Operates equipment to pump oil and gas from wellheads, and refine and process petroleum products.

Skill Level

3

Alternative Titles

• Oil and Gas Well Treatment Operator
• Oil, Gas and Pipe Tester
• Petroleum and Gas Refining and Pumping Operator

Specialisations

• Gas Compressor Turbine Operator
• Petroleum Blending Plant Operator
• Petroleum Terminal Plant Operator
• Refinery Pipeline Operator

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Gas or Petroleum Operator is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Three Programs for skills assessment with TRA.
  • Program A-  Offshore Skills Assessment (OSAP)
    • If your passport is on this OSAP Nominated Occupation and Country list next to your occupation, you must apply through OSAP. If your passport is not on this list, apply through Program B or C.
    • OSAP Pathway 1– for applicants who do not hold an Australian qualification in their trade but hold a qualification which is equivalent to an AQF cert
    • OSAP Pathway 2 –  for applicants who hold:
      • a relevant Australian qualification, or
      • a current identified Australian occupational licence
    • To be eligible to apply for the skills assessment program, you must be able to show you have completed full-time paid employment in your nominated occupation, or an occupation that is directly related to your nominated occupation.
  • Program B Migration Skills Assessment
    • You must have a qualification directly related to your nominated occupation or at least 3 years of relevant experience
    • If you have obtained a qualification internationally or an Australian qualification that was not through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full time or equivalent post-qualification experience
    • If you have obtained an Australian qualification issued through the Australian Recognition of Learning process, you are required to demonstrate 3 years full-time or equivalent post-qualification experience OR 6 years full-time or equivalent experience which can be either pre- or post-qualification
  • Pathway B- Temporary Skills Shortage Skills Assessment
    • For applicants who require a skills assessment to apply for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)

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.

Tasks

• 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

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.
In Australia:
AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

In New Zealand:
NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Registration or licensing may be required.

Occupations in this Group

• 399211 Chemical Plant Operator
• 399212 Gas or Petroleum Operator
• 399213 Power Generation Plant Operator