FIFO worker Cam McIlwaine reveals insane weekly salary

FIFO workers are revealing the staggering amount they earn as new starters, as well as the perks – and it might encourage you to quit your job.

An Irish fly-in fly-out worker has revealed the staggering amount he earns as a new starter in the mines in Western Australia – and it might encourage you to quit your job.

Cal McIlwaine told his followers the FIFO gig was “very lucrative”.

“The thing with FIFO is you are not spending any money on accommodation, you are not spending any money on food, you are not spending money on anything … apart from smokes,” he said.

“You can literally come up here and spend zero dollars.”

Cal McIlwaine. Picture: TikTok

Cal McIlwaine works 84 hours a week. Picture: TikTok

He said he was given the opportunity to work a “f***load of hours”.

“I work 84 hours a week,” he boasted.

Mr McIlwaine’s rotation means he works two weeks on, two weeks off.

He said in his first week, which is only four days due to travel, he was earning $3470 and in his second week, $3944.

“You would have to be a doctor, nurse or a vet or something like that to be earning that amount of money,” he said.

McIlwaine is an Irish FIFO worker. Picture: Instagram

Another FIFO worker, Layla-Rose Tynan, 20, backs up Mr McIlwaine’s claim, spruiking the perks of fly-in fly-out life on her Instagram.

The young Queensland woman details her glamorous life – from the cash she has to burn and her ability to take regular holidays.

Layla-Rose Tynan has been working as a casual FIFO utilities worker since she was 18 years old. Picture: Instagram

Layla-Rose Tynan travels during her off-work periods. Picture: Instagram

Originally from Geraldton, Ms Tynan recently made the move to Queensland in pursuit of “personal growth and new experiences”, after starting her FIFO career two years ago at just 18.

“Fuelled by my dreams of starting a business, I relocated to Queensland, embracing FIFO … to secure funds, create new connections in this state and pursue my goals.,” she said.

“My first time getting into FIFO work was inspired by the happiness my friends experienced in their off-week lifestyle – a perfect blend of savings and travel.

“ … I’ve had the pleasure of meeting extraordinary people, and the FIFO lifestyle aligns perfectly with my current situation in a new state, allowing me both the time and resources to explore and grow while also getting closer to my goals.”

Ms Tynan’s current position as a casual utilities worker sees her looking after the kitchen at a mine site, responsible for managing the floor, back crib, dishwashing and replenishing hot breakfast options and lunch options for the miners.

Jobs in the mining sector are consistently ranked as offering the highest average salary in Australia.

Jobs in the mining sector are consistently ranked as offering the highest average salary in Australia.

Mining jobs have the number one rank according to SEEK with an average salary for someone working in the mining industry being $116,000 – a drop of 13.96 per cent from 2013.

FIFO work is becoming an increasingly popular career option for Australians, as mining and energy sites across the nation search for people to work in remote and regional locations.

According to AUSINET there are 100,000 FIFO workers in Australia.

FIFO work arrangements are predominant in Western Australia and Queensland.