Roster patterns
7/7 FIFO roster — 7 days on, 7 days off
The 7/7 roster is an equal-time FIFO rotation: 7 consecutive days on swing at site, followed by 7 days of R&R at home. The 14-day cycle aligns neatly with the calendar fortnight, making it easy to plan around. It is popular in civil construction, road and rail infrastructure, and some remote healthcare roles.
How the 7/7 cycle works
On swing
7 days
1 week at site
R&R
7 days
1 week at home
Full cycle
14 days
repeating
28-day roster preview
Days 1–7 on swing, days 8–14 R&R, days 15–21 back on swing, days 22–28 R&R.
Planning a 7/7 roster with FIFO Planner
FIFO Planner supports the 7/7 equal rotation. Set your swing start date and the planner automatically calculates every future swing and R&R period. Because the 14-day cycle aligns with the fortnight, it is easy to see which public holidays fall on swing versus R&R using the Australian holiday overlay. Export your full schedule to Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, or Outlook in one click.
Who uses the 7/7 FIFO roster?
The 7/7 equal-time pattern appeals to workers and employers who want a predictable, balanced split between site and home time. It is most common in:
- Civil construction — Road, rail, and bridge projects across WA, QLD, and the NT where weekly crew rotations are logistically practical.
- Remote healthcare — Community health workers, paramedics, and mental health workers in remote and regional areas who benefit from regular, predictable home time.
- Renewable energy construction — Solar and wind farm build-out projects, particularly in regional NSW, SA, and WA, often use the 7/7 for construction crews.
- Smaller mining operations — Junior exploration and development projects where weekly crew changes are viable due to proximity to regional airports.
Because the 7/7 results in exactly 50% of the year at home, it is the fairest rotation from a work-life balance perspective and is sometimes used as a selling point when recruiting for hard-to-fill roles.
Pros and cons of the 7/7 roster
Advantages
- Equal time on and off — 50% of the year at home, 50% on site
- Short 7-day swings are far less mentally demanding than 14–28 day swings
- Weekly rhythm is easier to maintain routines, fitness, and relationships
- 14-day cycle aligns with fortnightly payroll — administratively simple
Disadvantages
- More flights per year (26 round trips) — higher travel fatigue and cost
- Lower earning potential than 2/1 or 4/2 — fewer days on site means less site allowance
- 7-day R&R includes travel days, leaving only 5–6 effective days at home
- Less common in major mining — fewer roles available than the 2/1 pattern
Common questions about the 7/7 roster
Is the 7/7 roster the same as a fortnight on, fortnight off roster?
No. A 7/7 is 7 days on and 7 days off (14-day cycle). A fortnight on/off roster is 14 days on and 14 days off (28-day cycle). Both are equal-time rotations but with different swing lengths.
How many days per year does a 7/7 FIFO worker spend on site?
Exactly half — approximately 182 days on site and 183 days at home per year. The 14-day cycle repeats approximately 26 times per year.
Is the 7/7 roster good for workers with families?
The 7/7 is generally considered family-friendly compared to longer swings. The maximum time away is 7 days, and you are home just as many days as you are away. FIFO Planner's family-share link lets your partner see your exact swing dates and plan the household around your R&R.
How does the 7/7 compare to the 8/6 roster?
The 7/7 is a true equal-time rotation (50/50). The 8/6 has a slightly longer swing (8 days) and shorter R&R (6 days), putting workers on site ~57% of the year vs 50% for the 7/7. Both run on a 14-day cycle. The 8/6 pays more due to additional site days.
Can I plan a 7/7 roster using FIFO Planner?
Yes. FIFO Planner supports the 7/7 equal rotation out of the box. Set your swing start date and the planner calculates every swing and R&R period. Export to Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, or Outlook with one click, and overlay Australian public holidays for your state.
7/7 roster calendars by state
See how your 7/7 swing schedule aligns with public holidays for your home state.