Mining and resources
How to write a FIFO resume that gets past the first scan
Mining and resources recruiters sort through large numbers of applications. A FIFO resume needs your roster availability, tickets and site experience where they can see them in seconds — written honestly, in plain Australian English.
What goes at the top
The first third of page one decides whether the rest gets read. For FIFO work, put these before your employment history:
- Name, mobile, email and the town or suburb you live in
- Point of hire you can fly from, such as Perth
- Rosters you can work, and when you can start
- A two or three line summary naming your trade or role and the equipment or work you know
- A short tickets and licences list with expiry dates
Example summary (fictional)
Listing rosters and availability
Recruiters fill specific swings. Make yours unmistakable with one line near the top, and mention any prior rosters inside each job so they can see you have done the hours before.
Weak
Happy to do FIFO.
Stronger
Available for 2:1, 8:6 and 14:7 rosters. Point of hire: Perth.
Why it works
Names the swings and departure point, so you can be matched to a real vacancy.
Weak
Worked shifts on site.
Stronger
Worked a 14:7 roster on 12-hour rotating day and night shifts.
Why it works
Shows you have already handled the fatigue and camp routine of FIFO work.
Tickets, licences and medicals
Give tickets their own section with the full name and expiry date. Common ones to confirm you actually hold include:
- Driver's licence class, and HR or HC if you hold it
- High risk work licences (for example forklift, dogging, rigging or EWP over 11 m)
- Working at heights, confined space, and gas test atmospheres
- First aid or CPR certificate
- Site or company inductions, and any Standard 11 or similar general induction
- Plant and equipment competencies (VOCs) with the machine named
Many employers require a pre-employment medical and drug and alcohol test. You do not need to list medical details on a resume — simply be ready to complete one. Requirements vary by employer and site, so check each job ad.
Describing site experience
For each job, name the commodity, type of operation and the equipment you used. Add one or two specific, true points about safety, output or reliability.
Weak
Operated machinery.
Stronger
Operated CAT 777 haul trucks and a water cart on an open-cut iron ore mine.
Why it works
Names machines and the operation, which is what recruiters search for.
Weak
Good safety record.
Stronger
Completed daily pre-starts and take-5s; reported hazards through the site system.
Why it works
Describes real safety habits instead of an unprovable claim.
Applying with no site experience
Entry-level roles such as utility, camp services, trades assistant or trainee operator favour transferable experience. Focus on:
- Shift work, long hours or physical jobs you have already done
- Machinery, driving or warehouse experience, including forklift work
- Hospitality, cleaning or kitchen work for camp roles
- Safety procedures you followed in previous jobs
- Any tickets you have completed, even short courses
Be honest about being new to site. Employers hiring trainees expect it; what they want to see is reliability and readiness for the roster.
Site-ready formatting
- Single column, clear headings and a plain font — easy for recruitment systems to read
- Two A4 pages for most applicants
- Tickets in a list with expiry dates, not buried inside paragraphs
- Save as PDF unless the ad asks for Word
- Name the file clearly, such as Firstname-Lastname-Resume.pdf
Our resume templates follow this layout. See also the FIFO and roster work overview and the mining industry guide.
Common questions
Should I say which roster I want?
Say which rosters you can work rather than only the one you prefer. If you can only work certain swings for family or health reasons, state that plainly so you are not shortlisted for something you would have to turn down.
Do I need to list my departure airport?
It helps. Many FIFO roles fly from a specific point of hire, often Perth. Listing where you can fly from (for example "Point of hire: Perth") saves a recruiter a question.
Should I include tickets that have expired?
Only if you label them clearly as expired or due for renewal. Never list an expired ticket as current — it is checked at induction and will cost you the job and your credibility.
How long should a FIFO resume be?
Usually two pages. Recruiters scan quickly for tickets, roster availability and relevant equipment, so keep those easy to find and cut older unrelated jobs to one line each.
Can JobCraft AU add tickets or site experience for me?
No. We only use the tickets, licences and experience you enter yourself. We help you present them clearly, but we never invent qualifications.