Mining company Mineral Resources introduces free flights for FIFO workers - and six-figure salaries

Aussies are being offered a very enticing package to fill a labour shortage - including ‘resort-style’ living.

A mining company is offering six-figure salaries and free direct flights from the east coast to its remote sites in Western Australia in a bid to attract new workers amid a labour shortage.

Mineral Resources hopes the offer of weekly return flights, generous salaries and ‘resort style’ accommodation can help fill the hundreds of vacant positions at two mines in the Pilbara.

The five-hour-plus flights from Brisbane Airport to the company’s Ken’s Bore mine began on January 11, with a second route from the Queensland capital to the Wodinga mine starting in February.

There are currently no plans for direct flights for FIFO workers from other cities.

The company’s flights to the remote Pilbara region hold 110 people. Picture: MinRes

About 10 per cent of the 1600 employees at the company’s Onslow Iron project are FIFO workers based in eastern states, the majority of whom are from Queensland.

MinRes’ general manager of people facilities, Bethanie Ibrahim said the free flights would save workers a day of travel and the money they usually spent on commercial airlines.

“We have already seen an increase in recruitment from Queensland in recent weeks, with hundreds more jobs set to be created in coming months,” she said.

The company expects more interstate workers to join amid a tight labour market, with Jobs and Skills Australia last year revealing 36 per cent of occupations were in a skills shortage.

There are an estimated 60,000 FIFO workers in Western Australia. Picture: Rebecca Le May

Its report found positions such as miners and mining engineers were in shortage across every state and territory in the country.

There are estimated to be more than 100,000 FIFO workers in Australia, with about 60,000 employed in Western Australia.

Studies have highlighted the mental health impact of FIFO work, pointing to the long periods spent away from family and friends despite the often large pay packets.

In 2022, the former federal government recognised the “strain” FIFO work can cause in a press release committing $6m to the MATES in Construction charity.

“Australian FIFO workers spend great amounts of time away from family, friends and loved ones throughout their working lives, which can cause mental health concerns,” former health minister Greg Hunt said.

“These workers experience higher levels of psychological distress — including anxiety and depression — with 33 per cent of FIFO workers reporting ‘high’ or ‘very high’ levels of psychological distress.”

An artists impression of MinRes’ resort at its Onslow Iron project. Picture: Supplied

Andrea Chapman, the MinRes executive general manager, said the new direct flights were part of a push to improve worker wellbeing and allow them to spend more time with family and friends.

The company is also constructing two resorts at Onslow Iron, which are billed as having rooms three times the size of traditional FIFO accommodation, an Olympic swimming pool and fitness centres.

“It’s part of our commitment to redefine the FIFO experience, which also includes the construction of resort-style accommodation and an industry-leading food offering,” Ms Chapman said.

Originally published as Mining company Mineral Resources introduces free flights for FIFO workers - and six-figure salaries