The Australian Government has commissioned Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) to undertake a capacity study on the workforce needs for Australia’s transition to a clean energy economy. The capacity study will build on existing research and deepen our understanding of the clean energy sector by:
- clarifying what jobs and industries make up Australia’s clean energy workforce
- analysing different scenarios for how we could reach net zero by 2050, understanding how many workers will be needed (and where) and who will have the skills to take on those jobs
- exploring how the workforce opportunities created by clean energy can be shared across regions and with First Nations Australians, women, people with disability and Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- examining the possibilities for workers in emission intensive sectors to transition to new roles in their communities that will build on their existing skills and experience
- identifying the education, training and migration pathways that we should be developing, and the underlying system settings needed to enable those pathways.
Partnering with stakeholders and specialists will ensure we develop a complete view of the sector’s current and emerging workforce needs. A project steering group has been established and includes members from across industry, unions, training providers, state governments, research organisations and the Commonwealth.
JSA has committed to delivering an interim report to the Australian Government by May 2023 and a final report by mid-2023. JSA will also be publishing several accompanying resources over the coming months.
Terms of Reference
The final Terms of Reference for the study were published on 4 April 2023 and incorporate feedback from state and territory governments, industry, unions and the education and training sector.
Discussion paper
JSA has published a discussion paper for consultation. Read more about the Clean Energy Capacity consultation.
How to receive updates
JSA will be providing regular email updates on the progress of the study.
Resource library
JSA has compiled a resource library to provide readers with reports, research and other resources on the clean energy workforce transition in Australia and internationally. The library will be updated throughout the course of the study and we welcome suggestions for additional resources to include.
Frequently asked questions
What is the purpose of this study?
The Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, commissioned Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) to undertake a capacity study of the clean energy workforce. This study will help by:
- clarifying what jobs and industries make up Australia’s clean energy workforce
- analysing different scenarios for how we could reach net zero by 2050, understanding how many workers will be needed (and where) and who will have the skills to take on those jobs
- exploring how the workforce opportunities created by clean energy can be shared across regions and with First Nations Australians, women, people with disability and Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- examining the possibilities for workers in emission intensive sectors to transition to new roles in their communities that will build on their existing skills and experience
- identifying the education, training and migration pathways that we should be developing, and the underlying system settings needed to enable those pathways.
What is a capacity study?
JSA’s capacity studies will assess the current and future demand for labour and skills in a critical area of the economy and explore how we can source the right number of workers with the right set of skills to meet that demand. They will also make recommendations on how skill shortages (or surpluses) can be averted, within a set time, resource and legislative constraints and government objectives.
JSA has established an ongoing capacity study function, which will:
- bring together subject matter experts, data specialists and people with stakeholder engagement expertise
- be informed by Project Steering Groups, with key stakeholders directly represented
- provide a detailed assessment of labour and skills supply and demand, employment arrangements, and education, training and migration pathways
- produce long-term modelling of future workforce demand and supply.
When will the Clean Energy Workforce study be published?
JSA has committed to deliver an interim report to Government in May 2023 and a final report by mid-2023. Publication of the final report will be a matter for the Minister for Skills and Training. JSA also intends to publish several accompanying resources over the coming months.
How does the study define clean energy?
The study defines clean energy as energy generated from renewable sources including wind, solar, hydro and other alternatives to fossil fuels as set out in Division 3, Section 17 of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000.
How does the study define the clean energy workforce?
For the purposes of this study, the clean energy workforce is defined as those workers involved in developing, generating, storing, transmitting and distributing energy generated from renewable sources (‘clean energy supply’), and installing and maintaining the technology that uses clean energy rather than fossil fuels (‘electrification’ and ‘new energy sources’). This definition is further explained in our discussion paper.
What evidence will inform the study?
JSA will use a combination of data analytics, economic modelling and qualitative research for this study. A non-exhaustive list of reports, research and other resources that have informed the study to date is available via the Clean Energy Capacity Study Resource Library.
How does this differ to the Australian Energy Employment Report?
The Australian Government launched the first Australian Energy Employment Report (AEER) survey this year to provide a point in time snapshot of the energy workforce. The Clean Energy Capacity Study will utilise this initial data, but also look at the future workforce, training and transitions needs of the sector.
How does the study relate to other current work around the energy transition?
The Capacity Study will complement and inform work being undertaken by other parts of the Commonwealth Government including the Australian Energy Employment Report (AEER), National Energy Workforce Strategy, the Powering Australia Plan and the New Energy Apprenticeships program. A list of these complimentary policy settings is available in the Terms of Reference.
What is out of scope for this study?
The study will not look at the merits of particular technologies, projects or investments, or the non-workforce impacts of the clean energy transition. The study is primarily concerned with the clean energy workforce, workers in enabling sectors such as research and training, and transitioning sectors.
How can I make a submission and/or keep updated?
Submissions will remain open until 5.00pm AEST Tuesday 2 May 2023. You can submit responses to the questions in this paper and/or provide supplementary information and views.
Register your interest in receiving updates by emailing the Clean Energy Capacity Study team at CleanEnergyWorkforce@jobsandskills.gov.au.
JSA also issues a regular enewsletter on its broader work including this study. To subscribe, scroll to the bottom of the page and provide your email under the heading ‘Stay up to date’.