Shutdown Worker
Travel to oil, gas, mining and processing sites for intensive maintenance turnarounds.
Estimated Salary: $90,000 - $150,000+ per year
What can I realistically earn as a Shutdown Worker?
Typical Salary Range
$90,000 - $150,000+
per year, before tax
Typical Rosters
Industries
Career Growth
Starting Role
Shutdown TA
Next Role
Leading Hand
Advanced Role
Turnaround Manager
Salary information is indicative only. Actual earnings depend on location, employer, experience, qualifications and market demand.
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Shutdown Workers join project teams that perform major maintenance on plant and equipment. Swings are intense, hours are long and pay is typically higher.
- Maintenance and turnaround support
- Confined space and elevated work
- Working to permits and JSAs
- Supporting trades and operators
- Pre-start permit review
- Permit-to-work tasks throughout the day
- Lunch on site
- Continue work to schedule
- Debrief and hand over
- Shutdown swings of 2-4 weeks
- 12+ hour shifts common
- Long shifts in heat or confined spaces
- Heavy lifting and climbing
- Monadelphous
- UGL
- Civmec
- BGC Contracting
- Worley
Employer names are listed for general information. FIFO Go is not affiliated with these companies.
- White Card and Heights essential
- Confined Space and Gas Test strongly preferred
A shutdown project occurs when a mine, refinery, power station, processing plant or industrial facility temporarily stops operations so maintenance, repairs or upgrades can be completed.
Shutdown projects often provide short-term, high-demand employment opportunities and are commonly used by workers to gain experience in mining and industrial environments.
- Trade Assistant
- Rigger
- Dogger
- Scaffolder
- Boilermaker
- Mechanical Fitter
- Electrician
- Crane Crew
- Forklift Operator
- Telehandler Operator
- Cleaner
- Camp Utility Worker
- High hourly rates
- Overtime opportunities
- Short-term contracts
- Entry pathway into mining
- Suitable for FIFO newcomers
- Opportunity to gain industry experience
Fast-tracks experience and earnings. One or two shutdowns can lift you from beginner to competitive FIFO candidate.
- White CardLearn more
- Working At HeightsLearn more
- Confined SpaceLearn more
- Gas Test AtmospheresLearn more
- First AidLearn more
- Workers wanting intense, well-paid swings
- Trade Assistants and trades
How often do shutdowns happen?
Major shutdowns occur every few months across Australia, with peaks in autumn and spring.