Why East Coast Australia is Leading in Renewable Energy Talent Acquisition

Australia’s renewable energy sector is booming, driven by ambitious policy targets and rapid technological advancements. The East Coast – encompassing Queensland, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria – has emerged as a focal point for the sector, attracting global talent and investment. 

For companies who are evaluating opportunities in this region, it’s helpful to understand the country’s renewable energy strategy and also how the East Coast is gaining a competitive edge in talent acquisition. 

This blog looks at Australia’s renewable energy policy landscape and highlights some major East Coast projects that are drawing skilled professionals. It also describes how education and training initiatives in Australia are cultivating a world-class workforce, along with explaining how NES Fircroft can support your renewable energy recruitment in this growing market. 

Australia’s Renewable Energy Policy: Setting the Stage for Growth

The Australian Government’s commitment to renewable energy is evident through a series of bold national targets and legislative action. For example, it has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050. The Government is also aiming for 82% renewable energy in the country’s electricity grids by 2030. 

State-level policies further accelerate this shift: 

• Victoria: the state is “leading the nation” with targets of 95% renewable energy by 2035, 6.3GW of energy storage by 2035 and net‑zero emissions by 2045. 
• Queensland: renewable energy targets of 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035 are in place. This is expected to create more than 100,000 new jobs in manufacturing, renewable energy generation and power transmission.
• NSW: the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap aims to deliver 12GW of renewable energy and 2GW of long-duration storage (such as pumped hydro and batteries) by 2030. 

Together, these policies are fuelling demand for skilled professionals across renewable energy engineering, project development and grid integration – making the East Coast a magnet for talent. 

Major Projects Driving Talent Demand on the East Coast

Several high-profile developments are shaping the region’s renewable energy recruitment: 

1. NSW’s Renewable Energy Zone (REZ)

The NSW Government has given the green light to Australia’s first REZ. It aims to deliver at least 4.5GW of new network capacity by 2028 and connect 7.7GW of wind and solar projects – enough to power more than 2 million homes each year. At its peak, the project is expected to generate over 5,000 construction jobs and attract AUS$20 billion in investment. 

2. Victoria’s Star of the South offshore wind project

The proposed Star of the South project is expected to generate around 2.2GW from offshore wind, which is sufficient to power 1.2 million homes, and employ 2000 workers during construction. 

If all the necessary approvals are granted, construction could start later this decade, with the target of starting to generate power around 2030 to support Victoria’s offshore wind energy target of 2GW by 2032.

3. Queensland’s “world-class solar and wind resources”

The state has attracted over 45 existing and planned large-scale solar farms, with a total capacity of over 3.7GW. Plus, in 2024, Queensland had six wind farms, totalling over 1GW of capacity, with a further five (1.8GW capacity) in the pipeline.

There is also great potential for bio-energy in Queensland, given its sizeable agricultural sector and resultant biomass production. Currently, there is capacity to generate around 500 MW from biomass and organic waste.

All of these projects are not just infrastructure milestones – they are also talent magnets, drawing engineers, project developers and sustainability experts to the East Coast from across the globe. 

How Australia is Cultivating Renewable Energy Talent

Meeting the demand for skilled workers requires a strategic approach to education, training and industry collaboration. This includes:

1. R&D leadership

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funds cutting-edge research in solar efficiency, battery storage and hydrogen power. 

Also, Australia's national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), is developing energy storage technologies of the future, such as thermal energy, compressed air, hydrogen, batteries and ceramics.

Institutions like the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) lead in renewable energy engineering, producing graduates with expertise in photovoltaics, hydrogen and biofuels, for example. 

2. Vocational Education and Training (VET)

The Australian VET system provides specialised training in many areas of renewable energy. The aim is to give students the practical skills that are required in some of Australia’s most in-demand industries.

Technical and further education (TAFE) institutions across the East Coast offer renewable energy qualifications aligned with industry needs, ensuring a steady supply of engineers. 

The Australian Government is providing additional funding for training through the National Skills Agreement, taking total Commonwealth investment in state and territory training systems up to AUS$12.6 billion over 5 years.

3. Upskilling initiatives for workers

Energy Skills Queensland is a not-for-profit organisation that is helping to build a skilled and safe energy industry. This includes delivering skills development and employment programmes.

Similarly, the NSW Government has many energy-related programmes, grants and schemes, including NSW Skills for Net Zero, which connects tertiary students with paid internships at businesses looking to build their net-zero workforce. 

Why Professionals Are Choosing East Coast Australia

Beyond the great career opportunities provided by both national and state-level renewable energy policies and training initiatives, professionals are drawn to: 

• a high quality of life in cities like Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
• competitive salaries, particularly in engineering and project management 
• a cultural environment closely aligned with many Western nations, especially the UK, making it easy for many engineers to adapt to life in Australia.

Supporting Your Renewable Energy Recruitment Strategy

The East Coast’s policy momentum and large-scale projects make it a global leader in renewable energy talent acquisition. For companies looking to capitalise on this growth, partnering with a specialised recruitment agency is key. 

At NES Fircroft, we are experts in renewable energy recruitment, including solar, wind, storage and grid innovation. Our services include: 

• Strategic workforce planning – aligning your hiring needs with Australia’s evolving renewable energy sector.
• Targeted talent sourcing – leveraging our network of engineers, project managers and technical specialists. 
• Market intelligence – providing insights on salary benchmarks, skills availability and regulatory trends. 

Whether you’re expanding operations or launching new projects in East Coast Australia, our expertise ensures you secure the right talent – efficiently and competitively. With dedicated teams located in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, we offer on-the-ground support for your talent acquisition needs.

Are you ready to build your renewable energy team in East Coast Australia? Contact us today to discuss your recruitment strategy.