Gas or Petroleum Production Technician

A Gas or Petroleum Production Technician monitors and maintains equipment at onshore or offshore gas and petroleum extraction facilities. They perform routine inspections, troubleshoot operational issues, record production data, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations set by state regulators and the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). The role involves shift work and direct responsibility for keeping production systems running safely and efficiently.

Monitor pressure gauges, flow meters, temperature indicators, and automated control systems to track production rates and equipment performance in real time. Conduct daily visual inspections of wellheads, pipelines, manifolds, separation equipment, and compressors for leaks, corrosion, abnormal vibration, or operational anomalies. Collect water, oil, and gas samples from designated points and perform basic on-site testing such as API gravity determination or hydrogen sulphide (H2S) monitoring. Record production figures, maintenance activities, equipment alarms, and environmental observations in digital or paper logbooks and production reporting systems. Respond to equipment shutdowns or alarms by following standard operating procedures, isolating affected sections, and conducting preliminary troubleshooting before escalating to technicians or engineers. Operate isolation valves, regulators, and switchover systems to manage flow, redirect product between tanks or pipelines, or safely depressurise equipment during maintenance. Perform routine maintenance tasks including replacing filter cartridges, seals, or gaskets; checking belt tensions; and lubricating mechanical components according to manufacturer specifications. Test safety systems such as pressure relief valves, emergency shutdown (ESD) systems, and gas detection equipment, and document results for compliance with Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and state regulations.

The standard entry pathway requires a Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least two years of on-the-job training (ABS skill level 3). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and extended offshore stints (sometimes 2 to 4 weeks away from home). The industry's long-term future in Australia is uncertain, which may limit advancement and job security. You're also tied to where the projects are, not where you want to live.

Onshore work is limited and concentrated near existing facilities, making relocation essential for most positions.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 3992, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Adapt energy distribution schedulescore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Documentationcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Active Listening
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Basic Arithmetic and Numerical Accuracy
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Process Improvement Identification
• Research and Analysis
• Stakeholder Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Gas or Petroleum Production Technician workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026