Your First FIFO Swing: Packing List, Medical and Site Checklist
Your employer's mobilisation instructions override a generic packing list. Once you have accepted one of the verified FIFO jobs from Perth, build your checklist from the site, role, airline baggage limit, accommodation and PPE instructions you receive in writing.
Last fact-checked: 29 August 2026. Employment, visa, pay and professional-program rules can change; verify the linked primary source before acting.
| Factor | What it means |
|---|---|
| Medical | Assessment should relate to the actual job activities and remote-work hazards; a generic pass is not a universal site clearance. |
| Drug and alcohol testing | Follow the employer's documented process and disclose prescribed medication to the authorised medical professional as instructed. |
| PPE | Confirm what the employer supplies before purchasing boots, clothing, glasses or hearing protection. |
| Baggage | The booking or mobilisation email—not a generic internet list—sets flight times, check-in and luggage limits. |
Documents and health preparation
Keep photo identification, licences, tickets, emergency contacts and mobilisation details accessible. Complete forms honestly. A fitness assessment is designed to match capacity to role demands and remote response conditions.
Bring prescription medicine in original packaging and enough for the swing plus a reasonable delay buffer, within the employer's policy. Do not stop medication to influence a test; contact the clinic or employer's authorised representative with questions.
Pack for function, not status
Prioritise underwear and socks for the swing, toiletries within flight rules, sleepwear, casual camp clothing, sun protection, chargers, any allowed comfort items and a labelled laundry bag. Earplugs or an eye mask can help with day sleeping if permitted.
Do not assume you need an expensive suitcase or duplicate tools. Sites commonly supply specified PPE and prohibit some personal electrical items, alcohol or food. Check camp rules.
Travel and first-day readiness
Confirm airport, terminal, check-in deadline, parking or transfer plan and who to call if delayed. Arrive early enough to meet the employer's direction; missing a charter can disrupt an entire mobilisation.
Expect inductions before productive work. Ask questions, use the reporting channels and do not perform a task you are not trained or authorised to do.
Build a mobilisation folder
Store the employment contact, roster, flight or bus details, site contact, medical clearance instructions, licences and emergency numbers in one offline folder. Keep copies on the phone and a secure backup, but do not place identity documents in an unprotected shared drive. Tell a household contact the itinerary and the employer's emergency channel.
Check that names match travel identification and that tickets or occupational licences are current. If a document is pending, tell mobilisation before departure rather than hoping the site will accept a screenshot or expired card. Remote operations may have limited ability to resolve an avoidable documentation problem at check-in.
Plan clothing, laundry and room life
Ask how often laundry is available and whether detergent, towels and linen are supplied. Pack enough basics for the service interval plus a delay, not necessarily one item for every day. Label personal items discreetly. Bring only the casual clothing allowed in camp areas and check footwear rules outside work zones.
Rooms and bathrooms may be private or shared, and day-shift and night-shift workers need different quiet periods. Headphones, an eye mask and permitted earplugs can help, but alarms must still be reliable. Respect noise, shared facilities and alcohol policies from the first night.
Prepare the household for the swing
A first swing affects people at home as well as the worker. Agree how often to communicate, what will happen if coverage is poor and who handles bills, pets, school or urgent maintenance. Set expectations that fatigue after a shift may limit long calls. A simple plan reduces avoidable conflict when the roster begins.
After returning, note what was genuinely used, what the site supplied and what caused difficulty. Update the list for the next swing rather than buying every item recommended online. Also review sleep, recovery and the effect on relationships before deciding whether the roster is sustainable.
The final 24-hour check
Recheck travel status, identification, baggage, medication, alarm, home transport and the mobilisation contact. Charge devices and download information needed offline. Do not begin a first swing sleep-deprived because packing was left overnight. If illness or a document problem arises, contact mobilisation early instead of creating a missed departure without notice.
Finally, read the employer's code of conduct and camp rules. Remote accommodation remains a workplace community, and respectful behaviour, privacy and fatigue-aware choices matter off shift as well as during work.
A practical action plan
- Save mobilisation, roster and emergency-contact details offline.
- Complete employer-nominated medical and checks honestly.
- Confirm supplied PPE, laundry, room and baggage arrangements.
- Pack medication, essentials and a small delay buffer.
- Plan transport to the departure point and check in as instructed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying PPE before receiving the site specification.
- Packing prohibited items or exceeding charter limits.
- Hiding medication from an authorised medical assessment.
- Assuming every camp provides the same room, laundry or connectivity.
Continue this topic
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Frequently asked questions
What should I pack for FIFO?
Use the mobilisation list first; common personal essentials include swing-length basics, toiletries, medication, casual camp clothing and chargers within site rules.
Do I need to pay for my own medical?
Arrangements differ. Only use the employer-nominated process and confirm responsibility for cost before booking.
Will the site provide PPE?
Many employers provide required PPE, but inclusions vary. Get the specification before purchasing anything.