Energy Industry Jobs Plan

The Authority consults with key stakeholders – including the closing power station, dependent businesses (for example, a coal mine that supplies a closing power station), unions, workers, and potential new employers – to understand the closure’s impact and whether an EIJP would assist the transition. When making this decision, the Authority will consider: 

•  the number of workers affected by the closure 
•  the number of workers interested in finding employment following the closure 
•  existing workforce transition support available to affected workers 
•  closing and dependent employers’ capacity to redeploy affected workers elsewhere in their company 
•  the capacity of other companies in the region to take on transition employees and 
•  whether the EIJP will promote an orderly transition including managing impacts on workers and their local communities.

If an EIJP is needed, the Authority applies to the Fair Work Commission, which in turn considers the same information.  
 
All affected groups can contribute to the Fair Work Commission’s process. Assessments occur well before closure. Where 3.5+ years’ notice of a closure is given, the application to establish the EIJP must be made at least 2 years prior to the closure. Otherwise, it must be lodged as soon as practicable. 

The EIJP provides a consistent framework to support workers affected by power station closures. Employers must offer transition assistance such as: 

•  career planning, education/training, and financial advice 
•  paid time off and flexible work to attend interviews and training 
•  engagement with new employers and unions. 
 
Support will vary by business, worker needs and industrial agreements. Employers and unions can agree on tailored actions under the legislation. 
 
The EIJP also connects workers with local job opportunities and helps employers retain staff until closure. Workers have a wide range of transferable skills – including roles such as:  

•  drillers, miners or shot firers 
•  power plant generation operators 
•  truck drivers   
•  metal fabricators and welders 
•  machinists and metal fabricators 
•  electricians 
•  mining, electrical or mechanical engineers 
•  engineering technicians or draftspersons 
•  engineering project managers 
•  general project, program or contract managers 
•  accountants  
•  administration and office support workers.   

Other local employers in the region may be able to access incentive payments when hiring EIJP workers. The Authority will help match workers with new roles in their region. 

Two employer types can be included under an EIJP: 

•  Closing employers: owners/operators of closing power stations.
•  Dependent employers: supply chain businesses directly impacted by the closure. 
 
To qualify as a dependent employer under the Act, a business must: 

•  be a constitutional corporation 
•  have a commercial link to the closing power station (or in some cases its coal mine) 
•  likely cease a substantial part of operations due to the closure.  
•  The definition of 'substantial' is assessed case-by-case. See Part 5 of the Net Zero Economy Authority Act 2024 for full details.

Upcoming closures identified by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO):

•  Torrens Island B (gas, June 2026)
•  Eraring (coal, August 2027)
•  Osborne (gas, October 2027)
•  Collie (coal, October 2027)
•  Yallourn (coal, June 2028).

A full list of closing power stations can be found here for eastern Australia and here for Western Australia.

The Authority is currently consulting with various stakeholders around the closure of Torrens Island B in Adelaide. 

•  Consultation process open for Torrens Island Power Station | nzea

The EIJP is one of several Australian Government supports helping workers through the net zero transition.

Regional Workforce Transition Plans (RWTPs), developed with DEWR, support communities affected by closures – including workers not covered by the EIJP. Supports may include:

•  case management
•  career guidance
•  community hubs
•  education and training, including reskilling support
•  job search assistance
•  financial and career advice
•  health and wellbeing support
•  relocation and travel assistance and 
•  information, including on local labour markets and emerging career opportunities.

Additional programs include:

•  New Energy Apprenticeships Program
•  fee-free TAFE for high-demand areas
•  facility upgrade fund for clean energy training
•  VET workforce development for clean energy and
•  National Energy Workforce Strategy to build skills toward 2050 targets.