Chat with us, powered by LiveChat

Resources

December 7, 2025 - By Monique Thompson

The Future of Oil and Gas Jobs in Australia and Where the Industry Is Headed in 2024 to 2026


Australia’s oil and gas industry continues to evolve, with major investments in LNG, offshore exploration, field development, decommissioning and renewable integration. Companies such as Woodside Energy, Santos, Chevron and INPEX remain central to the national energy landscape, driving employment opportunities across offshore platforms, refineries, LNG facilities and emerging low carbon projects.

As the market shifts, so do the opportunities available for workers. Whether you are exploring offshore jobs, oil rig jobs, oil and gas jobs Australia, or technical roles within production, maintenance or HSE, understanding the direction of the industry is essential for planning your next move.


1. Australia’s Oil and Gas Sector Remains a Major Employer

Despite fluctuations in global prices, Australia’s LNG industry continues to rank among the world’s largest. Western Australia and the Northern Territory remain key employment hubs, with ongoing activity across:

• Offshore platforms and FPSOs
• LNG plants in the Pilbara and Darwin regions
• Long term maintenance and shutdown campaigns
• Drilling programs and exploration wells
• Subsea work and marine services
• Decommissioning and life extension projects

This consistent industrial activity ensures the sector remains a significant source of stable, well paid employment.


2. Woodside Energy and Major Operators Continue Driving Demand

Woodside Energy remains a strategic leader in Australian offshore energy. Current and upcoming activity is expected to create ongoing demand for roles in:

• Mechanical and electrical maintenance
• Process operations
• Subsea engineering
• Field services and production support
• HSE and safety management
• Marine and deck operations
• Commissioning and shutdown work

Other operators such as Chevron, INPEX, Santos and Australian offshore contractors are expected to maintain steady recruitment across production, maintenance and project delivery teams.


3. Skills Most in Demand Across the Oil and Gas Sector

Hiring trends show continued demand for:

• Offshore technicians and trades
• Mechanical fitters, riggers and electricians
• Drillers, floorhands and rig technicians
• Process operators with LNG experience
• HSEQ advisors, safety officers and gas testers
• Marine crew for offshore support vessels
• Subsea, pipeline and integrity specialists

Workers with multi skill capability or cross training have stronger long term prospects, particularly across maintenance, commissioning and shutdown roles.


4. Offshore Work Remains Attractive for Many Australians

Offshore jobs are among the most searched terms in the industry including offshore jobs Perth, offshore jobs Australia, offshore oil rig jobs and oil rig jobs Australia. Despite demanding rosters, offshore work continues to offer:

• Attractive salary packages
• Structured FIFO schedules
• Professional development opportunities
• Exposure to world class technology
• Strong team culture in most facilities

New entrants often begin in support roles such as roustabout, trade assistant or deck crew before progressing into more specialised positions.


5. Growth in Decommissioning Will Create New Job Streams

Several Australian offshore assets are entering late life stages, creating new demand for:

• Decommissioning technicians
• Subsea recovery teams
• Environmental monitoring crews
• Plug and abandonment specialists
• Heavy lift and marine logistics support

This emerging field is expected to generate thousands of jobs over the next decade.


6. Renewables and Oil and Gas Are Now Interlinked

Many major operators are integrating renewable and low carbon projects into their portfolios. This shift is creating new hybrid roles in:

• Carbon capture
• Hydrogen production
• Emissions reduction technologies
• Renewable integration on offshore platforms
• Energy transition engineering

Workers with traditional oil and gas backgrounds will increasingly find crossover opportunities in these emerging sectors.


7. What Workers Can Expect in 2024–2026

Industry analysts forecast:

• Strong demand for maintenance and technical roles
• Increased offshore exploration and drilling programs
• Expanded LNG production volumes
• New decommissioning projects
• Continued investment in low carbon energy
• Competitive salaries for skilled offshore workers
• Greater focus on safety, compliance and workforce capability

For job seekers, this means continued stability and long term career options across some of Australia’s most advanced industrial operations.


Final Thoughts

Australia’s oil and gas industry continues to be a vital contributor to national employment and economic strength. With ongoing offshore operations, LNG production, decommissioning and emerging energy projects, the next several years will offer strong opportunities for workers across technical, trade, professional and entry level roles.

Choose from one of our oil & gas resume packages