ANZSCO 3992

Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators

Overview

EMPLOYED

9,500

PART-TIME SHARE

3%

FEMALE SHARE

5%

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

$3,424

MEDIAN AGE

48

ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

-100

About this data

Summary

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.

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

ANZSCO Classification

Details

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    Earnings and Hours

    Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
    Source: Share of workers who work full-time hours: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Average full-time hours worked per week: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Median full-time earnings per week and Median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023, customised report.
    Note: median earnings data have not been produced for some occupations where there is a high standard error, and are published with "N/A" values.
    Earnings and Hours Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators All Occupations
    Share of workers who work full-time hours 97% 70%
    Average full-time hours worked per week 51 hours 44 hours
    Median full-time earnings per week $3,424 $1,697
    Median hourly earnings $83 $43

    Industries

    Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators work in industries like:

    Source: Ranked using ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average data, custom report.
    Note: industries that comprise less than 5% of an occupation have been suppressed.

    States and territories

    New South Wales

    16.6%

    Victoria

    20.3%

    Queensland

    27.6%

    South Australia

    7.1%

    Tasmania

    1.0%

    Northern Territory

    3.7%

    Australian Capital Territory

    1.0%

    Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Detailed, August 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia trend data.

    Age and gender

    Age and Gender Profile
    Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Age and Gender Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators All Occupations
    Median age 48 years 39 years
    Female share of employment 5% 48%
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age Profile (% Share) All Occupations Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators
    15–19 5.2 0.4
    20–24 9.1 2.2
    25–34 22.7 15.2
    35–44 22.3 26.5
    45–54 20.4 30.3
    55–59 8.8 14.3
    60–64 6.5 8.5
    65 and Over 4.9 2.7

    Education

    Visit

    • Your Career to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Highest Level of Educational Attainment (% Share) All Occupations Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Plant Operators
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 12.2 1.9
    Bachelor degree 23.2 7.8
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.1 13.9
    Certificate III/IV 19.5 53.9
    Year 12 15.9 8.7
    Year 11 4.0 2.7
    Year 10 and below 9.7 7.7
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      Occupation profiles data

      This file contains data displayed on the Occupation Profile pages.

      Use of data in this file must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      Occupation profiles data - November 2024.xlsx

      occupation_profiles_data_-_november_2024.xlsx946664

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      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the skill-based classification system used to categorise occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. ANZSCO provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of occupation data. Visit the ABS website to learn how ANZSCO works. Jobs and Skills Australia displays data for occupations that are defined by ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.3.