Oil & gas Jobs in Australia

Why Work in the Oil & Gas in Australia

1. Strong Economic Contribution

Australia's oil and gas industry is a major contributor to the national economy. It supports thousands of jobs and generates billions in export revenue annually. Working in this sector means being part of a critical pillar of Australia's economic infrastructure.

2. High Salary Potential

Jobs in the oil and gas sector are known for their competitive salary packages. Due to the technical expertise required and the often-remote locations, workers are compensated well—often significantly above the national average.

3. Career Growth and Global Opportunities

The oil and gas industry in Australia is technologically advanced and connected to international markets. Professionals can build a robust career with opportunities to work on large-scale projects both locally and overseas.

4. Cutting-Edge Technology and Innovation

Australia’s oil and gas operations often involve state-of-the-art technology in offshore drilling, LNG (liquefied natural gas) production, and exploration. This provides professionals with exposure to innovative practices and tools in engineering and project management.

5. Diverse Roles and Disciplines

The sector offers a wide range of careers, from engineering and geology to project management, health and safety, logistics, and environmental science. This diversity makes it accessible to professionals from many backgrounds.

6. Focus on Safety and Training

The industry maintains strict safety standards and offers comprehensive training programs. Employees receive ongoing education, which ensures skill development and workplace safety.

7. Remote Work Benefits and Roster Flexibility

Many roles, especially those in offshore or remote areas, operate on a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) basis. While demanding, this setup often includes extended time off between shifts, offering a better work-life balance for some individuals.

8. Contribution to Energy Transition

Australia is actively investing in cleaner technologies and sustainable practices within the oil and gas sector. Workers have the opportunity to be part of initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and supporting the global energy transition.

Creative Oil & Gas in Australia for International Candidates

Global Gateway: Australia’s Oil & Gas Sector

Australia stands as one of the world's most resource-rich nations, and its oil and gas industry is both a national economic driver and a global energy player. For international candidates, this sector opens doors to dynamic careers, world-class projects, and long-term professional growth.

Opportunities Across Borders

International professionals are highly valued in Australia’s oil and gas sector. From offshore platforms to LNG terminals and renewable integration projects, there’s demand for skilled engineers, geoscientists, project managers, health & safety experts, and more. If you bring experience, technical knowledge, and a drive to innovate, Australia is actively seeking talent like yours.

Pathways to Permanent Residency

Australia offers clear immigration pathways for qualified workers in the oil and gas industry through skilled migration programs. Many roles are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), enabling easier visa approvals and potential routes to permanent residency.

Work on Landmark Projects

Whether it’s the massive Gorgon LNG project in Western Australia or emerging hydrogen and carbon capture initiatives, Australia hosts some of the most ambitious energy projects in the world. As an international candidate, you’ll have a chance to work at the forefront of global energy innovation.

A Multicultural Workforce

Diversity is not just welcomed in the Australian oil and gas industry—it’s a strength. Teams are often composed of professionals from around the world, creating an inclusive environment that encourages new ideas, cross-cultural collaboration, and global perspectives.

Lifestyle and Location Advantage

Beyond the work itself, Australia offers a high standard of living, world-renowned natural beauty, and strong public infrastructure. Cities like Perth, Brisbane, and Darwin serve as key hubs for the energy industry while offering a safe and vibrant lifestyle for families and individuals alike.

Investing in the Future of Energy

Australia is not only maintaining its traditional oil and gas operations—it’s also actively investing in cleaner, more sustainable energy practices. International professionals entering the field now are part of a long-term evolution toward lower-carbon energy solutions and global sustainability goals.

Types of Oil & Gas Jobs in Australia

1. Engineering Roles

Australia’s oil and gas projects rely heavily on engineers across multiple disciplines. These roles are vital from project planning to operations.

Petroleum Engineers – Design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits.
Mechanical Engineers – Oversee mechanical systems, pumps, compressors, and maintenance.
Civil and Structural Engineers – Work on facility foundations, offshore platforms, and pipelines.
Electrical & Instrumentation Engineers – Handle power systems, controls, and instrumentation.

2. Drilling and Rig Operations

These roles involve direct involvement with exploration and production processes, particularly in offshore and remote inland sites.

Drillers – Operate drilling rigs and manage on-site extraction.
Derrickhands and Roughnecks – Support drilling operations and handle rig maintenance.
Toolpushers – Supervise rig operations and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

3. Geoscience and Exploration

Geoscientists play a key role in locating and evaluating oil and gas reserves across Australia’s resource-rich basins.

Geologists – Analyze rock formations to identify potential drilling locations.
Geophysicists – Use seismic data to map underground reservoirs.
Reservoir Engineers – Model fluid flow and optimize resource extraction.

4. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Given the high-risk nature of oil and gas operations, safety and environmental compliance are critical.

HSE Officers – Ensure worksite safety standards and procedures are followed.
Environmental Scientists – Monitor ecological impact and sustainability practices.
Occupational Health Specialists – Oversee worker health in remote or hazardous environments.

5. Project Management and Operations

Managing large-scale oil and gas developments requires experienced project and operations professionals.

Project Managers – Lead projects from planning to execution and delivery.
Operations Managers – Oversee production efficiency and daily operations at sites.
Supply Chain and Logistics Coordinators – Manage the transport of equipment and materials to remote locations.

6. Technical and Trade Roles

Skilled tradespeople are essential to keep operations running smoothly across facilities and rigs.

Electricians & Instrument Technicians – Install and maintain electrical systems and control panels.
Welders and Fabricators – Construct and repair piping and metal structures.
Maintenance Technicians – Perform inspections and repairs on critical systems.

7. Administrative and Support Roles

Behind every successful operation is a team handling finance, HR, procurement, and compliance.

HR and Recruitment Specialists – Manage workforce planning, especially for FIFO rosters.
Procurement Officers – Source equipment and coordinate vendor contracts.
Document Controllers – Maintain compliance and regulatory documentation.

Average Salary of Top 20 Job Profile of Oil & Gas in Australia

No.	Job Title	Avg. Salary (AUD)	Avg. Salary (USD)	Avg. Salary (INR)
1	Petroleum Engineer	180,000	118,800	9,900,000
2	Drilling Engineer	170,000	112,200	9,350,000
3	Reservoir Engineer	165,000	108,900	9,075,000
4	Production Engineer	150,000	99,000	8,250,000
5	Geologist	145,000	95,700	7,975,000
6	Geophysicist	150,000	99,000	8,250,000
7	Project Manager (Oil & Gas)	190,000	125,400	10,450,000
8	Offshore Installation Manager	200,000	132,000	11,000,000
9	HSE Manager	140,000	92,400	7,700,000
10	Subsea Engineer	160,000	105,600	8,800,000
11	Mechanical Engineer	130,000	85,800	7,150,000
12	Electrical Engineer	135,000	89,100	7,425,000
13	Instrumentation Engineer	125,000	82,500	6,875,000
14	Process Engineer	140,000	92,400	7,700,000
15	Maintenance Supervisor	120,000	79,200	6,600,000
16	Rig Manager	180,000	118,800	9,900,000
17	Driller	130,000	85,800	7,150,000
18	Derrickhand	100,000	66,000	5,500,000
19	Welder (Offshore/Industrial)	95,000	62,700	5,225,000
20	HSE Officer	110,000	72,600	6,050,000

Job Eligibility to Work in Oil & Gas in Australia for International Job Applicants.

Category	Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Geology, HSE, etc.) from a recognized institution.
Work Experience	2–5+ years of relevant industry experience (varies by job role); senior roles may require 10+ years.
English Language Proficiency	IELTS (minimum score 6.0–7.0 overall) or equivalent (e.g., TOEFL, PTE) as per visa and employer requirements.
Skill Assessment	Required for skilled migration (e.g., Engineers Australia for engineering roles, VETASSESS for trades).
Visa Type	Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage), 186 (Employer Nomination), 189/190 (Skilled Migration) or FIFO-specific work visas.
Occupations in Demand	Job must be listed on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) or STSOL.
Health and Character Checks	Mandatory medical exams and police clearance certificates are required as part of the visa process.
Employer Sponsorship	Many jobs require employer sponsorship under Subclass 482 or 186 visa streams.
Certifications & Licensing	May be required (e.g., White Card, Offshore Survival (BOSIET), First Aid, Electrical license, etc.).
Age Limit	Typically under 45 years of age for points-tested skilled visas (some exceptions apply).
Professional Memberships	Often beneficial (e.g., Engineers Australia, SPE, AIPM) but not mandatory.
Compliance with Safety Rules	Familiarity with Australian workplace safety standards (e.g., WHS laws) is essential.

General Roles and Responsibilities in Oil & Gas Jobs in Australia with 20 Job Profiles

No.	Job Title	General Roles and Responsibilities
1	Petroleum Engineer	Design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas; optimize production systems.
2	Drilling Engineer	Plan, develop, and supervise drilling operations; ensure safety and cost-efficiency.
3	Reservoir Engineer	Analyze reservoir behavior; model fluid flow; recommend recovery techniques.
4	Production Engineer	Oversee daily oil and gas production; troubleshoot and optimize production systems.
5	Geologist	Study rock formations; advise on exploration and drilling locations.
6	Geophysicist	Use seismic data to locate hydrocarbon deposits and guide exploration.
7	Process Engineer	Design and monitor systems for refining, processing, and transporting oil and gas.
8	Mechanical Engineer	Maintain and troubleshoot mechanical systems and equipment on sites and facilities.
9	Electrical Engineer	Design and maintain electrical systems in processing plants and offshore platforms.
10	Instrumentation Engineer	Calibrate and maintain sensors, control systems, and automated processes.
11	Project Manager	Lead oil and gas development projects; manage budget, resources, and timelines.
12	HSE Manager	Develop and implement Health, Safety & Environment policies and training programs.
13	HSE Officer	Conduct site inspections, ensure regulatory compliance, and report safety incidents.
14	Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)	Supervise offshore operations; manage crew, safety, and production efficiency.
15	Rig Manager (Toolpusher)	Oversee rig operations; ensure safety, scheduling, and equipment maintenance.
16	Driller	Operate drilling rigs and manage downhole tools and crew during operations.
17	Derrickhand	Handle drilling fluids, maintain pumps, and assist with rig operations.
18	Welder (Offshore/Onshore)	Fabricate and repair metal structures, pipelines, and equipment under high safety standards.
19	Maintenance Technician	Conduct preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical and electrical systems.
20	Logistics & Supply Officer	Manage procurement, transportation, and inventory of materials and equipment to remote sites.

General Job Eligibility to work in Oil & Gas in Australia with 20 Job Profiles

No.	Job Title	Education Requirement	Experience	Certifications/Licensing	Visa Pathway
1	Petroleum Engineer	Bachelor’s in Petroleum/Mechanical Engg.	3–5 years	Engineers Australia Skill Assessment	Subclass 482, 186, 189
2	Drilling Engineer	Bachelor’s in Petroleum/Mechanical Engg.	3–7 years	IWCF/BOSIET recommended	Subclass 482, 186
3	Reservoir Engineer	Bachelor’s in Petroleum Engineering	3–5 years	Engineers Australia Assessment	Subclass 482, 186
4	Production Engineer	Bachelor’s in Chemical/Mechanical Engg.	3–5 years	Site-specific inductions	Subclass 482, 186, 190
5	Geologist	Bachelor’s in Geology/Earth Sciences	2–5 years	Geological Society Membership (optional)	Subclass 189, 190
6	Geophysicist	Bachelor’s in Geophysics/Geoscience	2–5 years	Interpretation Software Knowledge	Subclass 189, 190
7	Process Engineer	Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering	3+ years	Engineers Australia Assessment	Subclass 189, 186
8	Mechanical Engineer	Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering	2–4 years	Engineers Australia Assessment	Subclass 482, 186
9	Electrical Engineer	Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering	2–4 years	Electrical license (state-based)	Subclass 482, 186
10	Instrumentation Engineer	Bachelor’s in E&I or Mechatronics	2–4 years	Instrumentation training certificates	Subclass 482, 186
11	Project Manager	Bachelor’s + PMP or MBA	7–10+ years	PMP, AIPM membership preferred	Subclass 482, 186
12	HSE Manager	Degree in HSE/Engineering/Science	7+ years	Cert IV WHS, NEBOSH, ISO experience	Subclass 482, 186
13	HSE Officer	Diploma/Degree in Safety/HSE	2–4 years	White Card, Cert IV in WHS	Subclass 482, 190
14	Offshore Installation Manager (OIM)	Engineering Degree	10+ years offshore	BOSIET, OPITO, Safety Case Management	Subclass 482, 186
15	Rig Manager (Toolpusher)	Diploma in Drilling/Engineering	10+ years rig ops	IWCF, Safety Management Systems	Subclass 482, 186
16	Driller	Certificate III/IV in Drilling	3–5 years	IWCF, BOSIET	Subclass 482
17	Derrickhand	Certificate III in Oil & Gas	2–4 years	Site inductions, safety tickets	Subclass 482
18	Welder (Offshore/Onshore)	Trade Certificate in Welding	2–4 years	Cert III Engineering Fabrication, AS 1796 Certification	Subclass 482, 190
19	Maintenance Technician	Trade/Technical Certificate	2–5 years	Electrical/Mechanical licenses	Subclass 482, 186
20	Logistics & Supply Officer	Diploma/Degree in Logistics/Supply Chain	2+ years	SAP/ERP knowledge preferred	Subclass 482, 190

Experience Required to work in Oil & Gas in Australia

Job Category	Role	Typical Experience Required	Notes
Engineering	Graduate/Junior Engineer	0–2 years	Entry-level roles; often require local or international internships.
	Mid-Level Engineer	3–5 years	Industry experience needed, especially on-site or project-based.
	Senior/Lead Engineer	6–10+ years	Required for project leadership, design authority, and team oversight.
Drilling & Rig Operations	Driller	3–5 years (including rig crew time)	Must have hands-on experience; offshore roles may require IWCF/BOSIET.
	Rig Manager (Toolpusher)	10+ years	Extensive leadership and operational experience required.
	Derrickhand/Roughneck	2–3 years	Typically promoted from entry-level floorhand or roustabout roles.
Geosciences	Geologist / Geophysicist	2–5 years	Data interpretation and field survey experience preferred.
	Senior Geoscientist	7–10+ years	Strategic exploration and reservoir modeling experience required.
Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)	HSE Officer	2–4 years	Field inspections, WHS documentation, incident reporting experience.
	HSE Manager	6–10+ years	Requires leadership, audits, compliance, and training program expertise.
Project & Operations Management	Project Engineer / Coordinator	3–6 years	Experience in planning and execution of oil & gas projects.
	Project Manager	8–12+ years	Cross-functional team leadership, budgeting, and client management.
	Operations Manager	10+ years	Requires offshore or plant management and cross-departmental expertise.
Trades & Technical Roles	Maintenance Technician	2–5 years	Must be skilled in preventive and reactive maintenance.
	Electrician / Instrument Tech	2–5 years	Licensed with fieldwork in oil & gas or industrial environments.
	Welder / Fabricator	2–4 years	ASME/AS certification, pipeline welding experience preferred.
Logistics & Support	Logistics/Supply Chain Coordinator	2–4 years	Experience with remote supply chain, procurement systems (e.g., SAP).
	Admin/HR FIFO Support	2+ years	FIFO knowledge and remote workforce planning an advantage.

Top Hiring Companies in Australia of International Candidates in Oil & Gas

Company	Headquarters / Key Operations	Hiring Focus	Visa Sponsorship
Woodside Energy	Perth, WA	LNG projects, offshore production, engineering, operations	Yes (Subclass 482, 186)
Santos Ltd	Adelaide, SA	Gas development, pipeline operations, drilling, HSE roles	Yes
Chevron Australia	Perth, WA (Gorgon, Wheatstone LNG)	Offshore LNG, engineering, maintenance, subsea, HSE	Yes
Shell Australia	Perth, QLD, NT (Prelude FLNG)	Floating LNG, process operations, geoscience, HSE	Yes
BHP	WA, QLD	Petroleum and gas exploration, engineering, drilling	Limited (role-specific)
INPEX Australia	Darwin, NT (Ichthys LNG)	LNG processing, instrumentation, subsea, offshore technicians	Yes
Origin Energy	Brisbane, QLD	Upstream gas operations, production engineering, geology	Occasionally (select roles)
APA Group	Multiple states	Pipeline operations, gas transport, project management	Yes
Beach Energy	Adelaide, SA	Oil & gas exploration, onshore/offshore field work	Yes
Worley	Global EPC firm based in Sydney	Engineering, design, procurement, project services	Yes
UGL (a CIMIC Group)	Nationwide	Electrical, instrumentation, construction and commissioning	Yes
Clough	WA and international projects	EPC roles in LNG, upstream oil & gas projects	Yes
Monadelphous	Perth, WA	Mechanical & electrical trades, FIFO support	Yes (trades & engineers)
Transocean	Offshore (International & WA)	Rig crew, drillers, rig managers, marine operations	Yes
Saipem Australia	Offshore EPC (WA-based)	Pipeline welding, offshore construction, engineering	Yes
Fugro	Perth, Darwin	Subsea services, geotechnical, marine surveying	Yes
Schlumberger (SLB)	Global; Operations in WA & NT	Drilling services, geophysics, wireline, offshore crews	Yes
Halliburton	QLD, NT, WA	Drilling, cementing, mud engineers, field specialists	Yes
Baker Hughes	WA, NT	Offshore services, MWD/LWD, tool specialists, engineers	Yes
Oceaneering	WA offshore support	Subsea robotics, ROV pilots, NDT, inspection, diving services	Yes