Although there has been a big drop in the number of service station attendants since 2001, job opportunities are still good, particularly if you are interested in working part time or doing shift work.

Drop in number of service station attendants because of service stations closing or switching to self-service

The number of service stations fell from 1,400 in 2005 to about 1,200 in 2009. This is because large oil companies, such as Caltex, Shell, BP and Mobil, closed down a number of their smaller franchises. Also, due to competition from these large companies, many small, independent, rural petrol stations have closed.

Job opportunities for service station attendants have also been falling because more stations are offering self-service petrol pumps, reducing the need for attendants.

Number of service station attendants in New Zealand
(1996, 2001, 2006)

Census	Number of service station attendants
1996	6,739
2001	6,075
2006	3,699
Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool.

Economic recession has less impact on service station jobs than other retail positions

Although the number of service station attendants has been falling, the job is less likely to be affected by the current economic recession than other retail jobs. This is because petrol is seen as an essential item by many people and this, combined with the convenient aspect of added service station services (such as food, Lotto and alcohol sales), means service stations are some of the few retailers that don't suffer so much economically during a recession.

Job chances best for those prepared to work part time or shifts 

Your chances of getting a job as a service station attendant are good if you are prepared to work weekends and evenings. There has been a strong move by employers in the retail sector in the last year to employ part-time workers. In 2008, part-time worker numbers increased by nearly 20,000, while full-time workers decreased by 800.  

Almost half of all service station attendants are aged 24 or younger, and many are students who work shifts around other commitments such as study.

Service station attendants work at petrol stations, which may be owned by major oil companies or operated by independent dealers (which includes company-owned franchises).

The major oil companies are:

• Shell 
• Mobil 
• BP
• Caltex
• Gull.

Service station attendants work throughout New Zealand.