FIFO Rosters Explained: 2/1, 8/6, 2/2 and Common FIFO Schedules

If you are new to FIFO work, roster terms like 2/1, 8/6, 2/2 or 7/7 can be confusing at first. These numbers usually explain how long you spend working on site compared with how much time you get off between swings.

Understanding FIFO rosters is important because the roster can affect your income, lifestyle, sleep, family time and whether the job is actually a good fit for you. A job may look attractive because of the pay, but the roster can make a big difference to how sustainable it feels.

In this guide, we explain common FIFO rosters in Australia, what they mean, and what to look for before applying.

FIFO Jobs in Australia

What does a FIFO roster mean?

A FIFO roster shows your pattern of work and time off. In most cases, the first number means your time working on site and the second number means your time off.

For example:

• 2/1 roster usually means 2 weeks on site and 1 week off.

• 8/6 roster usually means 8 days on site and 6 days off.

• 2/2 roster usually means 2 weeks on site and 2 weeks off.

• 7/7 roster usually means 7 days on site and 7 days off.

FIFO stands for fly-in fly-out, which means you travel to a remote worksite for your swing, then return home during your time off. In Australia, FIFO roles are common across mining, construction, energy, shutdown work, camp services, cleaning, catering, maintenance and trades.

How to get a FIFO job with no experience

Common FIFO rosters in Australia

Here are some of the most common FIFO roster patterns you may see in Australian job ads.

The same roster can also feel different depending on the role. A 2/1 roster in a physically demanding job may feel very different from a 2/1 roster in an admin or supervisory role.

What is a 2/1 FIFO roster?

A 2/1 FIFO roster usually means you work for two weeks on site, then have one week off at home.

This is one of the rosters many people associate with FIFO work. It can be common in mining, construction, trades, utility work and remote site support roles. For some workers, the appeal is that you can earn solid money while having a full week off between swings.

The downside is that you are away from home for two weeks at a time. That can be challenging if you have a partner, kids, pets, regular commitments or you simply do not enjoy being away for long periods.

A 2/1 roster may suit people who are focused on saving money, getting into the FIFO industry or gaining site experience. However, it is worth being honest with yourself about whether the lifestyle is sustainable.

On FIFO Careers, 2/1 rosters currently appear in mechanical and heavy-vehicle maintenance roles. For example, one current listing is a Diesel Mechanic – Workshop role with Cummins in Port Hedland, WA, advertised as a 2/1 FIFO role.

What is an 8/6 FIFO roster?

An 8/6 FIFO roster usually means you work eight days on site and then have six days off.

This roster is often seen as more lifestyle-friendly than a 2/1 roster because the time away is shorter and the break is still meaningful. For many workers, 8/6 feels closer to a balanced FIFO arrangement.

You may see 8/6 rosters in maintenance, trades, supervisory roles, professional site roles and some camp or village jobs. These roles can sometimes be more competitive, especially if they offer good pay and a better lifestyle balance.

The main thing to check is whether the roster includes travel days. For example, if you fly out on the first day and return home late on the final day, your actual time at home may feel shorter than the roster suggests.

On FIFO Careers, 8/6 rosters currently appear across mining, maintenance and site support roles. Recent examples include BHP roles such as Electrical Supervisor and Condition Monitoring Technician, as well as Civeo FIFO Supervisor roles in hospitality operations.

What is a 2/2 FIFO roster?

A 2/2 FIFO roster usually means two weeks on site followed by two weeks off.

This roster gives you a longer break at home, but it also means a longer period away during each swing. Some workers like 2/2 because the time off feels substantial. Others find the two weeks away difficult, especially if the work is physically demanding or involves night shifts.

A 2/2 roster can appear in shutdown work, offshore work, trades, maintenance and some remote site roles. It may suit people who want bigger blocks of time off for travel, family or side projects.

Before accepting a 2/2 role, check the shift length, whether night shift is involved, and how the travel days work. A roster can look balanced on paper, but the real experience depends on the full schedule.

Which FIFO roster is best for beginners?

There is no single “best” FIFO roster for beginners. The right roster depends on your goals, experience, health, family situation and how well you handle time away from home.

If you are trying to get your first FIFO job, you may not have the luxury of choosing the perfect roster straight away. Entry-level roles can be competitive, so many people focus first on getting site experience. Once you have experience, it may become easier to move into a better roster or a more suitable role.

As a general guide:

• 2/1 can be common and may suit people focused on earning and experience.

• 8/6 is often attractive because the time away is shorter.

• 2/2 gives strong time off, but the work stretch is still long.

• 7/7 can feel more balanced, but availability depends on the role and location.

If you are new to FIFO, try to think beyond the headline pay. A slightly lower-paying job with a roster you can actually sustain may be better than a higher-paying job that burns you out quickly.

FIFO Utility jobs

FIFO rosters and work hours

The roster only tells part of the story. You also need to understand the daily work hours.

Many FIFO jobs involve long shifts, often around 10 to 12 hours per day. Some roles include night shifts, rotating shifts, early starts or physically demanding work. Camp life can also affect sleep, recovery and your ability to relax after work.

When comparing FIFO jobs, look at:

• Shift length

• Day shift vs night shift

• Whether travel days are paid

• Whether breaks are included

• Whether the roster is fixed or can change

• How long it takes to travel to and from site

• Camp conditions and room arrangements

A roster that looks good in a job ad may not feel as good if the travel is difficult, the shifts are long or the camp conditions are poor.

Questions to ask before accepting a FIFO roster

Before accepting a FIFO role, it is worth asking a few practical questions.

Ask the employer or recruiter:

• What exactly does the roster mean?

• Are travel days counted as work days?

• Are flights paid for?

• Where do flights depart from?

• Are meals and accommodation included?

• Is the roster fixed or subject to change?

• Are there night shifts?

• How long are the daily shifts?

• Is the role FIFO, DIDO or residential?

• Is the job permanent, casual or contract?

• What happens if flights are delayed?

• Is there phone reception or Wi-Fi on site?

These questions can help you avoid surprises and compare roles more accurately.

How to find FIFO jobs by roster

When searching for FIFO jobs, scan both the job title and description. Employers may include roster details in different places.

Useful search terms include:

• 2/1 FIFO

• 8/6 FIFO

• 2/2 FIFO

• 7/7 FIFO

• FIFO from Perth

• FIFO from Brisbane

• FIFO utility

• FIFO cleaner

• FIFO chef

• FIFO shutdown

• camp accommodation

• mine site roster

On FIFO Careers, you can browse FIFO jobs across different locations, skills and industries. This can help you compare what rosters are currently being advertised and which roles are available for your experience level.

At the time of writing, FIFO Careers listed 224 FIFO jobs across Australia, including 36 mobile equipment maintenance roles, 11 hospitality/camp-style roles, 6 cleaning services roles and 19 heavy industry trades roles. Current listings include examples across village maintenance, housekeeping, cleaning, catering, trade assistant, HD fitter and diesel mechanic roles.

Final thoughts

FIFO rosters are one of the most important things to understand before applying for remote work. A roster affects your income, lifestyle, recovery time and how much time you spend away from home.

For beginners, the best approach is to learn what each roster means, ask the right questions and be realistic about what you can handle. A FIFO job can be a good opportunity, but the right roster makes a big difference.

If you are ready to compare current openings, browse FIFO jobs in Australia and check the roster details before applying.