Site Allowance Calculator
Work out the total site or living-away allowance your FIFO roster earns you. Enter your daily allowance rate, how many days you spend on site each swing and how many swings you work in a year, and this calculator shows the allowance per swing and the annual total.
Enter Values
Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your daily site / living-away allowance in dollars (the per-day rate from your payslip, EBA or award).
- Enter the number of days you are on site in one swing (for example 8 for an 8/6 roster).
- Optionally change swings per year (defaults to 26, roughly a 2-weeks-on / 2-weeks-off pattern), then read the allowance per swing and annual allowance.
How it works
The allowance per swing is simply the daily allowance multiplied by the number of days on site: allowance per swing = daily allowance × days on site. The annual allowance multiplies that swing figure by the number of swings you work in a year: annual allowance = allowance per swing × swings per year. Total days on site per year is days on site × swings, which is handy for cross-checking your roster.
Worked example
Worked example. On an 8/6 roster you receive a $150 daily site allowance and work 26 swings a year. Allowance per swing = $150 × 8 = $1,200.00. Annual allowance = $1,200.00 × 26 = $31,200.00, across 8 × 26 = 208 days on site per year.
Common mistakes
- Confusing days on site with total roster days — count only the days the allowance is actually paid for, which may exclude travel days.
- Assuming the allowance is tax-free. Some allowances are taxed as normal income, some are concessionally taxed under LAFHA rules — check with payroll.
- Using the wrong number of swings. A true 2-and-2 year is about 26 swings, but rosters like 8/6 or 2/1 produce a different swing count.
Frequently asked questions
Is my site allowance taxable?
It depends. Some site allowances are treated as ordinary taxable income, while genuine living-away-from-home benefits can be tax-free or concessionally taxed under the ATO's LAFHA rules. Confirm the treatment of your specific allowance with payroll or a registered tax agent.
How many swings are in a year?
It depends on your roster. A 2-weeks-on / 2-weeks-off pattern is roughly 26 swings a year, but shorter rosters such as 8/6 fit more swings in. Set the swings-per-year field to match your actual roster.
Related tools
- Salary vs Day Rate Comparison Calculator
- Site Allowance Tax Impact Calculator
- Hourly Rate to Annual FIFO Salary Calculator
- FIFO Roster Calculator
- Swings Until Savings Goal Calculator
- FIFO Pack Weight Calculator
Explore more in Time, Date, Roster & FIFO.
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