The first ever survey into diversity in the Australian clean energy sector.
Share this report
28 Oct 2021
Empowering Everyone: Diversity in the Australian Clean Energy Sector provides a comprehensive snapshot of the professional and social identities that make up the Australian clean energy workforce.
Covering categories such as education, cultural background, age, sexuality and disability, the report will allow the industry to identify where systemic barriers and inequities may exist so that we can develop strategies to create a more inclusive and equitable clean energy sector.
Diversity brings balance and a range of viewpoints that, while sometimes challenging, only serves to make up better people and to build a stronger and more relevant business.
Survey respondent
Key findings
Larger organisations dominate the utility-scale renewable energy sector, with almost 50 per cent of the workforce employed by an organisation with more than 200 employees.
Women make up 39 per cent of the Australian clean energy workforce. While this is less than the total Australian workforce, it is better than the average for the global renewable energy industry.
68 per cent of the Australian clean energy workforce was born in Australia, which is similar to the entire Australian population. The 30–40 age group is the most diverse, while the over 60 category is the least diverse.
Almost 20 per cent of employees have experienced disadvantage at work due to their diversity.
$58 billion of clean energy investment, 42,000 jobs foregone by 2030 under Coalition plan
At least $58 billion worth of new private investment in clean energy would be wiped from Australia’s economy, with more than 42,000 full-time equivalent jobs and billions of dollars in community benefits at risk if renewable energy is capped at 54 per cent of Australia’s electricity mix under the Coalition’s energy agenda, new modelling has found.
Op-ed: Coalition nuclear power plan risks energy bill meltdown
Is it just me or have we somehow gone back in time? US President Donald Trump is introducing 1960’s era tariffs and isolationist polices that are creating massive global economic risk and uncertainty.
While here at home, the Federal Coalition is proposing to halt private investment in the lowest cost form of energy generation (renewables) and instead focus on the highest cost forms of generation (nuclear and gas) with 1960’s levels of government ownership and taxpayer funding.
Cheaper batteries set to supercharge Aussie rooftop solar savings
Today’s commitment by Federal Labor to provide a 30 per cent discount on the upfront cost of purchasing a home battery, through its Cheaper Home Battery Program, is a significant and welcome cost of living measure that will supercharge energy savings for the four million Aussies with rooftop solar on their homes.
Budget 2025-26: Short-term energy bill relief with renewables on track to lower future power bills
With over 70 per cent of Australians naming cost-of-living as their priority issue in recent polls, the Clean Energy Council has welcomed the additional $150 energy bill rebate for all Australian families and small businesses in this years’ Federal Budget.
While this short-term relief will be welcomed by Australians, the Clean Energy Council continues to call for a national home battery program that will deliver long-term reductions in power prices.
Green light to unlock Australia's green hydrogen potential
The Clean Energy Council welcomes today’s announcement of the first recipient from the Australian Government’s Hydrogen Headstart program with $814 million in funding allocated to the 1500 MW Murchison Green Hydrogen Project in Western Australia, for the development of a major new renewable ammonia export facility.
