How to become an Aircraft Refueller

Fills aircraft with aviation fuel by operating a tanker truck or hydrant vehicle and connecting a fuel system to the aircraft fuel tank. Registration or licensing is required.

Main tasks

• Operates fuelling vehicles and equipment to refuel aircraft according to specific fuel requirements
• Connects ground fuel storage tanks to aircraft by operating pumps and valves, managing flow rates to prevent overfilling or under filling
• Monitors fuel levels in storage tanks and ensures accurate and safe fuelling of aircraft
• Inspects fuelling equipment and reports any malfunctions or damage while following safety procedures and regulations
• Maintains records of fuel transactions, completes necessary paperwork and communicates with aircraft crew and ground personnel to coordinate fuelling operations
• Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of fuelling equipment
• Responds to fuel-related emergencies, such as spills or leaks, by executing emergency response procedures

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate II in Aviation (Ground Operations and Service) (AVI20219); Certificate I in Aviation (Foundation Skills) (AVI10119)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $101,920 a year
• About 189,200 people work in this job group now, and about 196,900 are projected by 2035. (+4%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Aircraft Refueller?

Ways in include: Certificate II in Aviation (Ground Operations and Service); Certificate I in Aviation (Foundation Skills).

How much does an Aircraft Refueller earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $101,920 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Aircraft Refueller a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 189,200 to about 196,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Aircraft Refueller?

Usually not. Only 5% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate II in Aviation (Ground Operations and Service); Certificate I in Aviation (Foundation Skills).

Will AI change the work of an Aircraft Refueller?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04