Fly-in Fly-out/Drive-in Drive-out practices and health service delivery in rural areas of Australia

Many Australians have limited access to health care services due to a range of barriers including living a considerable distance from health services. Furthermore, there are significant shortages of healthcare workers in many rural and remote areas. Traditionally, many people have had to either travel long distances to access healthcare, or go without. Telehealth is an alternative approach, using telecommunications and informatioIt is recognised that rural and remote health services in Australia are in many cases challenged by a combination of inadequate facilities and insufficient staff. According to anecdotal accounts, this is further exacerbated by the demands placed on these health services by fly-in fly-out, drive-in drive-out, and bus-in bus-out workers and visitors (from here on referred to collectively as FIFO/DIDO). The focus of the current investigation was FIFO/DIDO in rural Australia involving mine workers, seasonal agricultural workers, and grey nomads. technology to supplement face-to-face delivery of healthcare services

Fly-in fly-out workforce practices in Australia: the effects on children and family relationships

This paper summarises the emerging literature on the effect on children and family relationships of having a fly-in fly-out/drive-in drive-out FIFO/DIDO parent. Abstract: A limited but growing amount of Australian research into fly-in fly-out (FIFO) work practices tentatively suggests that a FIFO lifestyle can have positive, negative or few effects on children and on family relationships, depending on the circumstances. Effects vary according to a range of contextual factors, such as workplace cultures, rosters and recruitment practices, as well as community and home environments, and individual characteristics. As a result, there is a high level of complexity involved in understanding the FIFO lifestyle and how it may impact on outcomes for children and family relationships. Substantial limitations in regards to the available evidence highlight the need for further research rather than providing any robust conclusions. Key messages: Limited studies exist that explore the effects on children and family relationships of having a FIFO parent. Research to date indicates that FIFO families are likely to be healthy, functioning families that demonstrate high levels of communication and cohesion. Most FIFO couples report healthy, satisfying and cohesive relationships. Potential impacts on children include: negative emotions experienced as a result of the FIFO parent\u27s absence; increased levels of behaviour problems (particularly amongst boys) when the parent is away for longer periods; greater experiences of bullying at school; and increased pressure to succeed academically. However, some children view the extended time that a FIFO parent has at home as a positive outcome. Parenting is a challenge for FIFO families, particularly for partners at home to manage the continual transitioning from solo parenting to co-parenting. Providing for the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of children can be difficult without the support of a partner at home. The ability to communicate regularly, privately, effectively and spontaneously is an important factor that mediates the impact a FIFO lifestyle can have on children and families. Family support services, policy-makers and practitioners need to be aware of the unique set of challenges faced by FIFO workers and their families. Further research is needed that is longitudinal, engages with all types of FIFO workers and their families, and includes data collection prior to entry into FIFO work. A FIFO lifestyle does not suit everyone. Families considering FIFO should thoroughly review the likely advantages and disadvantages to all members of the family. Before commencing FIFO work, families should identify the resources and supports available at the work site and in the home environment and be aware of pressure points and coping strategies

Mining, regional Australia and the economic multiplier

Mining in Australia has traditionally delivered a strong development multiplier for regional communities where most mines are based. This relationship has weakened in recent decades as a result of the introduction of mobile workforces - typically known as fly in, fly out. Political parties have responded with policies known as ‘royalties for regions’, though in designing them they overlooked long established Indigenous arrangements for sharing benefits with areas affected directly by mining

Do holistic human resource management practices make a difference to fly-in fly-out workers’ job quality? An exploratory investigation

In common with ongoing research into human resource management (HRM), there are attributes of jobs that are associated with job quality, which are considered important in attracting and retaining employees. To date, however, analysis has omitted the fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce. It is important to consider whether it is possible to develop a strategic HRM approach for FIFO workers where commuting arrangements deviate from the norm. This article fills a gap in the literature by using a four-dimensional job-quality(JQ) framework to analyse factors associated with job quality and HRM. There search was undertaken at two FIFO-dependent workplaces in Western Australia. The findings show that one workplace was using bundles of HR practices that spanned all four JQ dimensions; the other concentrated mainly on two dimensions, a consequence which is the potential to lead to suboptimal outcomes for the organisation and their FIFO employees

Fluctuations in non-resident populations (FIFO/DIDO) and use of rural and remote health services in Australia

Purpose: Some rural/remote areas in Australia face combined challenges of limited resources and insufficient health care workers to cope with existing demands. In some regions, the local non-resident population increases dramatically with fly-in/fly-out and drive-in/drive-out (FIFO/DIDO) mining/seasonal workers and recreational visitors. However, little is known about the extent to which these populations put pressure on local health services. Methods: A rapid literature review was undertaken to define the size and scope of three groups (mining workers, seasonal workers and ‘grey nomads’) and investigate their impact on the use of rural health services. Findings: Non-resident workers and recreational grey nomads comprise over 25% of rural populations in some areas of Australia. Little empirical evidence is available on the impact of these populations on health services, although available data suggest demand is similar to that of permanent residents. Further, some data indicates that musculoskeletal injuries (mining and seasonal workers) and age-related conditions (grey nomads) are common. Discussion: Pressure on health services is exacerbated in some areas due to large and unpredictable fluctuations in FIFO/DIDO populations. Data on patients’ usual residence postcode could be used to quantify FIFO/DIDO populations; and inform planning and resource management in rural/remote health services

Social impact of mining survey: Aggregate results queensland communities

This is the final report from a study into the social impact of mining in Queensland

GST distribution review: final report

The Panel conducting the Review was asked to consider whether the current approach to distributing the GST (according to the principle of horizontal fiscal equalisation, hereafter referred to as HFE) would ensure that Australia is best placed to respond to the expected significant structural changes in the economy and would maintain public confidence in financial relationships within the Federation. However, the commission was not given without restrictions. The Terms of Reference also state that the Review will be guided by a number of factors, including that: the long-standing practice of equalisation between States has served Australia well the GST will continue to be distributed to the States on the basis that they should have equal capacity to provide services and infrastructure to their citizens GST will be distributed as ‘untied’ payments the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) will continue to make recommendations on the distribution of the GST.2 In addition, there is no extra Commonwealth revenue available with which to ‘buy’ reform, or smooth any transition. The Panel has therefore proceeded on the basis that States that are fiscally weaker at any given time must continue to have the capacity to provide substantially similar levels of services and infrastructure to their citizens from within the current revenue envelope

Gambling in Rural and Remote South Australia

This item is only available electronically.There is a paucity of research that has examined what motivates rural and regional community members to engage in gambling, as well as what factors may impede their access to treatment for gambling. There are likely differences between rural locations and metropolitan regions. Accordingly, the aim of this review was to examine what is known from existing literature concerning people’s motivations to gamble, risk factors for gambling, and factors associated with treatment seeking and service delivery and how this might differ between rural and non-rural settings. Future research remains necessary to discover what motivates the rural population to gamble, and what prevents them from seeking gambling treatment. A better understanding of how gambling in rural and remote communities is distinct from metropolitan areas may inform appropriate and effective service delivery.Thesis (M.Psych(Clinical)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 201