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.
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.
Rooftop solar uptake booms in 2024 - New report sparks call for national home battery rebate
Australians’ desire to take control of their power bills has continued to see rooftop solar uptake boom in 2024, according to the Clean Energy Council’s bi-annual Rooftop Solar and Storage Report (Jul-Dec 2024) released today which found for the fifth consecutive year, more than 300,000 Australian homes and businesses installed rooftop solar.
Response to the 2025-26 Default Market Offer (AER)
While today’s decision is not what was hoped for, it confirms that ageing and increasingly unreliable coal-fired power stations, are by far the biggest contributors to these higher costs for Australian households and small businesses - as well as an over-reliance on expensive gas, which is in short supply.
Submission to NSW Emergency Backstop Mechanism & CER Installer Portal
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Consultation Paper, NSW Emergency Backstop Mechanism and Consumer Energy Resources Installer Portal.