Driller
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$152,600
Full-time annual
People employed
8,100
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assembles, positions and operates drilling rigs and related equipment for exploration or to extract ore, liquids or gases from the earth.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Operates drill rigs and related equipment to facilitate subsurface exploration and extraction of ore, liquids or gases
- Monitors drilling operations and adjusts equipment as necessary
- Inspects and maintains drilling equipment and tools
- Records drilling data and maintains accurate records
- Tests and evaluates drill samples to determine the composition of extracted material
- May supervise and direct the work of Driller's Offsiders
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
7%
Female rate
2%
Median age
38
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+4%
2,406 projected jobs
to 2035
+6%
3,733 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 3
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate III in Drilling Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Drilling Operations
Occupation ready
Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Underground Metalliferous Mining
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Drilling Operations
Progression pathway
Certificate II in Oil & Gas Drilling (Onshore) and Well Servicing
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Underground Coal Operations
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining
Progression pathway
Diploma of Drilling Oil & Gas (Onshore)
Specialised training
Diploma of Well Servicing Operations
Specialised training
Diploma of Drilling Operations
Specialised training
Certificate IV in Drilling Oil & Gas (Onshore)
Transferable skills
Certificate IV in Well Servicing Operations
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Drilling Oil & Gas (Onshore)
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Mining Exploration
Transferable skills
Certificate III in Well Servicing Operations
Transferable skills
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
214
ACT · May 2026
2
VIC · May 2026
26
NT · May 2026
14
SA · May 2026
42
NSW · May 2026
127
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Driller.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - North West
6,446 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - North West
6,446 employed
WA
+11.77%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South West
4,832 employed
WA
+11.21%
year on year
- 3
Bunbury
3,995 employed
WA
+19.25%
year on year
- 4
Central Queensland
3,900 employed
QLD
+17.43%
year on year
- 5
Mackay - Isaac - Whitsunday
3,757 employed
QLD
+10.86%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
9,300
Moved in from another occupation
1,490
Moved to another occupation
990
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
3
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 399231
- 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).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate. A missing CSOL flag is not a finding of visa ineligibility; check the current Home Affairs list.