Petroleum Engineer
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$180,000
Full-time annual
People employed
2,400
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans, develops and directs the engineering work in drilling, production and formation evaluation to achieve optimal exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas resources.
Specialisations
Scope note: Drill and blast engineers (mining) are excluded from this occupation. Drill and blast engineers (mining) are included in Occupation 243631 Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum).
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Plans, researches, designs and provides advice on engineering operations for the exploration, location and extraction of oil and gas
- Conducts studies to determine potential locations for drillings
- Uses computer models to determine ideal recovery processes, and simulate and predict reserve performance
- Analyses reservoir rock and fluid data to design optimum methods of controlling the flow of oil or gas from wells
- Monitors the evaluation of wells, well testing and well surveys
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
10%
Female rate
18%
Median age
39
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+11%
1,730 projected jobs
to 2035
+18%
2,865 projected jobs
WiseAffiliate linkMoving abroad to study?
Pay tuition and send money home at the real exchange rate with Wise.
Open a free Wise accountCredentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
214
ACT · May 2026
4
VIC · May 2026
20
NT · May 2026
20
SA · May 2026
49
NSW · May 2026
95
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Petroleum Engineer.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North West
3,145 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North West
3,145 employed
WA
+10.97%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South East
2,546 employed
WA
+4.77%
year on year
- 3
Perth - Inner
1,997 employed
WA
+13.08%
year on year
- 4
Perth - South West
1,304 employed
WA
+4.49%
year on year
- 5
Brisbane Inner City
1,295 employed
QLD
-4.57%
year on year
AiraloAffiliate linkNeed a local eSIM when you arrive?
Stay connected from day one with an affordable Airalo eSIM — 200+ countries covered.
Get your eSIMPossible next career moves
Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
1,945
Moved in from another occupation
150
Moved to another occupation
190
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 243632
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
Data confidence: estimate.