Australia Needs 42,000 More Energy Tradies: Who's Hiring Apprentices

If you've ever wondered whether becoming an electrician in Australia is a smart move, October 2026 has given us a pretty definitive answer. In the space of a few weeks we've seen a major new apprenticeship academy announced, free specialist training expanded across states, and federal money put towards turning experienced sparkies into teachers. The common thread? Australia simply doesn't have enough electricians for what's coming.

Let's look at who's hiring, what's changed, and how to get yourself in the door.

The size of the gap

Powering Skills Organisation (PSO), the Jobs and Skills Council for the energy sector, laid it out in its August 2026 workforce update, High Load, Short Supply. PSO previously estimated Australia would need an additional 42,000 energy trades workers by 2030. Meeting that would require around 22,000 additional apprentices in training, roughly 40% more than the apprentice numbers reported in 2026.

PSO also says shortages are growing "broader, more interconnected and more complex", driven not just by the energy transition but a convergence of national priorities it calls an energy "supercycle". And it notes the landscape has shifted since those estimates were modelled, with new modelling underway with Race to 2030 and UTS.

Translation: if anything, that 42,000 figure might be conservative.

Who's hiring: Victoria's SEC Apprenticeship Academy

The biggest headline came on 22 October, when the Victorian Government announced the SEC Apprenticeship Academy is getting ready to open its doors.

Here's what we know:

• The SEC (State Electricity Commission) is partnering with NECA Education & Careers and the Electrical Trades Union to launch a pilot giving 40 electrical apprentices a start.
• Expressions of interest open in the coming weeks, with the first apprentices starting early next year, ahead of the Academy itself in the first quarter of 2027.
• Once running, it will be Victoria's largest electrical apprenticeship program, supporting 2,000 apprentices over four years.

The workforce projections behind it are striking. Victoria's energy workforce is expected to grow from around 45,000 workers today to 68,000 by 2040. Electricians working in the state's energy sector are projected to grow by more than 90%, reaching around 8,500 by 2040. EV infrastructure jobs are expected to quadruple to around 14,300, and around 37% of Victoria's energy jobs will be in regional areas.

If you're in Victoria and thinking about an apprenticeship, put a reminder in your calendar now. Forty pilot spots won't last long.

Already licensed? Free battery training in QLD and WA

For qualified sparkies, the most valuable upskill right now is arguably battery storage. Clean Energy Council figures show 276,011 batteries were installed in the first half of 2026, up 52% on the previous six months.

The TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries is funding the Grid-Connected Battery Storage Systems Designer-Installer Skill Set (UEESS00191) for eligible licensed electricians. It's been running in Queensland through TAFE Queensland, and has now expanded to Western Australia via North Metropolitan TAFE, at no cost to participants.

As North Metropolitan TAFE's Mark Mahon put it, the training helps electricians "broaden their skills and increase their earning potential as they meet growing industry demand." Free training plus one of the fastest-growing segments in the trade? That's a no-brainer.

Experienced? Become the person who trains the next generation

Here's a piece of the puzzle people often miss: you can't train 22,000 extra apprentices without more teachers. On 9 October, the Federal Government announced $5 million so more tradies can become trade teachers for free.

PSO CEO Anthea Middleton nailed why it matters: "Australia's energy transition will only move as fast as the skilled workforce behind it. We need experienced electricians and tradespeople not only working in the industry, but helping train the next generation coming through."

If you've got years on the tools and you're thinking about what's next, especially if your body is telling you it's time for a change of pace, teaching is a genuinely rewarding path that keeps your expertise in the industry.

How to become an electrician in Australia: the quick version

The pathway is well established:

1. Find an apprenticeship with an employer or group training organisation. Typically around four years.
2. Complete the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820) through a registered training organisation like TAFE while working.
3. Pass your Capstone assessment and meet your state or territory's licensing requirements.
4. Get licensed with your state regulator, then keep upskilling: solar, batteries, EV charging, data and controls.

Requirements vary by state and territory, so always check with your local licensing regulator. New Zealand has its own registration system through the Electrical Workers Registration Board, and we'll cover the Kiwi pathway in a dedicated post.

My advice for getting in the door

• Apply early and apply widely. Big programs like the SEC Academy, energy networks, large contractors and group training organisations all recruit on cycles.
• Show genuine interest in the tech. Mention solar, batteries, EVs or smart homes in your application. Employers want apprentices who are excited about where the trade is going.
• Don't overlook the regions. With over a third of Victoria's future energy jobs in regional areas, some of the best opportunities are outside the capitals.
• Already licensed? Stack specialisations. Battery designer-installer, EV charging and solar accreditations make you far more valuable in a market this tight.

The bottom line

I genuinely believe this is one of the best times in a generation to become an electrician in Australia. Governments, unions, contractors and TAFEs are all pulling in the same direction, the work is high-tech and meaningful, and demand isn't going anywhere.

Ready to take the next step? Browse electrical jobs and apprenticeships across Australia and New Zealand on ElectricalRoles.com.au.