Discover how to become a petroleum engineer in Australia – qualifications, average salary ($120K–$250K+), major oil and gas projects, and proven visa sponsorship tips for skilled migration success.
Introduction
Australia’s oil and gas sector still offers some of the highest engineering salaries in the world, even as the energy transition accelerates. Experienced petroleum engineers regularly earn $150,000–$250,000+ AUD, and the occupation remains on the skilled migration priority list. This guide covers everything you need: recognised qualifications, current salary benchmarks, major upstream projects hiring now, and practical visa pathways that actually work for petroleum engineers in 2025–2026.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Work as a Petroleum Engineer in Australia?
Engineers Australia assesses petroleum engineering under the professional engineer category. You need a four-year, Washington Accord-accredited bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in petroleum, chemical, mechanical, or a closely related discipline.
Top Australian universities offering relevant programs include the University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Adelaide, Curtin University, and the University of Western Australia. If your degree is from outside the Washington Accord countries, Engineers Australia will evaluate it through a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR).
Most employers also expect at least three to five years of upstream experience for mid-level roles. Fresh graduates can still enter via graduate programs at Woodside, Santos, Chevron, or Shell, but international applicants usually need solid industry experience to secure visa sponsorship.
Petroleum Engineer Salary in Australia: Latest 2025 Figures
Location and experience drive the biggest salary differences.
– Entry-level (0–3 years): $95,000 – $130,000 AUD
– Mid-level (4–9 years): $140,000 – $190,000 AUD
– Senior/Lead (10+ years): $200,000 – $280,000+ AUD
– Fly-in fly-out (FIFO) roles in Western Australia or Northern Territory often add 20–40% loading plus bonuses.
Perth remains the highest-paying city because of proximity to the North West Shelf and Browse Basin projects. Recent data from SEEK and Hays Salary Guide (2025) show average total packages for petroleum engineers sitting at $178,000 AUD nationally, with the top 10% exceeding $260,000.
Superannuation (11.5% in 2025), site allowances, and performance bonuses push real take-home figures even higher on major projects.
Current Oil and Gas Projects Hiring Petroleum Engineers
Despite the energy transition, several multi-billion-dollar projects continue to create demand:
– Woodside’s Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 (WA) – drilling, reservoir, and subsea roles
– Santos Barossa Gas Project (Northern Territory) – offshore production engineers
– Chevron Gorgon and Wheatstone maintenance/optimisation teams
– Shell Prelude FLNG and QGC onshore coal-seam gas
– INPEX Ichthys Phase 2 expansion
– Beach Energy Waitsia and Otway Basin developments
These projects frequently sponsor under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visas when local talent is insufficient.
Best Visa Pathways for Petroleum Engineers in 2025–2026
Petroleum Engineer (ANZSCO 233612) sits on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), giving you multiple strong options.
1. Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – points-tested, no sponsor needed. Aim for 90+ points (age under 33, superior English, 8+ years experience).
2. Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) – adds 5 state nomination points. Western Australia and South Australia actively nominate petroleum engineers.
3. Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) – 15 extra points, leads to PR after three years.
4. Employer-sponsored 482 TSS (medium-term stream) → 186 ENS direct PR pathway – the fastest route if you already have a job offer.
Visa sponsorship tips that actually work:
– Target companies on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) legacy list or Labour Agreement streams.
– Highlight niche skills (carbon capture readiness, geothermal crossover, subsea tie-backs).
– Get your skills assessment from Engineers Australia first – it takes 4–8 weeks and is mandatory for almost every visa.
How to Maximise Your Chances of Visa Approval
Start with a positive Engineers Australia outcome letter. Then lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with maximum points claimed. Western Australia issued invitations at 90 points for 190/491 in the latest rounds.
Many engineers combine a 482 visa (2–3 months processing) while waiting for PR invitation. Once you secure sponsorship, the 186 direct PR stream often processes in under 12 months.
Conclusion
Petroleum engineering remains one of the most lucrative and visa-friendly engineering careers in Australia. Combine a recognised qualification, solid upstream experience, and a strategic visa approach to unlock salaries well above $150,000 and a clear path to permanent residency. Start your Engineers Australia skills assessment today – it’s the first step every successful applicant takes.
