Environment News Australia

Powering the shift Compared to other major developed economies, Australia has the highest per capita emissions of any nation. While roughly 75% of Australia’s electricity consumption is driven by the industrial and commercial sectors, residential energy efficiency still offers a massive opportunity for emissions reduction, despite several structural barriers. As Australian households embrace clean energy technologies, ranging from efficient electric appliances to rooftop solar and batteries, the demand for skilled workers who can deliver them will accelerate sharply. To ensure there are enough skilled workers, a range of actions will be required across industry and government. In September 2026, the Energy Efficiency Council, funded by the Powering Skills Organisation (PSO), launched Powering the shift: Australia’s workforce roadmap for efficient electrification of homes. The roadmap outlines sixteen recommended actions across four key areas to accelerate the retrofit of Australian homes, supporting a transition to efficient, electric, and net zero-compatible housing. The recommendations were developed through extensive consultation with a diverse cross-section of skills organisations and industry stakeholders. The roadmap does not provide an exhaustive account of every element of the workforce and skills landscape for this area. Rather, it serves as a practical tool to align stakeholders around a shared vision and generate momentum for near- to mid-term opportunities for progress. Its purpose is to highlight the most immediate, actionable opportunities that can deliver meaningful improvements to the workforce responsible for efficiently electrifying Australia’s housing stock. Want to know more about the background of this work and the development of the recommended actions? Check out the companion report here. Read more about the EEC and their work here: www.eec.org.au