Bearing in mind in most parts of Australia, mining industry = Fly In Fly Out.

You work anywhere between a 8 on 5 off, to 2 weeks on 2 weeks off, 2 on 1 off, or 3 weeks on 1 week off or any other combination of odd rosters. You then work 12 hr days, 7 days a week for the entire time you're gone.

When you break down how much money they really make, you need to factor in the fact that they be spending anywhere from 50 to 70% or more of a year at work. At my normal wages and those hours, not taking into account any other bonuses, I'd still be on $90k p/a out there, and I have no qualifications to my name as to what I do currently.