What to pack for your first FIFO swing
In short
- Your employer usually supplies uniforms and PPE. Boots usually aren’t supplied, though some employers reimburse them.
- Wear your uniform and boots on the plane. Keep the must-haves in your 7 kg carry-on in case your bag is late.
- Easy to forget: crib containers and cutlery, enough socks and underwear for a full wash cycle, thongs, and a power bank.
- Check the bag allowance on the flight ticket you’re sent: charter flights set their own, sometimes two lighter bags instead of one.
Before you pack: check these
- Your flight ticket. The bag allowance usually comes with the plane ticket sent to you. On FIFO charters it's set for your employer's flights, not the airline's normal rules.2
- What's supplied. Uniform and PPE usually are; boots usually aren't (see below).
- Roster or shutdown. It changes whether you can leave gear on site (see below).
What your employer usually supplies
Under work health and safety law in most of Australia (WA's version is regulation 44), the business directing your work must provide the personal protective equipment (PPE) your job needs, in a size that fits you. If you're hired through labour hire, the labour hire company may provide it instead.1,7 Mine sites can have extra rules under their state's mining safety laws.
What's usually supplied
- Usually supplied: uniform (overalls, or shirt and pants depending on your role; scaffolders usually wear overalls), gloves, hard hat, safety glasses, earplugs and a harness.
- Isolation locks: usually handed out each swing and returned at the end, or you can buy your own personal set.
- Boots usually aren't supplied. Some companies reimburse part of the cost (often around $100), some pay in full.
- Bring your own: trade tools where your trade needs them. Scaffolders, for example, bring their own tool belt and tools.
Your bags: carry-on and checked
Carry-on is usually 7 kg on the airlines FIFO workers fly with (for example Alliance and Skippers).2,3 Your checked allowance depends on your employer's charter, and it's usually on the plane ticket sent to you. Check it before you buy a bag.
Packing tips
- Wear your uniform and boots on the flight. On some sites you go straight from the airstrip to work, and it saves a lot of weight and space.
- Pack your carry-on as if your checked bag won't turn up. Bags get delayed. Keep toiletries, laptop, chargers and one set of normal clothes in it.
- Checked bag: a big duffel works: put your tool bag in the middle and pack work clothes, overalls and socks around it. It gets heavy and awkward to carry, so a wheeled duffel with a handle is much easier.
- Bag limits differ by airline. Qantas and Virgin flights often allow one checked bag of around 21 kg. Smaller charter operators such as Alliance and Skippers may want gear split into two bags of about 10 kg each, for weight balance on the plane. Always check the allowance on your own ticket; these change.
Power banks and spare lithium batteries go in your carry-on, never your checked bag. That's a CASA rule, and airlines can be stricter.4
The packing checklist
Wear on the plane
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Your work uniform and boots | On some sites you go straight from the plane to work. It also saves space and weight in your bags. |
Carry-on (7 kg)
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Toiletries | Your must-haves if your checked bag is late. |
| Phone charger and cable | Easy to forget, pricey to replace on site. |
| Power bank | Must go in carry-on, never checked. Handy on slow days. |
| Laptop or tablet, headphones | Electronics belong in carry-on. |
| One set of normal clothes | For the mess, and in case your checked bag goes missing. |
| Medication and glasses | Bring enough for the whole swing, plus a little extra. |
Checked bag
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Socks and underwear for one full wash cycle | Count them (see below). Pack more than you think. |
| Spare work uniforms | If they are issued to you before you fly. |
| Gym clothes and shoes | If you train. Most camps have a gym. |
| Thongs (flip-flops) | For walking around camp and going for a feed. |
| Crib containers and your own cutlery | To pack your lunch from the mess. |
| Drink bottle or small esky | Some sites supply eskies. |
| A small stash of washing powder | Usually supplied, but it can run out. |
| Plasters / bandages | For light scrapes. A full first aid kit isn’t needed. |
| Your own tools, if your trade needs them | Scaffolders bring their own tool belt and tool bag. |
How many socks and undies? Do the maths
Example
Pack enough to last one full wash cycle. With 3–4 sets of overalls and 3–4 sets of gym clothes, that's 6–8 pairs of socks and underwear. Take a few more to be safe.
Roster vs shutdown: what stays on site
Roster vs shutdown
- On a roster you'll usually get a lockable wardrobe or locker on site, so your tools and work gear stay there between swings and you fly home with just your carry-on.
- On shutdowns you take everything with you each time, because your next shutdown is often at a different site.
Camp life: what's useful to know
- Meals are included. You pack your own crib (lunch) from the mess, which is why containers and cutlery matter. At most sites, hot dinner food stays in the mess. More in the free camp life lesson.
- Laundry: camps usually have laundries and washing powder, but supplies can run out. A small backup stash helps.
- Wifi and phone: Telstra covers most sites. Many camps have wifi, but it can crawl when everyone finishes work in the evening. Download shows and music before you fly.
- Your room isn't fully private: cleaners and others may come in, so keep it tidy.
- The camp shop sells most things, but often at two to three times normal prices. Bring the basics.
Alcohol at camp: the limits are real
Many camps have a wet mess (bar), and each site sets its own rules. In WA, the mining industry guideline, adopted by Chamber of Minerals and Energy members in 2022, caps accommodation residents at four drinks in 24 hours. It bans shots and doubles, and requires low and mid-strength options.5
Most sites track it with your site card at the wet mess. As a rough guide, that's around four mid-strength beers, or two full-strength wines or seltzers, but the exact rules vary by site.
Expect alcohol and drug testing at work, sometimes on arrival. Your employer's policy, which you'll get before you fly, sets the rules.
What not to bring
- Anything bulky on your first swing (consoles, weights, your own pillow). See what the room has first. You can bring more next time.
- A full first aid kit. The site has first aid. A few plasters for scrapes is enough.
- Things your employer supplies. Check the list before you buy PPE.
The "don't forget" list
Top 3
- Toiletries
- Charging cable (and a power bank)
- Crib containers and your own cutlery
Questions
What should I pack for my first FIFO swing?
Wear your uniform and boots on the plane. In your carry-on: toiletries, chargers, a power bank, medication, electronics and one set of normal clothes. In your checked bag: enough socks and underwear for a full wash cycle, gym gear, thongs, crib containers with cutlery, and a little washing powder. Your employer usually supplies the PPE.
How much luggage can you take on a FIFO flight?
Carry-on is usually 7 kg. Checked baggage on FIFO charters is set for your employer’s flights, and the allowance usually comes with the plane ticket you’re sent. Some charter operators ask you to split your gear into two lighter bags for weight balance.
What bag is best for FIFO?
A big duffel works but gets heavy to carry. A wheeled duffel with a handle is easier. If your charter wants two lighter bags, take two smaller ones instead of one big one.
Do FIFO companies supply boots?
Usually not. Some employers reimburse part of the cost (often around $100) and some pay in full. Uniforms and PPE such as gloves, hard hat, safety glasses and earplugs are usually supplied.
Do I need to bring food to a FIFO camp?
No. Meals are included at the mess, and you pack your own lunch (crib) from the mess. Bring crib containers and cutlery to do that. Hot dinner food usually has to stay in the mess.
Is there alcohol at FIFO camps?
Many camps have a wet mess (bar) with limits. In WA, a 2022 industry guideline caps camp residents at four drinks in 24 hours, with no shots or doubles. Elsewhere, limits are set by your site or camp. Sites usually track drinks with your site card.
Is there wifi at FIFO camps?
Many camps have wifi, but it can slow right down when everyone finishes work in the evening. Download shows and music before you fly. Telstra covers most sites.
Sources
- WA Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022, reg 44: business must provide personal protective equipment (the same rule is in the national model WHS Regulations used by most states)
- Alliance Airlines: baggage information (FIFO allowances set with the client; 7 kg carry-on)
- Skippers Aviation: baggage (7 kg cabin bag; allowances vary by route and aircraft)
- CASA: Pack Right, Safe Flight, lithium batteries and power banks
- Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA: Industry Alcohol Guideline (2022)
- Linkforce: FIFO mining jobs, what to expect (camp facilities and meals)
- Safe Work Australia: Mining. Mine safety is regulated by each state and territory, under its own laws
General information only. Rosters, pay and rules depend on your employer, your agreement and your site. Your contract and site induction come first.