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Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators

ANZSCO 3992

Employed

7,100

Part-time share

3%

Female share

4%

Median weekly earnings

$3,532

Median age

48 yrs

Employment outlook

Declining

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia · ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

About this career

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.

What they typically do

  • Controlling equipment performing continuous and batch processes to process chemicals and natural gas, manufacture refined petroleum products, and blend petroleum base stocks to produce commercial fuels, lubricating oils and asphalt
  • Controlling the preparation, measuring and feeding of raw material and processing agents such as catalysts and filtering media into plant
  • Patrolling and inspecting equipment to ensure proper operation and setting operating controls on equipment
  • Analysing samples and readings and recording test data
  • Controlling records of production, quantities transferred and details of blending and pumping operations
  • Checking equipment for malfunctions and arranging maintenance
  • Operating power generation plant controls to produce required load
  • Monitoring operation of power generation plant and interpreting instrument readings
  • Authorising procedures to isolate high-voltage and low-voltage electrical apparatus and plant
  • Writing reports and maintaining records on equipment performance, instrument readings and switching operations
  • Carrying out routine operating tests

States and territories

Share of workers by location

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

Qualification pathways

These accredited qualifications can lead to a career as a Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators.

  • Certificate III in ESI Generation

    UEP30322 · AQF 3 · 6 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in ESI Generation Maintenance - Electrical Electronics

    UEP40322 · AQF 4 · 0 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in ESI Generation Maintenance (Mechanical)

    UEP40522 · AQF 4 · 0 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

    FBP40522 · AQF 4 · 1 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate III in Process Plant Operations

    PMA30120 · AQF 3 · 33 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology

    PMA40116 · AQF 4 · 22 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in Wind Power Generation

    UEP40622 · AQF 4 · 3 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in ESI Generation

    UEP40122 · AQF 4 · 4 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate II in Process Plant Operations

    PMA20116 · AQF 2 · 14 providers

    View qualification
  • Course in Wind Turbine Technician

    22687VIC · 0 providers

    View qualification
  • Course in Wind Sector Safety

    22686VIC · 1 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in ESI Generation Maintenance (Fabrication)

    UEP40422 · AQF 4 · 0 providers

    View qualification