Utilities

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The utilities industry is a key part of Australia’s economy. Endless kilometres of pipes, poles and wires extend across the country, distributing power, water and drainage services to our houses and communities. Emerging technologies such as renewable energy systems and big data analytics are changing the nature of work, and employers need adaptable people with skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This is a highly skilled industry to be involved in, and you’ll be amazed at the career choices available to you.

Contribution to the Australian economy

Utilities

Industry Value

$45.3 billion

Gross value added

People Employed

105,000

People employed in the sector

Business Trading

6,336

Businesses trading in the sector

* Statistics sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. For more information, please refer to the Statistics Explained page.

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Sectors & Occupations

The utilities industry is responsible for providing Australian households with electricity, gas, water and waste removal services. Skilled operators maintain our power stations, support our electricity grids, distribute our gas, monitor our water and collect our waste. More than 40% of these people gained their practical skills through ‘real life’ vocational education and training (VET) courses.

Check out a sample of the most popular occupations in each sector. Click on them for more information.


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Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Australian Apprenticeships (apprenticeships and traineeships) are an important part of VET. Gaining a VET qualification through an Australian Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to train, study and earn an income at a variety of qualification levels in most occupations. Australian Apprenticeships combine time at work with training, and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.

Search Apprenticeship & Traineeship Courses in this Industry

Career Stories

VET delivers outstanding employment results for its graduates – watch the following stories and see for yourself. You will be amazed at the career pathways that a VET qualification can unlock for you in the utilities industry.


Joshua’s Story - Video Thumbnail

Joshua’s Story

“I find now, being a tradesman, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

VET Qualification: Certificate III in Electricity Supply Industry – Distribution (Powerline)

Career: Electrical Linesman

When Joshua began a pre-apprenticeship program with Ausgrid (an electricity transmission and distribution network in NSW), he had basic literacy and numeracy skills. With self-belief and the support of his employer, he completed his apprenticeship over four years, and he is now a fully qualified electrical linesman.

Jared's Story - Video Thumbnail

Jared's Story

“I don’t think I’ll ever be out of work thanks to my VET qualifications.”

VET Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology

Career: Electrician

Jared enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program in electrotechnology after leaving school at the end of Year 11. He was one of 12 apprentices who beat a field of 750 applicants to join Western Power, a state-owned electricity transmission and distribution network in Western Australia. Jared is now a fully qualified electrician with the company, and he is also part way through an Advanced Diploma of Engineering.

Jessica’s Story - Video Thumbnail

Jessica’s Story

“Dad suggested that maybe I should do an apprenticeship and that’s pretty much when my whole life changed.”

VET Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician)

Career: Team Leader

Jessica Wooley has found herself working in a career that she loves after completing a Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Electrician) with SA Power Networks. Now a team leader, Jess sees herself doing further management training and perhaps some project management in the future.

Skills for your Career

My Skills will help you find the right course to ignite your career in the utilities industry. You can search for VET courses and compare information such as fees, durations, graduate satisfaction, job prospects and available subsidies.

There are a number of different ways to search for VET courses on My Skills.


Course Search

Search for keywords in course titles, such as ‘gas’ or ‘linesworker’:

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Careers in Demand

Electrical linesworkers are currently in demand across Australia, so there’s a good chance of ongoing employment when you complete your training. If you want to set yourself up for a rewarding career, check out the following VET courses that will give you the practical skills you need to gain employment as an electrical linesworker.

Data is sourced from the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.



Growth Areas

Water supply, sewerage and drainage is the largest employing sector in the industry. If you’re interested in a career in the utilities industry, the following VET courses are worth considering, because they will prepare you for work in areas where employment is expected to grow over the next three years.

Data has been sourced from the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment and SSO/IRC Industry Skills Forecasts (Property Services, ESI Generation, ESI Transmission, Gas, Water).



Resources

With so much information about careers, it’s hard to know where to start or where to look.
Here are a few sites you may find useful once you’ve found the right VET course and training provider on My Skills.


Artibus Innovation

A Skills Service Organisation established by the Commonwealth Government supporting the property services industry.

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Australian Energy Regulator

The national regulator of Australian energy markets and networks under national energy market legislation and rules.

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Australian Industry Standards

A government-funded not-for-profit organisation that develops skills standards across a range of Australian industries.

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Australian Pipelines and Gas Association

The peak body representing Australasia’s pipeline infrastructure, with a focus on gas transmission.

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Australian Water Association

The national peak water organisation, delivering information, expertise and collaboration for sustainable water management.

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The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC)

Provides leadership and guidance to the VET system, bringing a strong industry-based perspective which will enhance responsiveness, quality & relevance within the sector.

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