1. JSA SURVEY – RECRUITMENT ACTIVITY EASES FIVE POINTS

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) monthly survey of at least 1000 employers indicates recruitment activity over the month of April 2023, eased by 5 percentage points to 50% of employers recruiting.  The survey report states, “This month’s recruitment activity rate is comparable to levels recorded at the end of 2021.

• 48% of employers recruited in Capital Cities in April 2023, a decrease of 7 percentage points over the month, and 6 percentage points lower than in April 2022.
• Recruitment activity in Rest of State areas (53%) was higher than in Capital Cities. However, it also eased over the month, falling by 3 percentage points over the month to stand 7 percentage points lower than a year ago.”

In terms of recruitment difficulty, the survey shows an easing of “2 percentage points to 62% of recruiting employers in April 2023, (representing 31% of all employers).

• 59% of recruiting employers had recruitment difficulty in Capital Cities. This was 6 percentage points lower than in both March 2023 and in April 2022.
• On the other hand, in Rest of State areas, recruitment difficulty increased by 2 percentage points to 66% this month, some 4 percentage points higher than a year ago.”

Staffing outlook “over the month to April 2023, there was a 10 percentage point decrease in the proportion of employers expecting to increase staffing levels over the next three months, to 20%.

This is the sharpest monthly decrease since the series started in April 2020 and is now at its lowest level since August 2021 (18%).

• This decline was also evident across both smaller and larger employers, as well as in Capital Cities and Rest of State areas.”

READ MORE HERE

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2. JOINT INDUSTRY SUBMISSION – NATIONAL STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY

The recommendations were:

1. Enable exemplar projects with a critical mass of women on sites, of at least 30%
2. Ensure policies and funding are directed towards priority initiatives such as subsidies for mature-aged apprentices and more effective government procurement mandates.
3. Co-fund with industry a national public relations campaign to attract and retain more women to male dominated sectors.

The submission was in response to a discussion paper, “National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality – Discussion Paper [National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality Consultations] issued by Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

In response the joint industry submission undertook early modelling including a range of cost assumptions for proposals within the submission, such as for the mature age apprentices’ subsidy scheme, female role models and public relations campaign.

The submission recognises that “despite efforts to increase female participation in trades, frustration remains that progress toward gender equality has been marginal at best.”  More needs to be done.

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE SUBMISSION HERE

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3. ELECTRICIAN TRAINING SHOCKER

The article states, “VET system watchers warn brokers for registered training organisations in NSW are pitching trade qualifications “with no study, in a matter of weeks.”

“We can get a certificate or diploma in your desired trade without classroom study through RPL” is the sell.

The quoted price for one electrician qualification is $15 000.

Observers warn of apprentices abandoning formal training in the hope of fast-track certification.

So-called RPL is also being sold to visa holders who want a qualification to assist with immigration.

The Australian Skills Qualification Authority states it is sampling registered training organisations for performance assessment and compliance. The agency also intends a “targeted education campaign” for electrical trainers and a “broader education on the use of RPL in the VET sector.”

Legitimate trades trainers respond ASQA needs to urgently up its activity, with industry experts included in an investigations team, before errors by an untrained worker without proper qualifications gets someone killed.”

READ MORE HERE

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4. LATEST NSW APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINEESHIP NUMBERS – APRIL 2023

This number does not reflect that fact that apprenticeship numbers for the period declined 2.3% as did Worker Trainee numbers, seeing a decrease of 24.6%. 

The increase occurred in New Entrant Trainees of 12.2%.

Traineeship ‘approvals’ for the months January to March saw a significant decline in numbers and mixed rise and fall for apprenticeship numbers over the same quarter.

Traditional trade apprenticeships continued to dominate recruitment numbers with electrical at 10,882 and carpentry at 10,662 respectively, near three times the number of other vocations.  For the month of March 2023, electrical retained number one spot with 612 new apprentices.

RTOs servicing the electrical apprenticeship continue to report capacity constraints in delivery, caused by bottlenecks in available teacher/trainer numbers.

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) fared well over the period January to March 2023, albeit numbers ‘in-training’ are low and well down on 2022 figures of 3,965.

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5. POST-TRADE TRAINING FORUM 30 MAY 2023 – CIV DIPLOMA & A-DIPLOMA

The Forum will discuss training delivery issues and possible solutions associated with access and career pathways to Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma Electrotechnology qualifications.  Includes, gaining a better understanding of the serious problem that was created to post-trade training when they removed the nested CIII Electrician’s qualification within the standalone Certificate IV Electrician’s qualification.

Date:        TUESDAY, 30 MAY 2023

Time:       9.30am to 2.00pm

Venue:     TAFE NSW, Tighes Hill Campus
Riddell Theatre (see map), – Building P (ground floor),
266 Maitland Road, Tighes Hill NSW 2297

For more information and to download the flyer visit: ELECTROTECHNOLOGY POST-TRADE TRAINING FORUM

Contact email Tony Palladino to register your interest to attend at tony@uensw.com.au

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6. REWIRING AUSTRALIA DECLARES NATION’S FIRST ‘ELECTRIFICATION BUDGET’

The articles states, “Rewiring Australia has declared $1.6 billion in new spending as Australia’s first ‘electrification budget’.

The budget will simultaneously address two of Australia’s biggest challenges, reducing cost of living pressure and cutting greenhouse emissions.

Rewiring Australia co-founder and chief scientist Dr Saul Griffith says this budget is a profound reset of climate and energy policy after a lost decade under the previous government.

“We are excited to work with the government over the coming year to optimise the energy system to this commitment to electrification and make these investments go further, and further cut energy costs,” Saul says.

“This is Australia’s first electrification budget. It positions us to become a world leader in the efficient electric energy system of the future. It demonstrates federal ministers have worked hard to start the massive shift towards a new energy paradigm across the economy.”

He adds that the electrification budget builds on Australia’s love affair with rooftop solar. It will help households to realise cost savings from substituting expensive gas machines for clean, electric alternatives.

READ MORE HERE

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7. NECA’S BUDGET RESPONSE ON TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS

The article states, “Regarding training, NECA recognises the shared responsibility of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system and the need for industry and government to influence it.

“However, the current system does not always produce job-ready graduates with the necessary skills,” NECA writes in a statement.

“We urge the government to subsidise adult apprenticeships, mandate the inclusion of appropriate workplace training, provide incentives for greater female apprentice participation and fund critical training in renewable and traditional electrotechnology sectors beyond public campuses.”

NECA adds that it strongly supports a competitive national training market, consisting of public and private registered training organisations (RTOs) overseen by a single national regulator.

“With the emergence of technologies such as batteries, solar infrastructure and electric vehicles, the industry is becoming increasingly important. Attracting and preparing apprentices with the relevant skills and expertise to meet the industry’s future demands, is now more important than ever, particularly as the skills and labour shortage crises continue to pull the handbrake on the productivity improvements so desperately needed in our industry and the wider economy,” NECA writes.

When it comes to clean energy investment and related training opportunities, NECA welcomes the commitment to investing $100 million to support 10,000 new energy apprenticeships.”

READ MORE HERE

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8. R U OK? CREATES CAMPAIGN FOR YOUNG APPRENTICES

The articles states, “R U OK? has created a new mental health program that focuses on the importance of friendship among young apprentices and trainees — because, “when we’re going through tough times, it’s mates who are best placed to understand and lend support”.

The free ‘Be a mate, it’s worth it’ resources encourage trainees and apprentices to foster supportive friendships by regularly checking in with their mates and paying attention to life events and any signs that might indicate a mate is struggling.

Almost half of young people who begin an apprenticeship will not finish it, according to the Wellbeing at work: Apprenticeships and Mental Health1 report from Orygen. One of the leading reasons for this is the impact of apprenticeships on the mental health of young people being affected by challenging working conditions, poor pay or bullying2.

When R U OK? Community Ambassador Megan Cox, 21, was accepted into an apprenticeship program while studying business and IT at TAFE NSW, she initially found it difficult to adjust and experienced anxiety and panic attacks.

“What really helped was being able to be open with those around me about the struggles I was facing,” said Cox, whose input helped shape the campaign. “Knowing I wasn’t alone and knowing people genuinely cared helped me get the support I needed.”

READ MORE HERE

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9. APPRENTICES AND TRAINEES ACHIEVE HIGH EARNINGS AND EMPLOYMENT, NEW REPORT FINDS

The article states, “Young Australians who have completed an apprenticeship/traineeship or postgraduate qualifications report stronger employment outcomes, earnings and job satisfaction than their peers, an Ai Group report has found.

The Ai Group Centre for Education and Training’s latest report, Connecting the dots: Exploring young Australians’ pathways from education and training into work, used survey data from the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY), which followed a cohort of young Australians from age 15 to 25.

Among the sample, the strongest employment outcomes, earnings and job satisfaction were among those who had completed an apprenticeship/traineeship or postgraduate qualifications.  

Apprentice/trainee qualified workers had the highest average weekly wages at age 25, although they also worked the most hours.

Apprentice/trainee paths also produced the highest level of employment (96%) of all the pathways.

READ MORE HERE

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10. UNDERSTANDING OFFSHORE TECHNICAL SKILLS RECORD (OTSR)

The OTSR is part of the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) that applies to applicants seeking skills assessment as part of their skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.

The objective of the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) is to determine whether an applicant can work in Australia at the required skill level for the nominated occupation.  A skills assessment through OSAP is for people who are applying for a skilled migration visa to Australia (excluding 485 or TSS visas), who work in a nominated occupation, and hold a passport from a nominated country or Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is a business unit located within the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.  It is the relevant skills assessing authority for nominated occupations under the Migration Regulations 1994.

TRA is responsible for assessing applicants for 131 of the 674 occupations designated on the Skilled Occupation List maintained by the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs). TRA is the only authority approved to undertake skills assessment for these 131 occupations with the exception of VET Teacher.  Three licenced occupations are covered by the Skilled Occupation List:

• Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
• Electrician (General and Special Class)
• Plumber (General).

TRA skills assessments are intended to ensure that a successful applicant can perform at the required skill level for their nominated occupation. The skills assessments also provide an assurance to government and to the individual that their training and experience is relevant and appropriate for the Australian labour market.

Applicants receive an OTSR if they complete a skills assessment through a TRA-approved RTO.

An OTSR is a nationally recognised document that entitles the holder to a provisional licence.  Most Australian state and territory regulatory bodies have agreed for the OTSR to be accepted as a form of ‘entry level’ licence.

The OTSR records the technical skills demonstrated against the relevant Australian VET qualification.

To receive an Australian VET qualification for that occupation, the applicant must also undertake:

• Australian context gap training, and
• a period of supervised employment in the specific trade.

RTOs should consider carefully undertaking RPL activities and issuing an Australian qualification covered by an occupational licence to overseas applicants, who may hold an unvalidated equivalent overseas occupational qualification and may wish to seek migration to Australia, whilst on a work visa. 

RTOs should provide guidance and information as to the OTSR process and pathways available those that hold potentially equivalent occupational qualifications (e.g. electrician) from a home country and be encouraged to use a TRA approved RTO.  This will ensure prospective applicants have a more efficient and effective pathway to meeting the OSAP program requirements.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OTSR VIA THIS LINK

References: Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Assessment Review Policy, July 2022; Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Assessment Standards Policy, August 2022; and Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) Applicant Guidelines, April 2023.

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11. NEW PODCAST ON VET DELIVERY IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

This episode discusses the challenges that RTOs face when delivering training in regional Australia, the barriers, and how are they being addressed.

Steve Davis interviews Joanne Payne from Central Regional TAFE, and Tabatha Griffin and Simon Walker from NCVER about these challenges and the need for diverse and flexible training approaches to better meet the needs of people in regional areas.

The discussion draws from VET delivery in regional, rural and remote Australia: barriers and facilitators, published by NCVER on 24 April 2023.

LISTEN TO VOCATIONAL VOICES SEASON 8, EPISODE 1 NOW

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12. LITERACY AND NUMERACY NEEDS OF THE WORKFORCE SURVEY

TAFE NSW’s Industry Innovation Specialist for Foundation Skills Deb Richardson is conducting a short survey to understand what and how the different workforces are being impacted and the types of training that are best suited to your needs.

Could you please spare 3 minutes to complete the survey using the link below.

LITERACY AND NUMERACY NEEDS OF THE WORKFORCE SURVEY

Your feedback will be used by TAFE NSW to guide and shape the delivery of Foundation Skills to address these skill gaps and is greatly appreciated.  Should you wish to discuss this matter further or have any additional questions, please contact:

Debi Richardson, Industry Innovation Specialist

Foundational and Transferable Skills – M: 0438 124 365 or E: Debi.Richardson1@tafensw.edu.au

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13. NETM RELEASES FIRST FULL LIST OF MICROCREDENTIALS FOR ENROLMENT

The NETM is on track to achieve its initial program goal of developing 100 microcredentials between 2022-2025.  NETM microcredentials are non-accredited training not formally recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).  NETM microcredentials are NOT intended to replace or substitute a recognised AQF qualification or statement of attainment, and do not replace or substitute any occupational licencing or registration requirements.

NETM microcredentials are to be offered alongside existing training and provide complementary opportunities for upskilling for the people of Western Sydney.

The updated list is as follows:

• Programming Methods for Modern Industrial Automation
• Fundamentals of Intellectual Property for Industry
• Essentials of Metal Additive Manufacturing
• Semiconductor Business Processes, Integrated Circuit Processes and Devices, and Integrated Circuit Packaging
• Digital Network Operations in Modern Industrial Automation
• Managing Modern Industrial Automation
• Introductory Data Science and AI for Supply Chain Management
• Electricians Working with Modern Industrial Automation
• Foundations of Intelligent Supply Chain Management
• Developing and Sustaining Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces
• Introduction to Technical Drawings
• Create Technical Drawings

For more information regarding the list of microcredentials open for enrolment, head to the respective Education Partner’s enrolment page via this portal: COURSE CATALOGUE

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14. SOLAR INSTALLER FINED AFTER IGNORING SEVEN METRE FALL RISK

The article published on the WorkSafe Victoria website on 4 April 2023 states, “The company was convicted and fined an aggregate $30,000 for failing to provide a safe system of work and failing to ensure a Safe Work Method Statement was in place for High Risk Construction Work.

…

The court heard that in September 2021, a WorkSafe inspector observed five of the company’s workers removing solar panels from the roof of an industrial warehouse in Corio, the tallest part of which was seven metres high.

None of the workers were wearing available harnesses and there was no edge protection because, although guard rail footings had been installed, no railings were present.

Despite the work constituting High Risk Construction Work due to the risk of a fall from a height greater than two metres, the workers indicated a Safe Work Method Statement had not been prepared due to difficulties with an online application.

An investigation found WorkSafe inspectors had previously discussed fall risks with the company on nine occasions and issued improvement or prohibition notices on five of those.

…

WorkSafe Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said the risks and too often deadly consequences of falls from height were notorious.

“It beggars belief that safety measures such as harnesses and guard rails were available to these workers but were not being used at the time,” Dr Beer said.”

READ MORE HERE

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15. SAFEWORK NSW WORKING AT HEIGHTS—POST CAMPAIGN RESEARCH SURVEY

Your feedback will help SafeWork NSW improve its communication, and work towards increasing safety in the workplace.

SafeWork NSW wants to hear from:

• People working in the construction industry
• People working in business with an annual turnover of less than $100M

What you need to know:

• You can provide your opinion by participating in the survey HERE
• Your opinion will be anonymous
• The survey closes on the 28th May 2023
• It will take about 10 minute to complete.

SafeWork NSW will appreciate your participation in the survey and if you have any questions or feedback about the survey, please contact them at campaignresearch@customerservice.nsw.gov.auor construction@safework.nsw.gov.au

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16. LIGHTNING SEMINARS FOR MINING AND QUARRYING

The program covers AS 1768:2021, legal issues around lightning, electric shock mechanisms, surge protection, statistics and risk ratios associated with lightning, effects on people and first aid, control measures and risk reduction, lightning protection systems, lightning earthing and bonding systems, lightning management for underground and mining, and more.

PowerLogic operates from the mid-north coast of NSW at Gladstone (a small village between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour).  PowerLogic’s mission is to provide high quality electrical training courses and be the first business you think of when you need electrical training.

Electrical Safety Advocate and Specialist Trainer, Chris Halliday, has over 40 years in the electrical industry, specializing in electric incident/shock investigation training, electrical safety and power quality strategy.  Daniel Halliday, CEO and Trainer brings a wealth of practical experience to PowerLogic with his 20+ years in the industry.

LEARN MORE HERE

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17. UNLICENSED TRADESMAN CONVICTED

The article states, “Energy Safe Victoria has urged the community to ensure people carrying out electrical and plumbing works carry the appropriate licences and registrations, following the conviction of an unlicensed and unregistered worker who installed air conditioners across Melbourne after advertising his services on Facebook Marketplace.

Keenan Blair Grobler was convicted and fined $10,000 in the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 8 May after being found guilty of 10 charges under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and nine charges under the Building Act 1993.

Electrical and plumbing work needs to be carried out by licensed and qualified workers to ensure it is done safely and in line with regulations.

Grobler, who now lives in Scarborough, Western Australia, carried out works in Wyndham Vale, Berwick, Cobblebank, Tarneit and Clyde North between June and November 2020.

During that six-month period, he advertised his services on Facebook Marketplace, before installing nine split system air conditioners across five properties. He also installed two light fittings at one property.

An Energy Safe investigation found the works did not comply with the relevant safety standards and posed a safety risk to the properties, one of which was a family daycare facility. Fortunately, the works did not result in injury.”

READ MORE HERE

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18. PROHIBITION OF TYPE AC RCDs

The circular states, “As stipulated in AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules clause 2.6.2.2.2, Type AC RCDs must not be installed in Australia from 1 May 2023. This change is due to the increased use of electronics, solar energy generation and other similar products with a high direct current (DC) waveform component.

Only Type A, Type B or Type F RCDs may be installed from 1 May 2023.
Type A RCDs are the most suitable replacement designed to operate on both residual sinusoidal alternating currents and residual pulsating direct currents.
This requirement also applies to builders’ power pole supplies as they’re regarded as an installation, and electronic components used by the building industry are plugged into these poles. 

View more information on the Prohibition of Type AC RCDs

RCDs must be marked with either the relevant approval number or the regulatory compliance mark (RCM). If you are unsure whether an RCD is compliant, request a copy of the certificate of conformity from your wholesaler or supplier before purchasing or installing. You can also search the model number on the Electrical Equipment Safety Scheme register at www.eess.gov.au.

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19. ENERGY RATINGS FOR HOUSING STOCK

The article states, “A new joint report by the Property Council of Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia has called for every Australian home to be given an energy performance rating, allowing buyers or renters to know the energy efficiency of their home before moving in.

The report titled ‘Every Building Counts’, sets out a suite of property-focused policy recommendations that would help Australia achieve its decarbonisation goals.

Amongst the report’s 39 recommendations is the creation of a national rating scheme for the energy performance of homes, similar to white goods and electronic appliances.

Property Council chief executive Mike Zorbas said while most people are now used to knowing the energy performance of their fridge, there’s no similar rating system that gives homebuyers a clear picture of a home’s energy consumption.

“The energy rating on your fridge tells you if you are cooling your food and drinks efficiently, but there is no national rating scheme up and running to tell you about the efficiency of heating or cooling your whole home – your most important purchase of all,” Zorbas said.

“It’s high time all Australian home buyers and renters had access to a consistent national rating, so they know the energy bill costs and comfort levels to expect during colder months,” he said.

READ MORE HERE

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20. QLD ELECTRICAL SAFETY ACT TO BE OVERHAULED

The articles states, “he Queensland Government is in the process of overhauling its Electrical Safety Act 2002 in response to the dramatic way electricity use has changed over the past 20 years, with many new technologies and products on the market that could not have been imagined in 2002.

These changes have created new safety risks which need to be managed.

In 2021, the Queensland Government commissioned an independent review of the Act undertaken by Dick Williams.

As part of his comprehensive report into the Act, Williams made a total of 83 recommendations. The recommendations address issues such as the scope of the Act and coverage of emerging energy generation and storage technologies, including solar power and batteries; electric vehicles; hydrogen-based electricity generation; storage technologies; off-grid generation; and regulatory, licensing and supply chain duties reform.

…

The government is releasing the report and asking for feedback from all Queenslanders including through a targeted discussion paper on three key issues from the report as well as general feedback on all issues raised. This feedback will determine what changes will be made to the Act.”

READ MORE HERE

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21. IS YOUR ROOFTOP SOLAR PERFORMING AS WELL AS IT SHOULD? DATA SAYS… PROBABLY NOT

The article states, “Using data from its own pool of 35,000 customers, as well as data from industry statisticians SunWiz, solar monitoring company Solar Analytics says a significant number of Australia’s 3.3 million rooftop solar systems are likely to be underperforming.

For its own customers, this is not a problem for long – Solar Analytics’ monitoring is designed to detect system faults and get them sorted as quickly as possible, while also offering weekly updates on the best energy deal to optimise each household’s solar savings.

But for those who don’t have solar monitoring and aren’t retired engineers, it can be easy to miss the signs of an underperforming solar system.

Stefan Jarnason, the co-founder and CEO of Solar Analytics, says it could take a regular household up to three months to notice even a major drop off in solar production reflected in their energy bill.

But in more marginal cases, some households might never notice that they are not saving as much as they could be – or had done before – if their system was working to its full capacity or paired with a better retail deal.

“At the moment, it’s even more difficult to know because, right now, …you’ve got two complicating factors: First is lots of people are working from home and seasons are changing – they might be changing how they use energy, so their energy use is more variable over the last year or two.

“The other [complicating factor] … is energy prices are going up and they’re about to go up by another 23% in July again,” he says, so any loss of solar production might get put down to that.”

READ MORE HERE

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22. INFINISPARK OPENS NEW FACTORY TO SERVE TRAINING PROVIDERS

InfiniSpark works to help electrical training organisations increase learner engagement by designing innovative training equipment. The CEO, Husnen Rupani, has a saying “Electricity – you cannot see, you cannot hear it, but by the time you feel it, it may be too late.” My main aim is to turn this invisible threat that we call electricity into something that people can understand.”

InfiniSpark has sold more than 850 pieces of equipment to various TAFEs, RTOs, Defence and other Government organisations across Australia since 2017.  Because of the practicality of its products in training and assessment and its excellent service, they have been receiving more orders than ever. This, combined with parts and staff shortages, has increased its lead times.

One of its major goals for 2023 in the category of Service Improvement is to reduce these lead times. To make this possible, they are taking the following steps:

1. Moved into a larger factory in December 2022
2. Expanding our team and building relationships with contractors
3. Stocking more parts and manufacturing for stock

If you would like a tour of our new facility, please email Husnen (info@infinispark.com.au) or call him on 0421 621 390. They can also turn your visit into a PD for your trainers.

For more information visit the website – PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT EQUIPMENT FOR ELECTROTECHNOLOGY & AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL

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23. NSW TO OPENS SECOND GIGAWATT SCALE WIND, SOLAR AND STORAGE TENDER

The article states, “The tender, to be managed by AEMO Services, will open on Monday and will target around 1,000MW of new wind and solar, and up to 550MW of long duration (at least eight hours) storage.

The first tender result, revealed earlier this month, proved some stunning results, including low bids what amounts to a guaranteed floor price for new wind and solar, and a landmark win for an eight hour battery project in the storage division.

What will be interesting about the second round is whether the strike prices for the Long Term Services Agreements (LTESAs) fall further from the sub-$35/MWh achieved in the first tender for solar, and the sub $50/MWh for wind.

The LTESA strike price are not a guaranteed price for the output, but a floor price that still helps provide some revenue guarantee and helps projects obtain debt and equity investments.

It will also be interesting to see the nature of the projects that win the tender. One of the winners of the first round was the 720MW New England solar farm, but much of its first stage is already built and generating into the grid.”

READ MORE HERE

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24. CAN A RENEWABLE GAS TARGET GIVE AUSTRALIA A HYDROGEN HEADSTART?

The article, written by Victoria Baikie, Economic Analyst, Energy Networks Australia, that “while the development of RGTs (Renewable Gas Targets) is relatively new in Australia, there are some international examples we should take note from.”

The article states, “Last week’s budget announced a $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program that aims to bridge the commercial gap for early-stage hydrogen production projects. A renewable gas target (RGT) could complement the Hydrogen Headstart program by showing clear intentions from governing bodies to support the development of both hydrogen supply and end-use markets.

The use of RGTs in Australia is relatively new. For help in developing local RGTs, it would be useful to look to other global examples of policies and strategies for developing renewable gas.

National Hydrogen Strategy

The Federal Government has developed an adaptive National Hydrogen Strategy to establish a strong foundation that support developments in hydrogen[i]. The emphasis of the strategy is on removing market barriers, setting clear regulatory frameworks, building efficient supply and demand, and accelerating the cost-competitiveness of Australian hydrogen.

Actions to deliver changes include financing clean hydrogen supply chains, policies that attract private investment, establishing long-term governance structures and market settings to foster industry growth and competition. While not specifically stated, this scope could include policies such as an RGT.

An update of the strategy is expected to start later this year.

READ MORE HERE

For more, contact Victoria Baikie, Energy Networks Australia

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