Female - First time doing FIFO work

[hazmez]

I've just been offered a FIFO job - rural QLD. And wanting to find information on what I should take/pack?

and also what to expect onsite.

[Gentoo]

The FIFO lifestyle take a bit to get used to, but I loved it - so much so that I did it for 8 years! (I only stopped it when I got offered a promotion that was based in a CBD head office.)

Don't worry about taking a bath towel or linen - these are supplied. Some rooms come with a TV - really depends on the site - so it's worth asking if you'll need to provide your own. You should be provided with a uniform and safety boots (but check to make sure before you head up, just in case you need to bring your own), so all you should need to take is clothes for the evening, PJs, some toiletries (they just provide soap), a hairdryer, a laptop or book to keep entertained, and money for the wetmess (pub).

The laundries generally have detergent and dryers for you to wash regularly (but bring a bag for carrying dirty clothes to/from the laundry) so you don't need too many clothes. Most sites have a gym and some have pools, tennis courts, etc., so maybe bring some gym clothes and shoes and a sweat towel.

If the room has an old-style (noisy) aircon unit, you might want earplugs for sleeping (but most rooms these days have nice, quiet, modern ones). If you're going to work nightshift, you might want an eyeshade for sleeping, or alternatively you can stick alfoil to the windows or glass doors using a slightly wet cake of soap. Most sites have mobile phone reception, but generally only through Telstra. They usually have a couple of payphones if you don't have a Telstra mobile.

If you're working FIFO, the days are generally pretty long - 11 or 12 hours working, plus travel time. In the evenings you generally have about 2 or 3 hours to eat dinner, do your washing, exercise, go to the pub or relax before bed. There's usually some people who spend their evenings at the pub socialising, some people who like to organise social sports events (netball, etc), and some people who just go back to their room and watch TV. It can feel a bit isolated and strange at first, so I'd highly recommend going to the pub or getting involved in sports, so that you can have some social interaction. Dinner can also be a bit of a "run-in, gulp-food, run-out" deal for many people, so it's good to sit down and start chatting to someone.

Best of luck - I hope you enjoy it!