How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Australia: careers in Engineering

A petroleum engineer finds and extracts oil and natural gas from the earth. This is a precise, skilled field that needs strong technical study and hands-on experience. Engineers here fall under the Mining Engineers group (ANZSCO 233612).

They work with geologists and earth scientists to assess reserves and plan drilling. They manage safety checks, meet legal rules, and control costs at every stage of a project.

About 2,400 petroleum engineers work in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Western Australia has 61% of all roles and Queensland has about 21%. Future demand is strong (Your Career, 2025). Most hold a bachelor’s degree; 32% also hold a higher degree (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025).

To enter the field, engineers need a degree in petroleum engineering or a related area. Engineers Australia runs the National Engineering Register for formal recognition. Some states also require engineers to register by law.