What it does: Hydro Tasmania generates hydro-electric energy which powers Tasmania and is exported to mainland Australia for distribution across the National Energy Market.
Best known for: Hydro Tasmania is Australia’s largest producer of renewable energy and also the biggest water manager in Australia with approximately A$4.8 billion of assets.
Staff stats: More than 1200 employees.
The good bits: competitive benefits, a structured graduate program and your own training budget.
The not so good bits: Hydro Tasmania’s graduate program is primarily based out of Hobart, Tasmania. Whilst Hobart offers a fantastic lifestyle, if you are looking to work in a large city centre or a different country, this program may not be for you.
Hydro Tasmania has operated for more than 100 years. In 1914, the organisation was known as the Hydro-Electric Department, when the state government of Tasmania established it to complete their first hydro-electric power station. The state-owned business enterprise has evolved to become Australia’s largest producer of renewable energy with 55 major dams, 30 hydropower stations and two wind farms.
Hydro Tasmania’s consulting business, Entura, provides power and water expertise to clients across Australia and Asia. Hydro Tasmania’s retail business, Momentum Energy, supplies energy to customers throughout Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and the Bass Strait islands.
Hydro Tasmania is currently leading Australia’s transition to renewable energy through their Battery of the Nation program, investigating improvements in hydropower and the impact HydroTasmania can have on the National Energy Market. The organisation also recently developed a shared purpose to ‘Make Energy Better’ and a set of shared values known as ‘Our Way’.
The graduate program opens for applications in March of each year. Hydro Tasmania welcomes applications of all ages, races abilities and genders. Shortlisted individuals complete an online video interview before being invited to an assessment day which are held in both Hobart and Melbourne. The assessment involves three stages, comprising an introduction to the company’s operations and staff, group activities and one-on-one interviews.
Hydro Tasmania considers international students for the program only if they are permanent residents, or they graduated from an Australian university and hold a valid Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) throughout the program’s duration. The total process will take no longer than four weeks.
The Hydro Tasmania graduate program gives you the opportunity to rotate through various functions and opportunities through the Hydro Tasmania, Entura and Momentum energy businesses, giving you exposure to all aspects of the energy life cycle and all of the different job functions that are required to deliver energy to customers. Graduates attend a variety of professional development and networking events, and receive an annual individual training budget to invest in furthering their technical skills.
Recent investments in improving the graduate experience have resulted in a dedicated Talent Partner to oversee the induction and onboarding process, coordinate rotations and act as a focal point for graduates to discuss their unique development needs.
The graduate program trains selected candidates for two to three years based on their field of studies. Individuals with the following degrees will be the most relevant people for Hydro Tasmania:
Hydro Tasmania remains a good choice for graduates who prefer a dynamic work environment, however it’s important to note that the organisation is still on a modernisation journey. The evolving duties manifest through job rotations that may include work at the company’s regional sites in Tasmania, Momentum Energy (Melbourne) and Entura.
Graduates earn between AUD65,000 and AUD70,000 plus superannuation as a starting salary. There is a guaranteed annual salary increase everywhere which is calculated on both CPI and achievement of individual performance goals.
Salary appraisals depend on a person’s performance. Other financial benefits include site allowances, leave loading, electricity health insurance discounts, and health and wellbeing programs. Hydro Tasmania offers a paid parental leave program and employees are also paid superannuation during periods of unpaid parental leave.
Remuneration is carefully analysed to ensure that the gender pay gap is not experienced at Hydro Tasmania. Most employees feel satisfied with the company’s compensation scheme and development opportunities.
Flexible working is encouraged and through the engagement survey, employees rate work-life balance as the best aspect of working for Hydro Tasmania. Most people acknowledge the flexibility in work hours and job rotations at Hydro Tasmania. The company expects its employees to have an inherent understanding of workplace safety, especially for field workers, with Hydro Tasmania investing greatly in workplace safety training.
On top of playing a major role in Australia’s transition to renewable energy, Hydro Tasmania’s Community Grant Program donates up to AUD5,000 for non-profit projects in Tasmania. The company also sponsors local events to boost regional tourism. Their partnerships with Colony 47, Hobart City Mission, Red Cross, the Smith Family and the Tasmanian Migrant Resource Centre support community development with the help of Hydro Tasmania’s employees. More than 250 workers volunteer for these projects and our corporate volunteering program allows for using working days to attend volunteer events.
Hydro Tasmania is passionate about diversity and inclusion and recently launched its Disability Inclusion Action Plan, aimed at increasing opportunities for people of all abilities to work and do business with the organisation.
Hydro Tasmania is evolving, by adopting innovative ways of working including Agile methodology and Human Centred Design principles. Previous graduates have expressed concern that the building facilities were a bit dated, this has been addressed by undergoing significant workplace upgrades to facilitate collaboration and productivity and foster wellbeing. Graduates at Hydro Tasmania can embark on their career knowing they are contributing to innovation in renewable energy in Australia.