The single most common mistake people make trying to break into FIFO is spending hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands, on a stack of tickets before they've even got a job. Here's a straight breakdown of what's actually worth buying early, and what to leave until a real job ad asks for it.
White Card, every time — no question. It's the one almost everyone needs, and the one to sort before anything else. After that, it depends on what job you're actually going for.
| Ticket | Approx. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White Card (Construction Induction Training) | $44–$99 online, $80–$120 face-to-face | A national card and close to a universal requirement for site access. Get this before you spend on anything else. |
| First Aid (HLTAID011) | $80–$195 | Cheap, broadly useful across almost any role. A good early buy alongside your White Card. |
For a beginner targeting general shutdown or labour-type roles, the realistic starting spend is White Card plus maybe First Aid — roughly $150–$300 total.
Standard 11 / "Generic Mining Induction" costs roughly $580–$715 and is a genuine requirement — but only in Queensland, under Queensland's coal mining safety legislation. It is not a WA requirement. WA mine sites run their own site-specific inductions, delivered once you're actually hired, not something you pre-purchase as a jobseeker.
If you're targeting WA sites or shutdown work, don't pre-pay for Standard 11. A lot of generic "how to get into mining" content gets this mixed up because it's written for the mining industry broadly rather than WA specifically.
These only matter once a specific role or job ad actually calls for them. Don't buy ahead of time on a guess.
| Ticket | Approx. cost | When it's worth it |
|---|---|---|
| Working at Heights | $240–$290 | Only once a specific role calls for it |
| Confined Space Entry | $190–$315 | Same — role/site-dependent |
| HR truck licence | $1,100–$2,150 | Only if specifically targeting a driving role |
Some roles expect you to already hold a High Risk Work Licence. Work out which job you're targeting first, then get the one licence that job actually needs, not a collection of them. A warehouse or stores-type role wants a forklift licence; a rigging or crane crew wants a dogging ticket.
| Licence | Approx. cost | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| Forklift (LF) or EWP | $300–$650 | Warehouse / stores, site packages that ask for it |
| Telehandler | $490–$570 | Site packages that ask for it |
| Dogging (DG) | $950–$1,225 | Rigging / crane crews — a much pricier bracket |
On top of the course, budget for a WorkSafe WA licence application fee of about $90–$130. Don't assume dogging costs the same as a forklift ticket just because they're both High Risk Work Licences.
You don't need Standard 11, an HR licence, or a stack of tickets bought on spec. Get your White Card, maybe First Aid, and then buy the one specific ticket your target job actually asks for — when it asks for it.
Take the free 2-minute quiz, or get the full roadmap — which tickets, who's hiring, your resume, the medical, and your first swing — in The Guide.
Take the free quiz → See the Guide →General information only, current as at October 2026. Confirm exact pricing with the training provider before you pay — course prices move.
