We are unique
Essential Energy is an organisation that values your voice, empowers your autonomy, recognises the strength in diversity, and prioritises your well-being while offering attractive remuneration and benefits. Take pride in having a meaningful impact on regional, rural and remote communities while being a pivotal player in the energy industry's future.
Join us and build a meaningful engineering career while helping power regional NSW. This permanent graduate role offers real projects, strong support, competitive pay and the opportunity to make a genuine impact on communities and the energy transition.
Commencing February 2027, you’ll join a structured two year Graduate Program with rotations, mentoring support and clear career pathways beyond the program. You'll work from our modern Port Macquarie corporate office – a CBD quality workspace designed to support collaboration, flexibility and wellbeing.
About the role
As a Graduate at Essential Energy, you’ll step into a permanent role where your work has real impact from day one. You’ll be trusted with meaningful projects, supported by experienced professionals, and encouraged to use your voice as you build your career.
Our Graduate Program offers two pathways, allowing you to contribute in the way that best aligns with your interests and strengths:
Engineering pathway – work directly with electricity infrastructure and network projects that support safe, reliable and sustainable energy delivery.
Professional pathway – shape how a modern energy organisation operates beyond the network, with opportunities across digital, data, technology, cyber security, AI, risk, business improvement and supply chain.
Through rotations, you’ll gain hands‑on experience, exposure to different teams and insight into how a large, complex essential‑services organisation operates—while developing the technical and professional skills that set you up for long‑term success.
You will:
Complete multiple rotations to build breadth, confidence and capability
Work on real engineering deliverables such as analysis, modelling, reporting, documentation and technical solutions
Learn from experienced engineers and industry specialists who are invested in your development
Contribute to initiatives that support safety, resilience and the transition to renewable energy
Collaborate with diverse teams across geographically dispersed locations
Be supported through mentoring, buddy arrangements and a dedicated graduate development program
Why Start Your Career at Essential Energy?
Competitive starting salary from $111,500 package inclusive of 17% superannuation*
Nine-day fortnight
17% superannuation*
Fitness Passport, corporate health plans, flexible working arrangements
26 weeks paid parental leave + Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A range of learning and development opportunities, including leadership programs and access to LinkedIn Learning
Engineers Australia Program
Fantastic local and regional career opportunities
*Salary shown reflects rates effective from 1 July 2026, in line with Enterprise Agreement increases
Essential Energy provides employees with a broad range of employee benefits through our corporate partnerships with organisations such as Qantas, Optus, nib and Mildura Health Fund. You will also gain access to our Health and Wellbeing programs including fitness passport. Visit our employee benefits page for more information.
We are proud to be recognised as a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for All Women.
About You
You’re curious, motivated and excited to start your career in a supportive and inclusive environment. You’re keen to learn, open to new challenges and motivated by work that makes a positive difference to communities.
You value collaboration, diverse perspectives and psychological safety. You’re comfortable asking questions, learning through experience and building confidence over time.
You don’t need to have everything figured out from day one—what matters most is your willingness to learn, grow and contribute.
About Your Skills
You bring:
Strong analytical, technical or data‑driven thinking and problem‑solving skills
Initiative, curiosity and a desire to build a meaningful career
Clear communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively
A willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic environment
An interest in infrastructure‑based organisations and the energy transition
A commitment to working safely and responsibly
You don’t need to meet every requirement to apply - if you’re motivated, curious and ready to learn, we encourage you to put yourself forward.
Required Qualifications
To be eligible for this role, you will need to hold or be in your final year of one of the following Bachelor degrees:
Engineering Pathway
Engineering (major in Electrical Engineering preferred)
Electrical Power
Power Systems
Electrical & Electronics
Mechatronics
Professional Pathway
- Information Systems, Computer Science, Information Technology
- Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Analytics (or related)
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Engineering (or related)
- Cyber Security
- Commerce, Business, Supply Chain, Procurement or related disciplines
- Other relevant STEM or commercially focused degrees aligned to the stream
You will also need to:
Have a current driver's licence
Be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
Have graduated or be graduating by January 2027
Be available to attend an in-person Assessment Centre in Port Macquarie between 29 June and 12 July
As part of our 2027 Early Talent intake, Essential Energy intends to recruit approximately 30% of these roles as female‑identified opportunities. For the female-identified positions, applicants must identify as being female, in accordance with Essential Energy’s exemption under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) (the “Act”) from sections 25 and 51 of the Act.
*More information about the roles, process (including indicative timeframes) and Graduate Program can be found on our website or to apply please attach your most current cover letter, resume and transcript from your relevant qualification.
Building a better energy future.
Essential Energy is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages applicants to apply regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
As an organisation, our aim is to champion inclusivity in the workplace and celebrate the difference in all our employees.
At Essential Energy, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to Essential Energy (including alternate formats of application forms or alternate ways for accessibility). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact careers@essentialenergy.com.au or call us on 1800 255 777.
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