Power Generation Plant Operator
A Power Generation Plant Operator monitors and operates turbines, boilers, and generators at Australian coal, gas, hydro, and renewable energy power stations.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Consistent demand; renewable energy station growth is creating new operator roles.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- STSOLShort-Term Skilled Occupation List
Occupations eligible for shorter-term sponsored visas including Subclass 482 (short-term stream).
- CSOLCombined Skilled Occupation List
The merged skilled list that consolidates previous MLTSSL and STSOL eligibility under the Skills in Demand program.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- TRATrades Recognition AustraliaVisit official site →
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 186Learn more →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Learn more →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | New South Wales | View nomination → |
| QLD | Queensland | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
| NT | Northern Territory | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Monitor power station generating units using distributed control systems
- Perform start-up, synchronisation, and shutdown of generating units
- Carry out planned maintenance and operator rounds on plant equipment
- Respond to unit trips, plant alarms, and grid emergencies
Skills required
- Power station generating unit operation and DCS
- Turbine and boiler operating procedures
- Electrical generator synchronisation and load management
- Emergency response and abnormal condition management
Typical qualifications pathway
Certificate III in ESI Power Systems (Generation). TRA assesses qualifications.
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on CSOL, enabling subclasses 186, 482, and 494 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
anzsco.com.au is information-only. For personalised advice on your situation, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Scan with your phone to open an AI chat about this occupation — no agent, no affiliation, just info you can trust.