You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.

We invite your input to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) on Essential Energy’s ring-fencing waiver application to establish a dedicated training academy

What is happening?

On 15 May 2025, Essential Energy applied for a ring-fencing waiver to establish a training academy with hubs in Goulburn, Grafton, Orange, Parkes, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga and deliver contestable technical and safety training courses to the electricity industry.

The facility will aim to provide accredited training to future-proof internal workforce sustainability and, through commercial course offerings, address existing skills shortages and evolving training needs across the broader energy sector.

The waiver (from clauses 3.1(b), 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 of the Ring-fencing Guideline (electricity distribution), would enable Essential Energy to offer two certificate IV courses from 2025 to meet current industry demand, ahead of establishing a full training academy by 2027.

Your input is welcomed

The AER will be interested to hear from third parties supporting the waiver on:

  1. Need for skilled workforce in regions for energy projects out to 2050 (project proponents)
  2. What is the current availability of training services in regions for energy projects and where lack of availability, what is the impact on project economics and delivery (project proponents) Benefits to projects and regional economic development of having regionally based workforce training (project proponents, regional councils-business community) in the short and longer-term
  3. Benefits to safety and overall workforce capability in underserved areas.

You can lodge your written submission through the AER website here - Initiation | Australian Energy Regulator (AER), via e-mail to AERringfencing@aer.gov.au.

Submissions must be lodged by close of business on 5 September 2025.

What do you need to do?

  1. Find further information, including the initiation notice, on the AER website, click here to view.
  2. Communicate this information to relevant members of your organisation.

Further Information

If you need further information, please email aspinfo@essentialenergy.com.au.