How Much Does FIFO Cleaning Pay in Victoria, Australia? A Comprehensive Breakdown
How Much Does FIFO Cleaning Pay in Victoria, Australia? A Comprehensive Breakdown
In the Australian job market, FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) positions have become a staple in remote and regional industries. While traditionally associated with mining and engineering roles, there has been a growing demand for support services—especially FIFO cleaning jobs. With Plumber Warragul, we explore the earning potential of FIFO cleaning roles, focusing specifically on Victoria, Australia, and provide valuable insights into the factors influencing pay, benefits, and employment trends.
📌 What is a FIFO Cleaning Job?
A FIFO cleaning job involves travelling to remote or regional worksites, typically in the mining, oil, and gas industries, where cleaners are employed to maintain hygienic conditions in accommodation camps, site offices, recreational areas, and shared amenities. These professionals play a vital role in ensuring workplace health and safety, especially in high-risk environments.
FIFO cleaners usually work in roster cycles—for example, 2 weeks on-site followed by 1 week off. The “fly-in fly-out” model allows companies to staff remote projects without relocating workers permanently.
💲 So, How Much Does FIFO Cleaning Pay in Victoria?
In Victoria, Australia, FIFO cleaning wages typically range between AUD $35 to $50 per hour, depending on various factors. That equates to a gross weekly income of approximately $2,800 to $4,000, assuming a 12-hour shift schedule across a 14-day swing.
🧾 Average Annual Income:
- Base Pay (entry-level cleaner): ~$90,000 AUD per year
- Experienced FIFO Cleaner (with supervision duties): $110,000 – $130,000 AUD per year
- Specialised Cleaners (e.g., industrial site, biohazard, or deep cleans): Up to $150,000 AUD
Source: Job listings from SEEK, Indeed Australia, and employment data published by the Fair Work Ombudsman and Safe Work Australia.
🔍 What Affects FIFO Cleaning Salaries in Victoria?
Several key factors drive the variance in FIFO cleaner salaries:
1. Location & Site Conditions
While Victoria doesn’t have as many remote mining operations as Western Australia or Queensland, there are FIFO opportunities in regional hubs like Mildura, Ballarat, and Gippsland. Cleaning roles in more isolated or difficult environments tend to pay more due to the additional hardship allowances.
2. Employer Type
Major mining contractors and facility management providers such as Spotless Group, Sodexo, and Ventia often offer higher pay scales and better roster flexibility compared to smaller subcontractors.
3. Certifications & Experience
Holding credentials such as White Cards, Infection Control Certificates, or EWP licenses can significantly boost employability and pay. Experience with hazardous materials, mine site safety, or remote camp maintenance is also highly valued.
4. Roster Type
Longer rosters (e.g., 3 weeks on/1 off) generally come with higher pay incentives and remote bonuses. However, this is balanced against longer periods away from home and family.
5. Union Agreements and Enterprise Bargaining
Sites covered under union-negotiated EBAs may offer superior wages and working conditions than non-unionised projects.
🔄 LSI & Related Keyword Integration
In understanding FIFO cleaning pay rates, it’s essential to consider related queries:
- “FIFO cleaner salary Victoria”
- “remote camp jobs wages”
- “how much do mining cleaners make?”
- “cleaning jobs FIFO Victoria”
- “FIFO lifestyle pros and cons”
These latent semantic indexing (LSI) keywords not only reinforce topic relevance but also aid SEO performance, ensuring the article surfaces for a broader range of organic searches.
🏕️ Benefits of Working as a FIFO Cleaner
Aside from the above-average pay, FIFO cleaning jobs offer a bundle of fringe benefits:
- Free accommodation and meals
- Travel allowances
- Access to remote site amenities (e.g., gyms, recreation rooms)
- Regular shift cycles with extended breaks
- Pathways to supervisory or facilities management roles
In Victoria’s regional economy, such incentives are a game-changer, especially for job seekers seeking career transition, work-life rhythm, or rapid savings.
⚠️ Challenges and Realities of FIFO Cleaning
While the pay can be attractive, it’s not without trade-offs:
- Extended time away from home
- Physical and repetitive nature of cleaning work
- Potential exposure to hazardous materials
- Remote working conditions (limited mobile service, isolation)
- Mental health strain due to FIFO lifestyle
The Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions recommends prospective workers explore FIFO support resources and mental wellness programs before committing to long-term contracts.
📍 FIFO Cleaning Jobs in Victoria: Where to Look
Despite being less dominant than in WA or QLD, Victoria still offers FIFO employment—especially in areas like:
- East Gippsland – forestry and renewable energy camps
- Wimmera-Mallee – seasonal agricultural processing hubs
- Latrobe Valley – mining support and infrastructure operations
- Northwest Victoria – construction camps, solar farms, and infrastructure projects
Local labour hire firms such as Hays Recruitment, Programmed, and WorkPac often list FIFO cleaning jobs with flexible rosters and short-term contracts.
💡 Pro Tips for Landing a FIFO Cleaning Job
- Update Your Resume with FIFO-specific Experience
Highlight any past roles in remote work, hospitality, or commercial cleaning. - Acquire Mandatory Safety Training
Including White Card, COVID-19 hygiene certifications, and First Aid/CPR. - Get Fit-for-Work Certified
Many employers require medical and fitness assessments before deployment. - Register with Multiple Agencies
Apply proactively via platforms like SEEK, Indeed, and Jora, filtering by “FIFO Victoria” or “remote cleaning.” - Be Roster Flexible
Being open to short swings, emergency relief shifts, or night work can improve your chances of being placed faster.
📊 Final Thoughts: Is FIFO Cleaning Worth It in Victoria?
FIFO cleaning roles in Victoria offer strong financial rewards, particularly for those willing to embrace remote work culture, endure physically demanding tasks, and maintain a high standard of cleanliness in challenging environments. Whether you’re transitioning careers, saving for a big life goal, or simply seeking a high-paying job without a university degree, FIFO cleaning could be your launchpad.
However, it’s essential to weigh the lifestyle implications, prepare mentally, and make use of available support networks—both on and off-site. See Plumber Warragul for more.
If you’re based in Victoria and curious about “how much FIFO cleaning pays”, rest assured that the answer is: more than you’d expect—and with fewer barriers to entry than most other FIFO roles.
