Hi Anni
I have a background in driving trucks and the outdoor working life, have no kids at home and am in my 40s.  My wife is going to stay in Melbourne and I am ready to start work in the mines anywhere as soon as I can……have looked on career one, sent emails to anyone that mentions or works at mines including recuitment agencys and all I get is NOTHING available.  So where are all these great money making oppotunities and jobs hiding.?  We hear of people with no experience working on these trucks and all sorts of other positions.  Is this just talk for advertising. ? Surely a man with experience prepared to live almost anywhere and keen to work is eaiser to locate than a family.?  Looking forward to your reply and answers of maybe a possitive position.
Regards Murray
Taking the opportunity to increase your income now & drastically reduce your debt would be something I would seriously urge you to consider!  FIFO (fly in fly out) opportunities are available for all sorts of jobs all over the country.  
 
We moved our family from Qld to Perth 2 yrs ago as my hubby was able to double his income with the resources boom going on over here.  It's been one of the hardest things we have ever done personally – moving 2 kids from schools, friends & family, finding decent rental accomodation was a nightmare (we didn't find "decent" but settled for "liveable") …  but financially the benefits have been remarkable.  We have halved our mortgage in 2 years & can now plan our future with far greater financial security and possiblities than we ever thought open to us.

We are returning to our Qld property in coming months but still see lots of opportunities to maintain higher incomes – FIFO opportunities are now available from most capital & larger regional cities to lots of mines.  Obviously the mining sector might not be for everyone, but it's worked a treat for us.  Just be prepared for it to be really tough going – if it was easy everyone would be doing it.  (& the high income isn't just due to shortage of workers but also the crappy conditions & leaving your family for weeks at a time)  We did find some negativity directed at us re the decision but found that was more about their circumstances than our decisions which we felt were good for our family.  The resources boom will come to an end eventually & our plan is to be financially secure well before that happens.

Good luck to you!!
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