Abstract: The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, The Hon Simon Crean MP, announced an Inquiry into the use of ‘fly-in, fly-out’ (FIFO) and ‘drive-in, drive-out’ (DIDO) workforce practices in regional Australia by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia (August, 2011). The Terms of Reference for this inquiry were to inquire and report on: 1. the extent and projected growth in FIFO/DIDO work practices, including in which regions and key industries this practice is utilised; 2. costs and benefits for companies and individuals, choosing a FIFO/DIDO workforce as an alternative to a resident workforce; 3. the effect of a non-resident FIFO/DIDO workforce on established communities, including community wellbeing, services and infrastructure; 4. the impact on communities sending large numbers of FIFO/DIDO workers to mine sites; 5. long term strategies for economic diversification in towns with large FIFO/DIDO workforces; 6. key skill sets targeted for mobile workforce employment, and opportunities for ongoing training and development; 7. provision of services, infrastructure and housing availability for FIFO/DIDO workforce employees; 8. strategies to optimise FIFO/DIDO experience for employees and their families, communities and industry; 9. potential opportunities for non-mining communities with narrow economic bases to diversify their economic base by providing a FIFO/DIDO workforce; 10. current initiatives and responses of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments; and 11. any other related matter. (http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ra/fifodido/tor.htm retrieved 14/09/2011) In response to the announcement of this Parliamentary Inquiry, ACELG engaged Dr Robyn Morris at ECU to undertake a brief scoping study to evaluate if there is a role for ACELG in this space that might complement the Inquiry activities of the Standing Committee on Regional Australia.