Operator Petroleum (OP PETRL)

ECN 269 

The OP PETRL is a soldier who is responsible for the deployment, construction, operation and maintenance of a range of petroleum, oils and lubricants (POL) storage and handling facilities. The function of an OP PETRL is to operate and manage POL equipment and products. This includes the operation of field and static POL equipment, the laboratory testing and analysis of POL products, and the storage, packaging and disposal of Dangerous Goods (DG), include hazardous materials, but excluding DG Class 1 (Ammunition and Explosives).

Key features
A member of a specialised small trade that develops its people as individuals. This trade provides opportunity to deploy overseas as part of CSS Support elements. In addition, most exercises required OP PETRL personnel to operate and manage fuel supply.
All Warrant Officer Class Two attend two courses in the USA to obtain specialist trade skills.
There is little waiting time for trade training as courses are conducted throughout the year. Although non-technical in nature; this trade allows members to achieve higher pay levels than other non-technical trades.
DutiesPay
  • Assembles, installs and recovers petroleum field equipment and facilities.
  • Operates petroleum facilities and installations.
  • Services and maintains field equipment.
  • Maintains petroleum accounts and stock records.
  • Operates and services all fire and safety equipment held in the petroleum unit.
  • Understands the characteristics of and undertakes the quality surveillance requirements for petroleum fuels, lubricants and allied products, including basic laboratory fuel testing.

The pay levels for this employment are:

  • OP PETRL Grade 1 (ARES) PTE-PTE(P) Pay Grade 1 (Not active)
  • OP PETRL Grade 2 PTE-LCPL Pay Grade 3
  • OP PETRL Advanced Grade 3 PTE (P)-CPL Pay Grade 4
  • SPV PETRL CPL-SGT Pay Grade 5
  • MNGR PETRL SGT-WO2 Pay Grade 5
  • PETRL SPEC WO2 Pay Grade 5
  • PETRL SPEC TIER A WO1 Pay Grade 5
TrainingPosting
  • Drivers Course: C2/MR2 to be completed prior to or at the completion of the IET OP PET Cse. Course duration 26 days.
  • IET Operator Petroleum Basic Course: 83 days conducted at a combination of locations including: ALTC Bandiana, AVNTC Oakey and Wodonga Tafe Wodonga.
  • Fuel Qualify Control Operators Course.
  • Subject 4 CPL Advanced OP PETL Course: 15 days conducted at ALTC, Bandiana, Victoria.
  • Petroleum Marine Transfer Operations Course
  • Subject 4 SGT Supervisor PETL OP Course: 20 days conducted at ALTC, Bandiana, Victoria.
  • US Army Specialist Petroleum Training

An OP PETRL is employed primarily in Force Support Battalions and other Combat Service Support units throughout the Army, both ARA and integrated units. The OP PETRL may be required to operate in combat, combat support and combat service support roles.
Education RequirementsCivil Accreditation

Completion of Australian Year 10 education (or equivalent) with passes in English and Mathematics.

This category's courses meet the requirements for both civilian and military authorities and will make you eligible for:

  • Certificate II in Government
  • Certificate III in Government
  • Certificate IV in Government
  • Diploma of Government Management
  • Certificate II in Transport and Logistics (Warehousing and Storage)
  • Certificate II in Transportation and Logistics (Logistic Operations)
  • Certificate III in Transports and Logistics (Warehousing and Storage)
  • Certificate III in Public Safety (Filed Petroleum Operations)
Transfers into EmploymentReturn of Service Obligation (ROSO)

All applicants for trade transfer to this category are to undergo a Psychological Review. Potential lateral enlistment's that are assessed with appropriate qualifications, generally enter the employment category stream at a prescribed rank and will normally be required to undertake some form of refresher training prior to appointment. Ab-initio and category transfers will generally enter to category stream at the Initial Employment Training (IET) level and be required to complete the IET Courses. Category transferees who hold rank prior to a transfer will generally be required to revert to PTE upon successful completion of IET, however each individual will be assessed on their merits IAW DI(A) PERS 116-3 Grant, Retention and Relinquishment of Employment Category and Associated Pay Procedures - Soldiers.

 A soldier may elect to trade transfer to this employment category. If a soldier elects to trade transfer to this category, a ROSO is required. The length of ROSO for both trade transfer and other category training is in the Chief of Army Determination on ROSO (Army Schedule) on the DGPERS-A website, (DefWeb only). If a member has an existing ROSO from prior training, this ROSO may be served concurrently. Defence policy on ROSO is in DI (G) PERS 33-2 Return of Service Obligation.
Further Information

Detailed employment category information about OP PETRL can be found within the Manual of Army Employment. (DefWeb only)