FIFO Jobs for Women: Roles, Safety and Rights

Can women get FIFO jobs?

Yes. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) reports that women made up 23% of the mining workforce in its 2024-25 Scorecard, with men at 77%. That makes mining one of the more male-dominated industries, which is a reason to go in prepared. It is not a reason to stay out.

WGEA’s mining industry snapshot for 2022-23 breaks the workforce down by occupation. Women’s share of non-manager employees in mining was:

Clerical and administrative workers: 72%
Professionals: 31%
Machinery operators and drivers: 18%
Labourers: 17%
Technicians and trade workers: 10%

Two things follow. Women work in every group WGEA reports. The hands-on groups are where you are most likely to be one of few women on a crew.

Entry roles and pathways

FIFO employers hire through the same broad doors for everyone. Using WGEA’s occupation groups as a guide, these are the main ways in:

Labourers and site support. General labouring, cleaning, and camp and hospitality roles that train on the job. See our mining jobs with no experience guide.
Machinery operators and drivers. This group covers roles such as haul truck and other mobile plant operators. Many employers train new operators, but requirements differ by site.
Technicians and trade workers. Trades usually mean an apprenticeship or a qualification first. WGEA shows this is the group with the lowest share of women, so trades are where a woman on site is most likely to be in a very small minority.
Professionals. Roles such as geology, engineering, environment and safety usually need a degree.
Clerical and administrative. Site admin, payroll and logistics. This is the group with the highest share of women in WGEA’s data, and it can be a way to learn a site before moving across.

For the full pathway, start with our guide on how to get into mining. To compare what roles pay, see our salary pages and the salary calculator, and browse the careers section for role profiles.

Tickets you will need

Most sites ask for a White Card at minimum, and some roles add licences, tickets or a medical. The cert planner shows which tickets each entry role usually needs. Requirements differ by state, site and employer. Ask the employer or labour hire company which tickets they require before you spend money. Our certs section lists the common ones, and the FIFO work guide explains how rosters and fly-in arrangements work.

Camp life: what to ask

Accommodation differs between sites and employers, and we have not found a reliable national source on camp facilities, so this guide does not make claims about what camps are like. Ask directly instead. Useful questions are in the checklist below, and your employer should be able to answer them plainly.

Safety and the Enough is Enough inquiry

In Western Australia a parliamentary committee investigated sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry. Its final report, Enough is Enough: Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry, was tabled in June 2022 with 79 findings and 24 recommendations. WorkSafe WA’s progress report summarises what the inquiry found: sexual harassment and assault were not being appropriately managed, because of failure to report known incidents, fear of repercussions for those who report, limited or ineffective training across the industry, and a significant gender imbalance in the workforce.

The recommendations covered protecting the anonymity of victims and witnesses, education and training, and better monitoring of and response to incidents. The same report notes that workplace sexual harassment has been prohibited under the Fair Work Act 2009 since 6 March 2023 for businesses covered by the national workplace relations system.

The inquiry was about WA, but the legal duties described below come from federal law. It is worth knowing where you stand before you start.

Your rights and where to report

Your employer has a legal duty

The Australian Human Rights Commission explains that under the Sex Discrimination Act employers have a positive duty to eliminate, as far as possible, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexist conduct and related victimisation in the workplace. The Commission also runs a Respect@Work Information Service on 1300 656 419.

Who to contact

Mining Industry Respect Infoline (WA). A confidential service run by Circle Green Community Legal on 1800 929 250. It gives advice and referrals to people who have been affected, support persons, bystanders and whistle-blowers. If you want to report an incident it refers you to WorkSafe and WA Police (WorkSafe WA report).
WorkSafe WA. The WA Government lists WorkSafe lines on 1300 307 877 and 1800 678 198 and says reports can be made anonymously (support for affected workers).
1800RESPECT. 24/7 support on 1800 737 732, or text 0458 737 732. In an emergency call 000 (1800RESPECT).
Fair Work Commission. The Commission says an application must be made within 2 years of the alleged conduct, you do not need a lawyer, and it can make stop orders to prevent further harassment. A Member will usually hold a conference first (who can apply, how cases are handled).

Write down what happened, when and who saw it, as soon as you can. The lines above sit outside your employer, so you can choose which one to start with.

Questions to ask an employer before you accept

These are good questions for anyone. They matter more when you are likely to be in a small minority on site. A good employer will answer them without fuss.

What is your sexual harassment policy, and can I see it? Who do I report to, and is there more than one option?
Can I report anonymously, and what happens after I report?
What training do all staff and supervisors get on harassment and respectful behaviour?
What is the accommodation like: private room, bathroom, security and who else lives in the block?
What is the roster, and how far are the flights and transfers?
Who is the supervisor, and how many women are on my crew or in my work area?
Is there an employee assistance program or counselling available on site or by phone?
If I want to leave a roster or move crews after a problem, what happens?

Networks and mentoring

Industry networks can help with introductions, mentoring and knowing which employers treat people well.

Women in Mining and Resources WA (WIMWA) says it was founded in 2003 and runs monthly Perth events, an annual summit and a mentoring program that it runs twice a year.
Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) lists events, mentoring, regional committees and the Resources Awards for Women, and says membership is free.

Check each site for current programs and eligibility. Details change and we have not listed dates or costs.

Frequently asked questions

Can women get FIFO jobs in mining?

Yes. WGEA's 2024-25 Gender Equality Scorecard shows women make up 23% of the mining workforce, and its mining snapshot for 2022-23 shows women working in every occupation group it reports, from labourers and machinery operators to professionals and administration. Women are still the minority in most hands-on roles, so expect to be one of few women on some crews and sites.

What FIFO jobs are best for women with no experience?

The same entry points as anyone else: labouring, cleaning and camp support, hospitality, trades assistant and similar roles that train on the job. WGEA data shows women hold a larger share of clerical and administrative roles in mining than of trades or labouring roles, so those can be an easier way in. Our no-experience guide covers the entry roles and tickets in detail.

What tickets do I need for a FIFO job?

Most sites ask for a White Card (general construction induction) at minimum, and some roles need extra tickets, a licence or a medical. Requirements vary by state, site and employer, so check the job ad and ask the employer or labour hire company before you pay for anything. Our certs pages list the common tickets.

Is sexual harassment a problem in FIFO mining?

A Western Australian parliamentary inquiry, Enough is Enough, looked into sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry and tabled its final report in June 2022 with 79 findings and 24 recommendations. WorkSafe WA says the inquiry found sexual harassment and assault were not being appropriately managed, citing under-reporting by companies, fear of repercussions for people who report, limited or ineffective training, and a significant gender imbalance in the workforce. Employers now have legal duties to prevent it.

Where can I report sexual harassment at a mine site?

You can start with your employer, HR or a health and safety representative. Outside the company, in WA the Mining Industry Respect Infoline run by Circle Green Community Legal is confidential and can be reached on 1800 929 250, and WorkSafe WA runs reporting lines. You can also apply to the Fair Work Commission, and 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) offers 24/7 support. In an emergency call 000.

How long do I have to make a sexual harassment claim?

For a Fair Work Commission sexual harassment application the Commission says the time limit is 2 years from the date of the alleged conduct. Other avenues have their own time limits, so get advice early rather than waiting.

Are there networks or mentoring programs for women in mining?

Yes. Women in Mining and Resources WA (WIMWA) was founded in 2003 and runs events in Perth and mentoring. Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) runs events, mentoring and regional committees. Check each organisation's website for current programs and eligibility, as details change.

Sources

Last updated 10 October 2026. Facts on this page come from the sources below.

Laws, phone lines and programs change. Confirm current details with the organisation concerned before you rely on this page. This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you are in danger, call 000.

FIFO Jobs for Women: Roles, Safety and Your Rights