The final quarter of FY25 marked a confident close to the year for Australia’s energy transition sector. With a 21% increase in vacancies and 18% growth in inbound roles, hiring activity surged across renewables, infrastructure, and digital energy. The market isn’t just expanding, it’s maturing, with more projects moving from planning to execution.
Battery deployment reached new heights, with over 1 GWh commissioned and 38 large-scale batteries under construction. In Q4 alone, renewables supplied 40% of Australia’s electricity.
Meanwhile, the rise of data centers, fueled by AI and cloud computing is reshaping energy demand, especially in Sydney, which now hosts over 88 operational facilities
High Demand, Low Supply
Despite strong investment, the sector remains critically talent-short. Australia must triple its energy workforce, from 20,000 to 60,000, by 2050 and fill a projected gap of 42,000 electricians.
Employers are increasingly hiring with the intent to upskill, creating opportunities for junior professionals and cross-sector talent.
Key employment trends show high demand in HV engineering, construction supervision, and commissioning. In project development, roles are often advertised without budget approval, slowing down hiring and damaging employer reputation.
Energy Generation & Storage
40% of Australia’s electricity came from renewables:
- Rooftop solar: 12.4%
- Wind: 13.4%
- Large-scale solar: 7.2%
Battery deployment hit record levels:
- Over 1 GWh commissioned
- 38 large-scale batteries under construction
Diversity & Leadership
Women represent 39% of the clean energy workforce
Only 19% hold board positions
Significant gap compared to ASX benchmarks and other industries
Conclusion
FY26 demands more than infrastructure, it demands capability. With mounting pressure on talent, timelines, and execution, the sector must invest in people, not just projects. Success will hinge on how fast we build, how well we collaborate, and how deeply we develop workforce capacity.
At Vinova, we believe success in FY26 will be defined by how capability is built: with purpose, with foresight, and through partnership. Because Australia’s clean energy future won’t be powered by megawatts alone,it will be powered by people ready to make them real.
Missed the live session?
Catch the full Q4 FY25 Vinova Market Report Webinar recording on YouTube and get all the insights straight from Luke and Oli: Watch the recording below
