Roster patterns
8/6 FIFO roster — 8 days on, 6 days off
The 8/6 roster runs on a 14-day cycle: 8 days on swing at site, followed by 6 days of R&R at home. Because the cycle aligns with a two-week calendar period, the swing and R&R dates shift predictably, making it easier to plan ahead for family commitments and travel.
How the 8/6 cycle works
On swing
8 days
at site
R&R
6 days
at home
Full cycle
14 days
2-week repeating
28-day roster preview
Two full 8/6 cycles shown across 28 days.
Planning an 8/6 roster with FIFO Planner
FIFO Planner includes a built-in 8/6 Day Pattern template. Set your swing start date and the planner handles the rest — calculating every future swing and R&R period, overlaying Australian public holidays for your state, and letting you export the full schedule as an ICS file to your calendar.
Who uses the 8/6 FIFO roster?
The 8/6 suits operations that want a short cycle with slightly more on-site time than the equal-time 7/7. Common sectors include:
- Mining operations — Mid-size gold, copper, and nickel mines in WA and QLD where the 14-day cycle aligns with fortnightly payroll and crew change logistics.
- Oil and gas onshore — Gas compression and pipeline maintenance crews in remote WA and the NT where an 8-day swing balances site productivity with crew fatigue management.
- Remote construction — Fly-in fly-out construction teams on site upgrades, camp builds, and infrastructure maintenance where short, frequent rotations keep morale high.
- Offshore support — Some supply vessel and dive support vessel crew schedules operate on an 8/6 or similar short cycle.
The 8/6 is administratively convenient because its 14-day cycle aligns exactly with the standard Australian fortnightly pay period, making payroll and site allowance calculations straightforward.
Pros and cons of the 8/6 roster
Advantages
- 14-day cycle aligns with fortnightly payroll — simple administration
- Short 8-day swings are manageable — less burnout than longer rotations
- Predictable schedule: dates repeat on a consistent fortnight pattern
- More site days than 7/7 (~208 vs 182 per year) — higher earning potential
Disadvantages
- 6-day R&R minus travel days leaves only 4–5 effective days at home
- High flight frequency (26 round trips per year) — significant travel fatigue
- Less home time than the 7/7 (43% vs 50% of the year)
- Not as widely available as the 2/1 in large-scale mining operations
Common questions about the 8/6 roster
How many days per year does an 8/6 FIFO worker spend on site?
On an 8/6 roster each 14-day cycle has 8 days on site and 6 days at home. Over 365 days this works out to approximately 208 days on site and 157 days at home — roughly 57% of the year at site.
How does the 8/6 compare to the 7/7 roster?
Both run on a 14-day cycle but the 8/6 has 2 extra days on site per cycle. Over a year the 8/6 gives ~208 site days vs ~182 for the 7/7. The 7/7 is true equal time (50/50); the 8/6 tips the balance slightly toward site. The 8/6 pays more due to additional site allowance days.
Why does the 8/6 align with fortnightly payroll?
The 8/6 cycle is exactly 14 days — matching the standard Australian fortnightly pay period. This means each pay cycle always contains the same number of swing days, making site allowances and overtime calculations consistent and predictable for both workers and payroll teams.
Is the 8/6 roster suitable for families?
The short 8-day swing is relatively manageable for family life, but the 6-day R&R (minus travel days) only leaves about 4–5 days at home. Workers with school-age children often find the weekly routine challenging. FIFO Planner's family-share links let your partner track your swing countdown so the household can plan around your R&R.
Can I export my 8/6 roster to my phone calendar?
Yes. FIFO Planner generates an ICS file for your entire 8/6 schedule. Import it into Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, or Microsoft Outlook with one click. The calendar updates automatically and includes Australian public holiday overlays for your state.
8/6 roster calendars by state
See how your 8/6 swing schedule aligns with public holidays for your home state.