OSCA 399133

Power Generation Plant Operator

Overview

  • Employed persons

    2,200

  • Employment status

    93.5% Full time

    6.7% Part time

  • Median age

    49 years

  • Employment by sex

    2.6% Female

    97.1% Male

    Almost completely male dominated

  • Indigenous employment share

    2.1%

  • Main employing industry

    Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services

Indicator Power Generation Plant Operator Total employment
Employed persons 2,200 12,049,400
Median age 49 years 40 years
Full-time share 93.5% 64.2%
Part-time share 6.7% 35.8%
Female employment share 2.6% 48.5%
Male employment share 97.1% 51.5%
Gender segregation intensity scale Almost completely male dominated Gender balanced
Indigenous employment share 2.1% 2.2%
Main employing industry Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Health Care and Social Assistance
Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

Occupation overview

Power Generation Plant Operators operate, control, maintain and monitor machines and associated plant equipment used to generate electrical power, including power generated from renewable energy such as solar, wind power and hydropower.

What the occupation involves

  • Operates, controls and monitors machines and plant equipment used to generate electrical power, including power generated from renewable energy
  • Adjusts controls to regulate the flow of fuel, air and water to maintain specified temperature, pressure and water levels
  • Starts and stops generators, turbines and auxiliary equipment
  • Monitors and records readings from meters, gauges and instruments
  • Inspects and maintains equipment, and identifies and reports any faults or malfunctions
  • Responds to alarms and emergencies, taking appropriate action to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the plant
  • Monitors and controls the quality of power generated, ensuring it meets specified standards
  • Coordinates activities and resolves issues in collaboration with other plant operators and maintenance staff
  • Keeps records of plant operations, including production levels, maintenance activities and equipment performance

Common occupation titles

  • Power Plant Operator
  • Power Station Operator

Specialisations

  • Wind Turbine Technician

Note: Specialisations are examples of roles in within this occupation and are not separate OSCA occupations.

Skill level (education and experience level)

Skill level 3
equivalent to a mid-level Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification (Certificate IV or Certificate III with at least 2 years’ on-the-job training).

Note: While skill levels are described using formal education levels, some people use a combination of informal learning, on-the-job training and personal experience to achieve an equivalent level.

Licensing or registration requirements

Registration or licensing is required.

OSCA structure

Employment

On this page

    Industries

    Top 10 most common industries, 2021

    Power Generation Plant Operator Total employment
    Industry Share of occupation Industry Share of occupation
    Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services 74.0% Health Care and Social Assistance 14.5%
    Manufacturing 7.7% Retail Trade 9.1%
    Mining 5.0% Construction 8.9%
    Construction 4.1% Education and Training 8.8%
    Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 2.5% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 7.8%
    Public Administration and Safety 0.9% Public Administration and Safety 6.6%
    Other Services 0.7% Accommodation and Food Services 6.5%
    Transport, Postal and Warehousing 0.6% Manufacturing 5.9%
    Administrative and Support Services 0.5% Transport, Postal and Warehousing 4.5%
    Wholesale Trade 0.5% Financial and Insurance Services 3.7%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    States and territories

    Employment distribution by states and territories, 2021

    • New South Wales

      26.1%

    • Victoria

      20.6%

    • Queensland

      18.0%

    • South Australia

      6.3%

    • Tasmania

      3.1%

    • Northern Territory

      4.5%

    • Australian Capital Territory

      0.5%

    Power Generation Plant Operator Total employment
    State / Territory Employment Share of occupation Employment Share of occupation
    New South Wales 580 26.1% 3,684,200 30.6%
    Victoria 460 20.6% 3,162,900 26.2%
    Queensland 400 18.0% 2,444,100 20.3%
    South Australia 140 6.3% 839,400 7.0%
    Western Australia 460 20.5% 1,306,200 10.8%
    Tasmania 70 3.1% 254,700 2.1%
    Northern Territory 100 4.5% 107,000 0.9%
    Australian Capital Territory 10 0.5% 248,600 2.1%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

    Age and sex

    Employment distibution by age group and sex, 2021

    Power Generation Plant Operator

    Total employment

    Age group Power Generation Plant Operator Total employment
    15–24 years 1.4% 14.3%
    25–34 years 15.1% 22.7%
    35–44 years 23.2% 22.3%
    45–54 years 29.3% 20.4%
    55–64 years 27.5% 15.3%
    65–74 years 3.3% 4.3%
    75 years and over 0.2% 0.6%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.
    Sex Power Generation Plant Operator Total employment
    Female 2.6% 48.5%
    Male 97.1% 51.5%
    Note: N/A values indicate data are not available due to confidentiality or data reliability requirements.

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      OSCA occupation profiles data

      This file contains data available from the OSCA Occupation Profile page.

      Use of this data must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      OSCA Occupation data - 2021 Census.xlsx

      xlsx 1236447

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      Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA)

      Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) is the skill-based classification used to categorise occupations across the Australian labour market. OSCA is used to define occupations across all official occupational statistics. OSCA replaces the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

      Each job is classified to one, and only one, group of jobs at each level of the classification with no overlaps. This prevents the accidental double-counting of roles within the Australian labour market. For more information about OSCA, visit the What is OSCA information page, or the ABS website.

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