How to Read a FIFO Job Ad: Required vs Preferred

Updated 18 October 2026 · General information, not advice

FIFO and remote-site job ads pack a lot into a few lines. Reading them carefully helps you apply for the right roles and avoid paying for tickets or travel you don't need. Here's what to look for.

1. Separate "required" from "preferred"

Required: "essential", "must have", "mandatory", "minimum requirements".
Preferred: "desirable", "highly regarded", "an advantage", "ideally".

If you meet the required items but not every preferred one, it can still be worth applying. If a required item is missing, check whether the employer offers training before you rule the job out, or before you pay for it yourself.

2. Check the roster

Rosters are usually written as time on and time off, for example "2:1" (often two weeks on, one week off) or "8/6" (eight days on, six off). Notation varies, so if it isn't clear, ask how many days you'd be on site and how long each shift is.

3. Check the point of hire

The point of hire is where the employer flies you from, often a specific city or airport. If you live elsewhere, ask who pays to get you there. It can make a big difference to whether a job works for you.

4. Look for work rights and checks

Ads may ask for citizenship, permanent residency or particular visas, and may mention a pre-employment medical, drug and alcohol testing, or a police check. If work rights aren't mentioned, ask. Only the employer and the relevant authorities can confirm whether you're eligible.

5. Notice what's missing

Anything the ad doesn't say is unknown: tickets, pay structure, accommodation, flights or start date. Don't assume. Write it down as a question for the recruiter.

6. Watch for red flags

Being asked to pay upfront for training, equipment or a "placement".
Unexpected job offers through WhatsApp, other messaging apps or social media.
A "guaranteed job" with very little detail about the employer or site.

Scamwatch advises verifying recruiters through their official website and never sending money for an unexpected job offer (Scamwatch job scams factsheet).

Questions worth asking the recruiter

Which of the listed tickets are essential on day one?
Do you provide any training or inductions after hire?
Where is the point of hire, and are flights covered from where I live?
What are the exact roster and shift lengths?
What work rights do you require for this role?

Let FIFOCheck do the first read

Paste a job ad into FIFOCheck with your experience and tickets. It separates required from preferred, flags what to verify, and lists questions to ask, so you can decide before you spend money. See also: What tickets do you need for a FIFO job?

General information only, not employment, migration or legal advice. Requirements differ by employer, site and country. Always confirm with the employer and the relevant authority. See our Terms of Use.