From FIFO work to six investment properties

realestate.com.au’s 2 March 2026 feature follows Michael, a 28-year-old metallurgist working in Western Australia’s resources sector. It reports six properties bought for approximately $2.7 million in total, with a portfolio he valued at around $4 million at publication.

Savings came before the mining salary

Michael began building his deposit while studying, working in retail and nightfill. After graduating, his higher income helped him buy a four-bedroom house in Perth for around $300,000 in 2021. He followed it with another similarly priced property in regional WA.

He made his first three purchases independently, then worked with InvestorKit on three further purchases in regional Victoria and northern Queensland. The article distinguishes those stages of his journey rather than attributing the entire portfolio to one service.

Balancing growth with holding costs

Michael described saving a 20 per cent deposit for each purchase, checking rental yields and spreading his investments across states. He wanted enough rental income to support the properties while continuing to grow the portfolio.

For Michael, investing also served a practical goal: creating options beyond a physically demanding FIFO career. The feature connects the properties to that longer-term decision about work and lifestyle.