 12% adds another $18,000 on top of the $150,000 gross salary, bringing the total remuneration package to $168,000. Use the Take-Home Pay Calculator to model your exact mining salary, including overtime and allowances, and see your after-tax position for FY2025-26.

Frequently Asked Questions