FIFO stands for Fly-In, Fly-Out, and it is a term used to describe a work arrangement where skilled workers travel from their city or central location home communities to a remote site to perform their duties in shifts. These workers are typically provided with food, accommodation, and recreational facilities while on site and transit back to their homes while on a break. The use of FIFO is common in large mining regions in Australia and Canada, and it is a response to the precarity of resource extraction sectors.

FIFO workforces create a temporary rise in population of the regional communities that they are assigned to. The local communities prefer for FIFO workers to purchase homes in the area and have more permanent opportunities because it would benefit the local economy. However, mining companies prefer not to provide permanent residencies such as company towns to FIFO workers because it saves the company money.

FIFO jobs are typically associated with mining, construction, or oil and gas, but there are many other FIFO jobs available, including teaching, nursing, and even catering. The FIFO lifestyle is popular with people who enjoy traveling, who want to live in remote locations, or are simply looking for a change of pace. FIFO jobs typically involve working on a roster, which means that workers will be working long hours for a few days or weeks at a time, followed by a period of rest.

Advantages of the FIFO lifestyle include the "rest and relaxation" (R&R) period, which gives workers enough time to fully recover from the long hours and shift work, and the opportunity to spend quality time with family when they are home on R&R. Disadvantages include long periods away from home, working in sometimes unpleasant conditions, and the detrimental effect on the mental health of FIFO workers, causing stress and anxiety as well as increased use of drugs and alcohol.

In summary, FIFO work is a work arrangement where skilled workers travel from their homes to a remote site to perform their duties in shifts. It is common in large mining regions in Australia and Canada and is a response to the precarity of resource extraction sectors. While there are advantages to the FIFO lifestyle, such as the R&R period and the opportunity to spend quality time with family, there are also disadvantages, such as long periods away from home and working in sometimes unpleasant conditions.