Australian Education Pathways

Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators

VET / TAFE Moderate growth · ANZSCO skill level 3 · occupation 3992

Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Operators control the operation of chemical production equipment, pump gas and oil from wellheads, refine and process petroleum products, and operate boilers, turbogenerators and associated plant to generate electrical power.

People employed7,100
Median pay$3,532per week, full-time
Projected growth+4%over 5 years (to 2030)
Recent growth-14.1%per year
Median age48
Female share4%

How do you get there?

Highest qualification held by people in this job: 9.7% university · 67.8% vet / tafe · 19.1% school / entry (ABS Census via JSA).

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Where these jobs are

QLD 37.1% · VIC 21% · WA 16.8% · NSW 12.3% · SA 7.9% · NT 2.1% · TAS 1.5% · ACT 1.3%

Top industries

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services · Manufacturing · Mining.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia — Occupation profiles (Feb 2026) + Employment Projections (May 2025–2035). © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Figures are national estimates.