Young FIFO worker exposes the brutal reality of mining: ‘Feels like prison’
A young worker has exposed the brutal realities of mining while warning others that despite the high salary he is forced to make great sacrifices.
New Zealander Kieran Wealleans moved to Brisbane for a FIFO job as a diesel mechanic and hit back at Australians who claimed the job was fun.
“I work eleven hours a day, Monday through Sunday. I have no friends or family around me. I’m going home to do the same repetitive cycle,” Mr Wealleans said in a video posted to social media.
“I can’t go for a walk or anything because all there is is a road that goes straight on for three hours. I’ve got all the service, but hey, at least the sunsets are cool.”
The teen said his normal workday is 11 hours, but most days he works 13 hours due to overtime.
“I’m not even an adult yet and I break more than most people,” he said.
New Zealander Kieran Wealleans moved to Brisbane and started fly-in-fly-out work as a diesel mechanic on mines
He added that he struggles to make friends while living alone in a middle of nowhere.
The median salary for FIFO diesel mechanics is $127,920 or $65.60 per hour, with entry-level positions starting at $105,075 per year, according to data from Talent.
The most experienced workers can earn up to $133,565 per year.
While FIFO work often pays well, it also presents unique challenges and sacrifices.
The higher wages are intended to compensate workers for the demands and lifestyle adjustments associated with working in remote and challenging environments while away from their families for extended periods of time.
Many Aussies responded to Mr. Wealleans, exposing some of the downsides of FIFO jobs.
“It feels like a prison,” said one.
FIFO jobs are jobs where an employer temporarily transports an employee to a location or remote work location
“My dad was in the exact situation he was never in and he deeply regrets it. He wished he chose his family over his job,” added another.
‘I am a FIFO employee myself. I feel you here. The only good thing is the money,” said a fourth.
“My dad did FIFO. I only saw him 12 weeks a year. Most of them I was in school. I have nothing to do with him now.
It’s not FIFO. The money makes it worth it, but almost not because there are still jobs back home that can make you the same amount of money.
Others, however, encouraged Mr. Wealleans to persevere, saying the industry’s huge salaries made it worth it in the long run.
One of them said, ‘My father did it, remember what you do it for and you don’t have to do it forever. Take care of yourself, honey.
“Throw the negatives in the trash, remember why you’re there, stay positive and believe in yourself,” a second added.
“Money is good, get decent time off depending on your schedule, don’t spend a lot of money locally, FIFO isn’t that bad, stop whining!”
“So many dads in my area are FIFO workers. They are usually the wealthiest families and sometimes the happiest, but it must be so hard,” said one Aussie.
Another added, “I did 168 hours last week. If you have a goal in mind, it’s worth it. Strengthen that spirit, boy.’
“Do it for a good five years and you’re set for life bro.”
“Keep it up, you are doing great, you will be successful and achieve so much in life, no matter how bad it is right now, but it will be worth it in the end.
Another FIFO employee, Jordan Dowsett, said that because he could make in a day what most Aussies make in a week, working remotely was worth it.
“You have the worst FOMO of anyone who enjoys their weekend — but you remember paying for their entire week in one day,” he said.
He recently shared a video showing what a day in the life of an electrician in the mines really looks like.
At 5am Mr. Dowsett goes to the ‘crib’ where the workers can have endless lunches and snacks to pack up and take to the mine.
Jordan Dowsett, a former Love Island contestant and FIFO electrician, claims to earn what other people earn in a week by working on a mine in central Queensland in one day
Half an hour later, the electrician is on the bus heading to the construction site where everyone attends a meeting and does some morning exercises before starting work at 6am.
Mr. Dowsett finishes work at 6:00 PM and is back at camp and the gym at 6:30 PM for an hour-long training session.
The Sparky showed the range of meals for dinner at 7:30 p.m., including curry and rice, chips, corn, green vegetables, stew, chicken schnitzel and salads, as well as ice cream for dessert.
At 8 p.m., the tradie is in bed and half an hour later asleep ‘ready to repeat the day’.