Gas or Petroleum Operator – ANZSCO 399212

Gas or Petroleum Operator (ANZSCO 399212) is a skill level 3 occupation assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the ROL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 491, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 2 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 399212
Skill level: 3 – Certificate IV, or Certificate III with at least 2 years of on-the-job training, or 3 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: TRA
Occupation lists: ROL, CSOL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 3992 Chemical, Gas, Petroleum and Power Generation Plant Operators

Caveats apply to this occupation for some visas (for example minimum salary, business size or excluded positions). Check the caveat notes on the Home Affairs occupation list.

Gas or Petroleum Operator job description and duties

Operates equipment to pump oil and gas from wellheads, and refine and process petroleum products.

Also known as: Oil and Gas Well Treatment Operator, Oil, Gas and Pipe Tester, Petroleum and Gas Refining and Pumping Operator

Specialisations: Gas Compressor Turbine Operator, Petroleum Blending Plant Operator, Petroleum Terminal Plant Operator, Refinery Pipeline Operator

Tasks include

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
Inspecting, repairing, servicing and maintaining equipment
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

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

What the assessing authority expects: Trade qualification or apprenticeship plus paid employment in the trade, assessed by TRA.

Visa options for Gas or Petroleum Operator

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Gas or Petroleum Operator

2 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: Western Australia, Tasmania. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 No, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore No, offshore No. Not eligible for 190.
Victoria: 190 No, 491 Not yet open, onshore No, offshore No. Not eligible for 190.
Queensland: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the Queensland onshore or offshore list.
South Australia: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the SA Skilled Occupation List.
Western Australia: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore WA & interstate, offshore Yes. General – WASMOL Schedule 2: 491.
Tasmania: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore No. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
Australian Capital Territory: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the ACT occupation list (Canberra small-business owners may still qualify).
Northern Territory: 190 No, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for Gas or Petroleum Operator

TRA assesses trade occupations. Which program you use depends on your passport country and trade. Most applicants use the Migration Skills Assessment (a document-based check). If your passport country is listed against your trade, you must use the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, run by a TRA-approved training organisation, which adds a technical interview and, for licensed trades, a practical test.

The process

Check your program: Use TRA's Pathfinder: MSA, or OSAP if your passport country is listed for your trade.
Gather evidence: Qualification or apprenticeship papers, employer templates and pay evidence for every job.
Apply and pay: MSA through the TRA Online Portal; OSAP through an approved RTO.
Assessment: MSA: documents only (about 120 days). OSAP: documents, then technical interview, then practical if licensed.
Outcome: Outcome letter emailed to you.

What you need for this occupation

Migration Skills Assessment (most applicants): a qualification or apprenticeship directly relevant to the trade, plus paid employment in the trade shown by employer templates and pay evidence. Documents only, no interview.
Offshore Skills Assessment Program (listed passport countries): evidence checked by a TRA-approved training organisation, then a technical interview, plus a practical assessment for licensed trades.

Whether you must use OSAP depends on your passport country and trade. Check TRA's Pathfinder before applying.

Documents checklist

Passport ID page
Qualification certificates and transcripts or apprenticeship papers
TRA Employer Template for each period of employment
Pay evidence for each job (payslips, bank statements, tax records)
Self-employment evidence if applicable

Key facts

MSA fee: AUD 795 (review AUD 610)
MSA processing: About 120 days
Not available through MSA: Electricians, plumbers and air-conditioning mechanics (licensed trades)
Experience: Directly relevant paid employment in the trade is assessed; see TRA guidelines for your program
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the TRA skills assessment

No English test required. No English test score is required for the TRA skills assessment. Documents must be in English or translated, and OSAP applicants complete a technical interview. Your English is tested for the visa.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 3992

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Gas or Petroleum Operator?

The ANZSCO code for Gas or Petroleum Operator is 399212. It is a skill level 3 occupation.

Who assesses Gas or Petroleum Operator for Australian migration?

Gas or Petroleum Operator is assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Gas or Petroleum Operator apply for?

Gas or Petroleum Operator is on the ROL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream; 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Gas or Petroleum Operator?

2 of 8 states and territories currently list Gas or Petroleum Operator: Western Australia, Tasmania. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Gas or Petroleum Operator skills assessment?

No. No English test score is required for the TRA skills assessment. Documents must be in English or translated, and OSAP applicants complete a technical interview. Your English is tested for the visa.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, TRA and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.