Casual vs Full-Time
Who Really Earns More?
Australia
FIFO Jobs
2025
Are you thinking about working in the Australian mining industry under a FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) system? One of the first decisions you’ll face is:
Should you accept a full-time
contract or work as a casual?
Although many people believe that casual workers earn more per hour, the reality is that, over the course of a year, both types of contracts tend to generate similar income. The difference lies in how and when the payment is received.
What Does It Mean to Work
as a Casual in FIFO?
A casual FIFO worker:
Earns more per hour
Thanks to the casual loading of 20–25%
- Doesn’t receive paid holidays or sick leave.
- Gets paid only when physically on site.
- Can be called in on short notice and for short periods.
- Has lower job security: no work = no pay.
Important:
Many casual workers are not called in for weeks, especially during low seasons. That means no income, even if they’ve already completed medicals and inductions.
What Does a Full-Time FIFO
Contract Offer?
A full-time FIFO worker:
Has a contract with guaranteed hours
Usually 38 per week
- Receives paid annual leave, sick leave, and other entitlements.
- Gets priority over casuals when assigning shifts.
- Receives regular superannuation payments.
- Has more protection from job cuts or shift reductions.
What many people don’t know:
When a full-time contract ends, the company pays out all accumulated and unused vacation days in the final payment , and sometimes other entitlements, such as long service leave.
SAME HOURLY RATE
JUSTS PAID AT DIFFERENT TIME
- Casuals get a 25% loading added to their hourly pay instead of sick leave, paid holidays, or notice periods.
- Full-time workers don’t get that loading, but accumulate those benefits, and get paid out for unused leave and holidays at the end of their contract or when they resign.
Which Option Is Better for FIFO Workers?
Both casual and full-time workers earn the same hourly base rate. The only difference is when and how you receive your extra benefits.
- Many FIFO companies let casual workers go first when projects end or demand drops
FIFO Salary Comparison:
Casual vs Full-Time
Source: Realistic estimates for roles like Utility, Kitchenhand, Cleaners, and TA in FIFO camps across WA and QLD, 2025.
Concept
Base hourly rate
Sick leave
Annual leave
Roster continuity
Estimated Annual Salary
Casual
Same as full-time
Not included
Not included
Less shifts
AUD 70000 -130000
Full-Time
Same as casual
Yes
Paid at contract end
Higher priority
AUD 70000 -130000
Who Earns More in FIFO Jobs, Casual or Full-Time?
At first glance, casual workers earn more per hour.
But in reality, full-time workers often make more over the year, because:
- They get consistent shifts
- They’re paid leave
- They don’t face long unpaid waiting periods
- When their contract ends, full-time workers receive a final payout that includes all unused leave entitlements, bringing their effective hourly rate equal to or even higher than that of casuals
This means they often end up earning more per hour and working longer overall thanks to the stability of their roster.
The best FIFO jobs don’t go to chance, they go to those who are ready.
We’ll help you choose the right path, build a strong application, and step confidently into the industry.
Start smart. Get expert support today.
