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The Australian clean energy sector spawned from the European, American, and Asian markets. Almost a third of the Australian clean energy workforce was not born in Australia. We are a diverse and culturally rich group of talented individuals.

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Who should consider a move to Australia to work in clean energy?

Globally there is high mobility between oil and gas, transmission, and renewable energy generation. However, mobility across countries within the same multinational renewable energy organisation and between competitors has also historically been high.

The blade technician role is a case in point. Most of the work in that role is carried out only in the summer months. As a result, there can be regular traffic of such technicians between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

People with existing experience in clean energy projects should consider a move to the sunny shores of Australia. Having internationally recognised accreditation or training, such as Global Wind Organisation wind training, can be an advantage. However, engineers of all persuasions and software or app developers would be competitive.

The Clean Energy Careers by Occupation and Demand page provides insight into the occupations in Australian clean energy that are currently in high demand and where demand is not being met. Anyone with experience in occupations marked in red might consider a move to Australia. There is particular interest in power system engineers, especially with knowledge of grid-connection processes, civil engineers, especially dam engineers, hydropower engineers, and structural engineers.

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What are my next steps?

Read through the Clean Energy Council's Clean Energy Careers Guide to understand the market and the opportunities.

There are two options for non-Australians looking to work in the Australian clean energy sector:

  1. become a permanent resident and then seek employment in Australia
  2. seek sponsorship from an Australian entity for a relevant visa.
Permanent residency

Check the Australian Government’s Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List to see if you have skills considered critical to support Australia’s economic growth as these will be given priority. You will then need to explore the options on the Australian Home Affairs Department’s website for those that best relate to your situation.

Sponsorship by an Australian entity

For sponsorship at least two options exist: the Australian state can sponsor individuals to move to Australia or an employer can.

For state sponsorship, you will need to visit each of the Australian state government websites to understand the requirements and process. Visit the Department of Home Affairs' website for links to the state government websites.

For employer sponsorship, consult the Clean Energy Council’s Clean Energy Careers Hub for current employment opportunities. The other two main job platforms used by Australian employers are Seekand LinkedIn.

You can also visit the Clean Energy Council’s current members website to identify the sites of Australian clean energy employers and recruiters. They often advertise job opportunities or have an expression of interest form to add candidates to their ongoing talent pool.

Once you have identified an opportunity, apply directly for the role, making it clear to the employer that you would require sponsorship to reside in Australia.

Your resume should be succinct, no longer than three pages and in English. Include a two- or three-sentence career summary. Avoid cluttering the resume with irrelevant personal details or a photo. Ensure that your visa status is clearly indicated.