What it does: Drives carbon-emission reductions
Staff stats: 335
The good bits: Helping save the planet
The not so good bits: Bureaucratic work practices
Hiring grads with degrees in: Engineering, Maths, IT & Computer Sciences; Finance, Accounting, Economics & Business Administration; Sciences
The Clean Energy Regulator come into being in early 2012 as a result of the passing of the Clean Energy Regulator Act 2011. It’s an independent statutory authority (one that functions as a regulatory agency) and is part of the Department of the Environment and Energy. The Clean Energy Regulator is led by a CEO who reports to the Minister for the Environment and Energy.
As its name suggests, it is “responsible for administering legislation that will reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of clean energy”. In practice, this means activities related to measuring, managing, reducing or offsetting Australia’s carbon emissions. The Clean Energy Regulator is responsible for administering the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme, Renewable Energy Target and Emissions Reduction Fund.
The Clean Energy Regulator supports diversity. It goes to considerable lengths to create “an environment free from discrimination, patronage and favouritism”. It gives a leg-up to Indigenous and those candidates with a disability through its Indigenous Trainee Program and participation in the Australian Public Service’s RecruitAbility scheme. (This supports the employment and career development of people with a disability.)
There are internal networking groups for staff who are female, LGBTIQ or from a “non-Anglo background”, Indigenous, disability and many more. To make life easier for those with caring responsibilities, flexible working arrangements, including job sharing, are available. There are on-site prayer and parent’s rooms. There is mandatory training around bullying and harassment prevention. A network of “workplace harassment contact officers” are available to assist anyone who feels unfairly treated. We are committed to improving awareness across all diversity groups and participate in key cultural and diversity events throughout the year including NAIDOC week, National reconciliation week, National day of people with a disability.
By working for a powerful regulatory agency devoted to “accelerating carbon abatement for Australia”, staff at the Clean Energy Regulator are literally helping save the world.
The Clean Energy Regulator recruits most degrees these include but not limited to : Environmental Science and Management; Development Studies (environmental sustainability); Science (geology) Engineering, Economics, Business, Finance, Law, Arts. (You’ll need to have maintained a credit average.)
Applicants should be team players with excellent analytical and communication skills. Ideally, they will also be “practical, results-oriented people who are able to work under pressure, occasionally in difficult environments, meet tight deadlines and who are proactive in getting out and about and making contacts”. You’ll also need to be an Australian citizen and be willing to live in Canberra.
The recruitment process will involve an online application and online assessment. If you make the shortlist, you’ll then be invited to the Canberra office to take part in an assessment centre. Before receiving a formal offer, you’ll need to obtain a baseline security clearance and satisfy pre-employment checks. (This will require supplying extensive personal information.) You’ll also need to complete a health assessment form.
The one-year grad program is designed to provide participants “with the opportunity to develop a well-rounded knowledge of the work of the agency, gain experience in the public sector and develop a deep understanding of Australia’s biggest policy developments”. It involves rotations to different areas of the agency, an intensive development program and working with your fellow grads to deliver a “major project”. You’ll be paired up with both a mentor and a buddy. By the end of the program, you will have the knowledge and skills to “be an effective technical specialist within the Clean Energy Regulator”.
Like most public-sector employers, the Clean Energy Regulator offers generous super and leave entitlements. Relocation assistance is provided to those grads who need to move to the ACT. Grads get an AP3 ranking, entitling them to a salary between $62,601 – $67,766.
As is the case with most public-sector employers, you’ll need to be patient when it comes to promotions. Given the small size of the agency and the specialised nature of its work, you can expect to have to bide your time waiting for more senior positions to open up. However, after completing the grad program, you will possess a skill set of interest to many public-sector and private-sector employers.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to expand your range of marketable skills. The Clean Energy Regulator’s Enterprise Agreement specifies, “An employee may undertake learning and development activities approved by their supervisor.” Even better, it states, “Employees undertaking formal study which is relevant to the APS may be eligible for reimbursement of course fees and/or a period of study leave.”
Current and former staff are positive about the Clean Energy Regulator, praising its flexible work practices, accessible managers, diverse workforce and friendly culture. They also report enjoying the opportunity to do interesting work related to an important issue.
The Clean Energy Regulator is the Government body responsible for administering legislation to reduce Australia’s carbon emissions and increase the use of clean energy nationwide. Everything we do is connected to measuring, managing, reducing or offsetting Australia's carbon emissions.
As a graduate within our highly regarded Clean Energy Regulator Graduate Development Program, you will have the opportunity to develop a well-rounded knowledge of the work of the agency, have access to ongoing learning and career progression opportunities, and develop a deep understanding of Australia’s biggest policy challenges.
Over the 11 month program, participants will experience:
As a regulatory agency working in a complex environment, we are looking for graduates from varied backgrounds with high-level analytical and communication skills, along with people who work well in teams. Successful applicants will be practical, results-oriented people who are able to work under pressure, occasionally in difficult environments, meet tight deadlines and who are proactive in getting out and about and making contacts.
The ideal candidates will possess the following aptitudes:
We are looking for high-calibre, motivated graduates with a wide range of qualifications and experiences, including, but not limited to:
Graduates will be paid at the APS3 classification, and receive a salary between $62,601 -$67,766, plus 15.4% superannuation. Upon successful completion of the program, you will advance to an APS4 classification, and you will receive a salary between $70,347 - $74,219 plus 15.4% superannuation.
Furthermore, as full-time ongoing Clean Energy Regulator employees, graduates are entitled to generous leave entitlements, including 20 days annual leave, 20 days paid personal/carer’s leave, public holidays and paid Christmas-shut down without you needing to use your leave entitlements. For more information, see the Clean Energy Regulator Enterprise Agreement 2019-2022.
The Clean Energy Regulator operates out of one national office in Canberra. Graduates who are relocating to Canberra from interstate will be provided assistance with their relocation. This includes payment for travelling to Canberra, a moving company to move your goods, and storage of your items. When you first arrive in Canberra, the Clean Energy Regulator will also organise and pay for up to 4 weeks of temporary accommodation.
As outlined in the letter of offer, all of our Graduates are employed as permanent full-time employees. You will be required to satisfactorily meet your probation period which will be the duration of the program. After satisfactory completion of the 11-month Graduate Program, you will be placed into an ongoing position.
Throughout the Graduate Development Program, you will be provided with the necessary training and development required to be effective in your role and to provide you with the foundation and skills required to launch your APS career.
As a Clean Energy Regulator graduate, you will have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Public Service Graduate Development Program (APS GDP), run by the Australian Public Service Commission, alongside graduates from other Australian Public Service agencies and departments. This program includes comprehensive face-to-face training, networking opportunities, coaching sessions and assessment activities, as well as delivery of a major project. The APS GDP curriculum is equivalent to a 12-month course load for the following courses and can be used for articulation to:
The Graduate Development Program includes a unique opportunity to complete and present a major project on an agency-identified topic. This project provides you with access to our Executive and business experts across the agency, as well as the opportunity to consult more widely with external stakeholders in the public and private sector. Past projects have gone on to inform changes and improvements within the agency.
Regulatory Officer at Clean Energy Regulator at Clean Energy Regulator
Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) - Science at Australian National University (ANU)
Graduate at Legal Services at Clean Energy Regulator at Clean Energy Regulator