r/careerguidance • u/Main-Tangerine9215 • 6h ago
Advice Got offered $180k FIFO and my girlfriend basically told me not to come back if I take it?
I'm 31 and work as a mechanical engineer making about $108k AUD in Perth.
I got offered a FIFO role at a mine for just under $180k plus super. Originally I was told it would be 8 days on 6 days off, which actually sounded pretty manageable.
Then during the final call they casually mentioned that for at least the first 6 months it'll probably be 14 days on 7 off because the project is behind schedule. Mostly 12 hour days too.
My girlfriend was already nervous about the 8 and 6 roster but when I told her about the change she basically said if I accept it, I should assume our relationship is over. We've been together 4 years and were planning on buying a place together. I've got a decent amount saved toward my half already.
To make it more complicated my current boss found out I was interviewing because they contacted him for a reference. He suddenly offered me $128k and a senior title to stay, but also made it pretty clear that if I leave for FIFO and hate it in 6 months I shouldn't expect my old job back.
So now I'm looking at roughly $50k more to spend half my life at a mine, potentially lose my relationship and close the door on a job I actually like.
At the same time I keep thinking I could do FIFO for 2 or 3 years, absolutely stack money and come out way ahead financially.
Anyone here taken the big FIFO money and actually regretted it?