FIFO is great in a lot of ways (and hard in others!) but what do you do on your downtime? Here's some suggestions for fun and profit for your off weeks.

Love Op-Shopping and Garage Sales? Online Reselling May Be Your Jam

If you’re the type who loves a good deal, online reselling can be a fun and profitable hobby. Many FIFO workers pick up items locally, such as tools, collectibles, second-hand gear, and sell them on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree. With a smartphone and some basic research, you can list items quickly, manage sales remotely, and even automate postage when you’re on site.

The trick is to plan your business to fit within your time frames and your energy. There's great money in picking up free couches, refurbing them and then selling them, but do you have the space? How to do you sell the items you find and polish up?

Otherwise, look at focusing on things you know well. Great quality tools and gear might look dusty and like junk to begin with, but if you know your stuff and you know what's worth cash, you can spot bargains and make money easily.

As a tradie, you’ll know which tools hold value. If you’re into camping, outdoor gear is also a great niche. Start small, keep good records of purchases and sales, and you’ll soon see patterns in what sells best.

Specialty Freelancing – Use What You Know

FIFO workers build a huge range of skills that translate beautifully into freelancing. Maybe you’ve got strong safety experience and can write site induction materials. Maybe you’re handy with spreadsheets, project planning, or training documents. Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr make it easy to sell those skills online without a big investment.

You can work on projects between swings, or take smaller tasks that fit around your roster. It’s flexible, can build into something bigger, and gives you extra income that doesn’t depend on a physical worksite.

Contract work can be lucrative and easy to handle on the go – you can take a laptop and work anywhere after all! You just need to find the right company or person who wants your skills!

Hands-On Hobbies – Build Something Real

Many FIFO workers find creative release in hands-on hobbies like woodworking, leatherwork, or custom fabrication. These kinds of crafts can start as relaxation and grow into a thriving side business. Locally made, custom pieces sell well online and at markets – and word of mouth in FIFO communities is strong.

If you’ve ever thought, “I could sell these,” you probably can. Just remember: treat it like a business. Keep receipts, track materials, and use simple accounting tools like Xero to see what’s actually making money. The ATO cares about the intent to make money, and here at Northwest Accountancy we can help you figure out when you need an ABN, how to plan and manage your finances, and so on. Just drop us an email and ask!

Niche your product for the best prices – hand carved items like carousel horses go for thousands and thousands, and while not every one has the drive to make large hand-crafted items like that, the better you are in one specific area, the easier your marketing gets. 

The Key to Making a Side Hustle Work is Planning and Prep!

The best side hustles fit around your energy levels, time off, and existing skills. Start small, keep it fun, and remember to keep an eye on cashflow. We're here to help with all of this – helping you to understand your numbers, build your idea and then execute ... PROFITABLY. You’ll also need to plan for GST, tax, and record-keeping when your side hustle income becomes regular.

Side hustles can be more than just extra cash – they can be so much fun! If you're kicking around some ideas, why not book a chat with us and let's get some solid plans together!

Book a Profit First chat with Jodi and Kari today!