Energy in Australia#Oil

File:Australian Energy Flows 2019-20 0.png

In 2009, Australia had the highest per capita {{CO2}} emissions in the world. At that time, Maplecroft's {{CO2}} Energy Emissions Index (CEEI) showed that Australia releases 20.58 tons of {{CO2}} per person per year, more than any other country.{{cite web|title=The World's Biggest Polluters|url=http://www.thenewecologist.com/2009/10/the-worlds-biggest-polluters/|website=The New Ecologist|access-date=19 April 2018|date=2009-10-15}} However, emissions have since been reduced. From 1990 to 2017, emissions per capita fell by one-third, with most of that drop occurring in the more recent years. Additionally, the emissions intensity of the economy fell by 58.4 percent during the same time period. These are the lowest values in 27 years.{{Cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/greenhouse-gas-measurement/publications/quarterly-update-australias-national-greenhouse-gas-inventory-mar-2017|title=Department of the Environment and Energy|last=Energy|first=Department of the Environment and|date=2017-07-26|website=Department of the Environment and Energy|language=en|access-date=2017-09-07}}

{{Further|Coal in Australia}}

In 2003, coal-fired plants produced 58.4% of the total capacity, followed by hydropower (19.1%, of which 17% is pumped storage), natural gas (13.5%), liquid/gas fossil fuel-switching plants (5.4%), oil products (2.9%), wind power (0.4%), biomass (0.2%) and solar (0.1%).OECD/IEA, p. 96

The total generating capacity from all sources in 2008-9 was approximately {{convert|51|GW}} with average capacity utilisation of 52%. Coal-fired plants constituted a majority of generating capacity which in 2008-9 was {{convert|29.4|GW}}. In 2008–9, a total of {{convert|143.2|TWh}} of electricity was produced from black coal and {{convert|56.9|TWh}} from brown coal. Depending on the cost of coal at the power station, the long-run marginal cost of coal-based electricity at power stations in eastern Australia is between 7 and 8 cents per kWh, which is around $79 per MWh.

In 2009, Australia was the fourth-highest coal producer in the world, producing 335 megatonnes (Mt) of anthracite (black coal) and 64 Mt of lignite (brown coal).[http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf IEA Key energy statistics 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011091637/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf |date=11 October 2010 }} Pages: 15 Australia was the biggest anthracite exporter, with 31% of global exports (262 Mt out of 836 Mt total). Lignite is not exported. 78% of its 2009 anthracite production was exported (262 Mt out of 335 Mt total). In this respect, Australia is an exception to most anthracite exporters. Australia's global anthracite export share was 14% of all production (836 Mt out of 5,990 Mt total).[http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf IEA Key energy statistics 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011091637/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf |date=11 October 2010 }} Pages:15

In 2021, Australia was the world's fifth-largest hard coal producer, following China, India, the United States, and Indonesia. Coal remained important to Australia's energy sector, representing 64% of domestic energy production, 32% of the Total Energy Supply (TES), and 53% of electricity generation. Moreover, Australia had the second-highest usage of coal in energy production and electricity generation among International Energy Agency (IEA) countries. Between 2010 and 2020, the share of coal in energy production dropped from 76% to 65%, in TES from 40% to 30%, and in electricity generation from 71% to 55%.

In 2020, Australia operated 91 hard coal and three lignite mines, with over 200 coal deposits. Most hard coal mines were in Queensland (67%) and New South Wales (30%), while lignite mines were mainly in Victoria's Gippsland Basin, notably the Latrobe Valley.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Australia 2023 - Energy Policy Review |url=https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/02a7a120-564b-4057-ac6d-cf21587a30d9/Australia2023EnergyPolicyReview.pdf |website=International Energy Agency}}

File:AustGasReserves2008.png

File:MainLineValve7.jpg

Australia's natural-gas reserves are an estimated 3,921 billion cubic metres (bcm), of which 20% are considered commercially proven (783 bcm). The gas basins with the largest recoverable reserves are the Carnarvon and Browse basins in Western Australia; the Bonaparte Basin in the Northern Territory; the Gippsland and Otway basins in Victoria and the Cooper-Eromanga basin in South Australia and Queensland. In 2014–2015 Australia produced 66 bcm of natural gas, of which approximately 80% was produced in Western Australia and Queensland regions.{{Cite web|url=https://industry.gov.au/Office-of-the-Chief-Economist/Publications/Pages/Australian-energy-statistics.aspx|title=Australian Energy Statistics}} Australia also produces LNG; LNG exports in 2004 were 7.9 Mt (10.7 bcm), 6% of world LNG trade.OECD/IEA, pp. 131–137 New polling by the Australia Institute reveals that a majority of Australians support taxing gas exports, a policy put forward during the election campaign by both the Liberal Party and the Greens—regardless of which party they believe proposed it.{{Cite web |date=3 May 2025 |title=Polling: Gas exports |url=https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/polling-gas-exports/ |website=The Australia Institute}}

Australia also has large deposits of coal seam methane (CSM), most of which are located in the anthracite deposits of Queensland and New South Wales.

On 19 August 2009, Chinese petroleum company PetroChina signed a A$50 billion deal with American multinational petroleum company ExxonMobil to purchase liquefied natural gas from the Gorgon field in Western Australia,Stephen McDonell, 19 August 2009, [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2660091.htm Record gas deal between China and Australia – AM] – Australian Broadcasting CorporationBabs McHugh, 19 August 2009, [http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2008/s2660434.htm Massive sale from Gorgon Gas Project] – Australian Broadcasting Corporation the largest contract signed to date between China and Australia. It ensures China a steady supply of LPG fuel for 20 years, forming China's largest supply of relatively clean energy.David McLennan, 20 August 2009, [http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/australia-to-be-global-supplier-of-clean-energy/1601141.aspx Australia to be 'global supplier of clean energy'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918192114/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/australia-to-be-global-supplier-of-clean-energy/1601141.aspx |date=18 September 2009 }} – The Canberra Times The agreement was reached despite relations between Australia and China being at their lowest point in years after the Rio Tinto espionage case and the granting of an Australian visa to Rebiya Kadeer.Peter Ryan, 19 August 2009, [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2660092.htm Deal means 2.2 million tonnes exported per year – AM] – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

In 2021, natural gas was a significant component of Australia's energy sector, making up 29% of its energy production, 28% of the Total Energy Supply (TES), 19% of electricity generation, and 17% of Total Final Consumption (TFC). Sector-wise, natural gas usage was highest in electricity and heat generation at 33.9%, followed by the industrial sector at 23.3%. Residential buildings accounted for 10.8% of natural gas consumption, while service sector buildings and the transport sector had smaller shares at 2.9% and 1.3%, respectively.

Companies shipping liquefied natural gas from Australia have garnered enormous profits nearing $100 billion since 2022, a period marked by soaring energy prices due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Ogge |first=Mark |last2=Saunders |first2=Matt |last3=Campbell |first3=Rod |date=30 April 2025 |title=War gains: windfall profits on liquified natural gas exports, 2022-24 |url=https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/war-gains-windfall-profits-on-liquified-natural-gas-exports-2022-24/ |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=The Australia Insitute}}

Australia's oil production peaked in 2000, after gradually increasing since 1980.[http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=10069 Australia: Energy profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001080326/http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=10069|date=1 October 2011}} 26 June 2007, Energy Publisher accessdate 3 July 2011 Net oil imports rose from 7% of total consumption in 2000 to 39% in 2006. Decreasing domestic oil production is the result of the decline of oil-producing basins and few new fields going online.

In 2021, oil comprises 52% of the Total Final Consumption (TFC) and 32% of the Total Energy Supply (TES). It contributes to 4% of domestic energy production and 1.8% of electricity generation. Oil consumption in 2020 was 892.3 thousand barrels per day (kb/d), with domestic transport consuming 65.4% of this amount. Industry, including non-energy consumption, accounted for 22.4%, international bunkering for 9.1%, buildings for 2.4%, and electricity and heat generation for 0.4%.

{{main|Oil shale in Australia}}

Australia's oil shale resources are estimated at 58 billion barrels, or 4,531 million tonnes of shale oil. The deposits are located in the eastern and southern states, with the greatest feasibility in the eastern Queensland deposits. Between 1862 and 1952, Australia mined four million tonnes of oil shale. The mining stopped when government support ceased. Since the 1970s, oil companies have been exploring possible reserves. From 2000 to 2004, the Stuart Oil Shale Project near Gladstone, Queensland produced over 1.5 million barrels of oil. The facility, in operable condition, is on care and maintenance and its operator (Queensland Energy Resources) is conducting research and design studies for the next phase of its oil-shale operations.[http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/info/aimr/shale_oil.jsp Shale oil. AIMR Report 2006] Geoscience Australia, accessdate=30 May 2007 [https://web.archive.org/web/20070213212733/http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/info/aimr/shale_oil.jsp] archivedate 13 February 2007 A campaign by environmentalists opposed to the exploitation of oil-shale reserves may also have been a factor in its closure.[http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/news-and-events/media/releases/climate-change/climate-changing-shale-oil-ind Climate-changing shale oil industry stopped] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128125343/http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/news-and-events/media/releases/climate-change/climate-changing-shale-oil-ind |date=28 November 2007 }} Greenpeace Australia Pacific, 3 March 2005, accessdate 28 June 2007

As of 2021, Australia no longer engages in the commercial production of oil shale.

Biomass power plants use crops and other vegetative by-products to produce power similar to the way coal-fired power plants work. Another product of biomass is extracting ethanol from sugar mill by-products. The GGAP subsidies for biomass include ethanol extraction with funds of $7.4M and petrol/ethanol fuel with funds of $8.8 million. The total $16.2M subsidy is considered a renewable energy source subsidy.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

Biodiesel is an alternative to fossil fuel diesel that can be used in cars and other internal combustion engine vehicles. It is produced from vegetable or animal fats and is the only other type of fuel that can run in current unmodified vehicle engines.

Subsidies given to ethanol oils totaled $15 million in 2003–2004, $44 million in 2004–2005, $76 million in 2005–2006 and $99 million in 2006–2007. The cost for establishing these subsidies were $1 million in 2005–2006 and $41 million in 2006–2007.{{cite journal|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bd/2003-04/04bd033.htm#Purpose |title=Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Bill 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060911055737/http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bd/2003-04/04bd033.htm |archive-date=11 September 2006 }}

However, with the introduction of the Fuel Tax Bill, grants and subsidies for using biodiesel have been cut leaving the public to continue using diesel instead.[http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/n16229-10-2006.pdf Biodiesel – fuel tax credits and fuel grant entitlements] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930154912/http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/n16229-10-2006.pdf |date=30 September 2007 }}. Australian Taxation Office. The grants were cut by up to 50% by 2010–2014. Previously the grants given to users of ethanol-based biofuels were $0.38 per litre, which were reduced to $0.19 in 2010–2014.{{cite journal |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2006/s1828509.htm |title=Biodiesel industry fearful of future after subsidy cuts |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.alternativefuels.com.au/downloads/bionews4.pdf |title=Alternative Fuels and Energy – Biodiesel Newsletter #6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829034029/http://www.alternativefuels.com.au/downloads/bionews4.pdf |archive-date=29 August 2007 }}

{{Main|Geothermal power in Australia}}

There are vast deep-seated granite systems, mainly in central Australia, that have high temperatures at depth and these are being drilled by 19 companies across Australia in 141 areas. They are spending A$654 million on exploration programs. South Australia has been described as "Australia's hot rock haven" and this emissions-free and renewable energy form could provide an estimated 6.8% of Australia's baseload power needs by 2030. According to an estimate by the Centre for International Economics, Australia has enough geothermal energy to contribute electricity for 450 years.{{cite web |title=Scientists get hot rocks off over green nuclear power |date=12 April 2007 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924200256/https://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/hot-rock-power-the-way-ahead/2007/04/11/1175971183212.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/hot-rock-power-the-way-ahead/2007/04/11/1175971183212.html}}

{{main|Uranium mining in Australia}}

Australia has many Uranium deposits.{{Cite web|url=https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/uranium-resources/supply-of-uranium.aspx|title = Uranium Supplies: Supply of Uranium - World Nuclear Association}} However, Australia does not have any nuclear power plants and has laws preventing their use.{{Cite web |title=Nuclear power for Australia: A potted history |url=https://www.energycouncil.com.au/analysis/nuclear-power-for-australia-a-potted-history/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Australian Energy Council |language=en}}

{{main|Electricity sector in Australia}}Since 2005, wind power and rooftop solar have led to an increasing share of renewable energy in total electricity generation.{{Cite web|title=State of the energy market, 2020 {{!}} Australian Energy Regulator|url=https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2020|access-date=2017-07-11|website=www.aer.gov.au|language=en}} Comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria, [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2018 2018], [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-may-2017 2017], [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2015 2015], [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2014 2014], [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2013 2013], [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2012 2012], [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2011 2011], and [https://www.aer.gov.au/publications/state-of-the-energy-market-reports/state-of-the-energy-market-2010 2010] Due to its large size and the location of its population, Australia lacks a single grid.http://www.genifoundation.org.au/images/Energy_Grid_Aust_2009_April_m.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=March 2022}}

|caption = Australian Electricity Generation by Type FY 2022-2023

|value1 = 35.0

|label1 = Black Coal

|color1 = black

|value2 = 17.8

|label2 = Natural Gas

|color2 = orange

|value3 = 11.5

|label3 = Brown Coal

|color3 = brown

|value4 = 1.8

|label4 = Oil

|color4 = grey

|value5 = 15.3

|label5 = Solar

|color5 = yellow

|value6 = 11.4

|label6 = Wind

|color6 = blue

|value7 = 6.1

|label7 = Hydro

|color7 = lightblue

|value8 = 1.1

|label8 = Bio Energy

}}

File:Australia electricity production.svg

File:Australian Electricity Generation, by type, 2017.pngAs of 2011, electricity producers in Australia were not building gas-fired power stations,(22 May 2011).[http://www.abc.net.au/insidebusiness/content/2011/s3223453.htm Carbon tax is delaying investment: McIndoe]. Inside Business. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved on 12 March 2012. while the four major banks were unwilling to make loans for coal-fired power stations, according to EnergyAustralia (formerly TRUenergy).Royce Millar & Adam Morton (21 May 2011). [http://www.theage.com.au/national/big-banks-no-to-coal-plant-20110520-1ewxj.html Big banks 'no' to coal plant]. The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved on 12 March 2012. In 2014, an oversupply of generation was expected to persist until 2024.{{cite web|last1=Mark|first1=David|title=Australia faces unprecedented oversupply of energy, no new energy generation needed for 10 years: report|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-08/australia-faces-unprecedented-oversupply-of-energy-report-says/5658926 |website=ABC|access-date=7 September 2017|date=2014-08-08}} However, a report published in 2017 by the Australian Energy Market Operator projected that energy supply in 2018 and 2019 is expected to meet demands, with a risk of supply falling short at peak demand times.{{cite web|title=Energy Supply Outlook|url=https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/Files/Electricity/NEM/Planning_and_Forecasting/NEM_ESOO/2017/2017-Energy-Supply-Outlook.pdf |publisher=AEMO|access-date=7 September 2017}}

From 2003 to 2013 real electric prices for households increased by an average of 72%. Much of this increase in price has been attributed to over-investment in increasing distribution networks and capacity. Further price increases are predicted to be moderate over the next few years (2017 on) due to changes in the regulation of transmission and distribution networks as well as increased competition in electricity wholesale markets as supply and demand merge.{{Cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BriefingBook44p/EnergyPrices |title=Energy prices—the story behind rising costs|last=Swoboda|first=Kai |website=Parliament of Australia|access-date=12 September 2017}}

In 2021, Australia generated a total of 265 Terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. The breakdown of the electricity generation mix was as follows: coal at 52.9%, natural gas at 18.8%, solar at 10.5%, wind at 9.3%, hydro at 5.6%, oil at 1.8%, and bioenergy and waste at 1.3%. Electricity consumption for the year was 239 TWh, with the industry sector consuming 43%, residential buildings and service sector buildings each contributing 27% to the total consumption, and the transport sector accounting for 3%. The increase in solar power has expanded the duck curve, and 4.5 TWh of solar and wind power was curtailed in 2024.{{cite web |title=Snowy Hydro-worth of solar and wind wasted in 2024, as curtailment continues to bite |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/snowy-hydro-worth-of-solar-and-wind-wasted-in-2024-as-curtailment-continues-to-bite/ |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |date=4 February 2025}} The large increase in battery capacity complements variations for incumbent generators, but also occasionally set a high market price for electricity.{{cite web |last1=Rayner |first1=Tristan |title=Battery energy storage breaks records in Australia in Q1 2025 |url=https://www.ess-news.com/2025/05/08/battery-energy-storage-breaks-records-in-australia-in-q1-2025 |website=Energy Storage |date=8 May 2025}}{{cite web |title=Charge, Discharge, Dominate: Batteries are emerging as tool of choice for exercising market power |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/charge-discharge-dominate-batteries-are-emerging-as-the-tool-of-choice-for-exercising-market-power/ |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |date=14 May 2025}} A virtual power plant program may yield 6 GWh of house batteries.{{cite web |last1=Carroll |first1=David |title=Labor election win brings Australian household battery rebate |url=https://www.ess-news.com/2025/05/06/labor-election-win-brings-australian-household-battery-rebate/ |website=Energy Storage |date=6 May 2025}}

{{Main| Renewable energy in Australia}}

{{Further|Wind power in Australia|Feed-in tariffs in Australia|Solar power in Australia|Solar thermal energy in Australia|Solar hot water in Australia}}

File:Reneweable energy generation by state 2023.png

Renewable energy has potential in Australia, and the Climate Change Authority is reviewing the 20-percent Renewable Energy Target (RET). The production of 50 megawatts of wind power (power for nearly 21,000 homes annually) creates about 50 construction jobs and five staff positions.scheme (2012).[http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/Clean Energy Council]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/dms/cec/reports/2012/CEC_WindJobsInvestment_FullReport/Wind%20Farm%20Investment%2C%20Employment%20and%20Carbon%20Abatement%20in%20Australia.pdf |title=Wind Farm Investment, Employment and Carbon Abatement in Australia |access-date=10 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419223222/http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/dms/cec/reports/2012/CEC_WindJobsInvestment_FullReport/Wind%20Farm%20Investment%2C%20Employment%20and%20Carbon%20Abatement%20in%20Australia.pdf |archive-date=19 April 2013 |url-status=dead }} In recent years, wind and solar power have been the fastest growing source of energy in Australia.{{cite web | url=https://www.solarchoice.net.au/blog/australia-tipped-to-add-70000-home-batteries-in-2019-lead-global-demand/ | title=Australia tipped to add 70,000 home batteries in 2019, lead global demand | date=11 February 2019 }} Geothermal energy is also growing, but at the present time, it only accounts for a small portion of energy in Australia.

Lower energy use could save A$25 billion, or A$840 per electricity customer, according to EnergyAustralia.{{cite web|title=Australia's largest solar farm opens amid renewable target debate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/10/australia-solar-farm-renewable-target |website=The Guardian |date=10 October 2012 |quote=The Greenough River Solar project in Western Australia is expected to have enough capacity to power 3,000 homes.}}

{{main|Climate change in Australia}}

File:Tmean.aus.0112.2825.png

Australian total emissions in 2007 were 396 million tonnes of CO₂. That year, the country was among the top polluter nations of the world per capita. Australian per-capita emissions of carbon dioxide in 2007 were 18.8 tons of CO₂, compared to the EU average of 7.9 tons. The change in emissions from 1990 to 2007 was +52.5 percent, compared to the EU's -3.3 percent.[http://webbshop.cm.se/System/TemplateView.aspx?p=Energimyndigheten&view=default&cat=/Broschyrer&id=e0a2619a83294099a16519a0b5edd26f Energy in Sweden 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016045634/http://webbshop.cm.se/System/TemplateView.aspx?p=Energimyndigheten&view=default&cat=%2FBroschyrer&id=e0a2619a83294099a16519a0b5edd26f |date=16 October 2013 }}, Table 1: Emissions of carbon dioxide in total, per capita and per GDP in EU and OECD countries, 2007 The per-capita carbon footprint in Australia was rated 12th in the world by PNAS in 2011.[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/interactive/2011/dec/08/carbon-emissions-global-climate-talks?intcmp=122 Which nations are really responsible for climate change - interactive map] The Guardian 8 December 2011 (All goods and services consumed, source: Peters et al PNAS, 2011)

Due to climate change, Australia is expected to experience harsher extreme weather events, mainly bush-fires and floods during summer.{{Cite journal|last1=Head|first1=Lesley|last2=Adams|first2=Michael|last3=McGregor|first3=Helen V.|last4=Toole|first4=Stephanie|date=2014-03-01|title=Climate change and Australia|journal=Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change|language=en|volume=5|issue=2|pages=175–197|doi=10.1002/wcc.255|bibcode=2014WIRCC...5..175H |s2cid=131481369|issn=1757-7799|url=https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1620&context=sspapers}} Rising sea levels are of particular concern for Australia, because most of the population lives on the coast (around 85%).{{Cite web|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science/climate-change-future/sea-level|title=Department of the Environment and Energy|last=Energy|first=Department of the Environment and|date=2014-06-02|website=Department of the Environment and Energy|language=en|access-date=2017-09-07}}

File:ABS-6291.0.55.003-LabourForceAustraliaDetailedQuarterly-EmployedPersonsByIndustrySubdivisionSex-EmployedTotal-ElectricitySupply-Persons-A2546153X.svg

File:Australian Census 2011 demographic map - Australia by SLA - BCP field 7364 Electricity gas water and waste services Total.svg

When analysing employment data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies the electricity and gas supply industry as part of the Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Division.{{cite report |author1=Australian Bureau of Statistics |author2=Statistics New Zealand |author-link1=Australian Bureau of Statistics |author-link2=Statistics New Zealand |date=2006 |title=Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 2006 (ANZSIC)

|url=http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/5718D13F2E345B57CA257B9500176C8F/$File/12920_2006.pdf |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |page=200}} That division is the smallest industry in Australia in terms of employment.{{cite web|title=Electricity, Gas, Water, Waste Services|url=http://joboutlook.gov.au/industryspecific.aspx?search=Industry&Industry=D|website=Job Outlook|access-date=22 December 2017}}

In November 2017, the number of people employed in electricity supply, which includes electricity generation, transmission and distribution, was 64,200 (47,700 males, 16,600 females).{{cite report |author=Australian Bureau of Statistics |author-link=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=2017 |title=6291.0.55.003 - Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, Nov 2017, Table 06. Employed persons by Industry sub-division of main job (ANZSIC) and Sex |url= http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6291.0.55.003Nov%202017?OpenDocument |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics }} The number of people employed in gas supply was 11,200 (9,000 males, 2,200 females). The total number of persons employed in electricity and gas supply industries was 75,400. This represents about 0.67 percent of all employed persons in Australia.{{efn|name="round1"|These figures are rounded to the nearest 100 persons}}

In 2016, the major occupations in this division were truck drivers (9,900), electricians (7,700), electrical distribution trades workers (5,400), and electrical engineers (4,400).{{cite report |author=Department of Employment, Australian Government |author-link=Department of Employment (Australia) |date=2016 |title=4. Main Employing Occupations |url= http://lmip.gov.au/PortalFile.axd?FieldID=2789837&.xls |publisher= Department of Employment, Australian Government }}{{efn|name="round1"}}

In 2015–16, annual direct full-time equivalent employment in renewable energy in Australia was estimated at 11,150. Employment in renewables peaked in 2011–12, probably due to the employment of construction workers to build renewable energy facilities. However, it decreased by 36 percent in 2014–15, and by a further 16 percent in 2015–16. The decline is attributed to a decrease in the number of roof-top solar photovoltaic systems being installed on houses. Once construction of renewable energy facilities is completed, and only ongoing maintenance is required, employment falls quite significantly.{{cite report |author=Australian Bureau of Statistics |author-link=Australian Bureau of Statistics |date=2017 |title=4631.0 - Employment in Renewable Energy Activities, Australia, 2015-16|url= http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4631.0|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics }}

For most Australian states and territories the major contributor to employment in renewable energy is solar power. Employment in roof-top solar photovoltaic systems, including solar hot water systems, comprised half of all employment in renewable energy in 2015–16. Employment in large scale solar and wind power is driven primarily by installation activity, rather than ongoing operation and maintenance.

In Western Australia, 93 percent of all jobs in renewable energy are in solar power. The proportion of employment in biomass is significantly greater in Queensland (42 percent), where the sugar industry makes great use of sugar cane to generate electricity for sugar milling and to feed into the grid. Most jobs in Tasmania's renewable energy industry are in hydropower (87 percent).

Jobs in the renewable energy industry are forecast to grow substantially by 2030, driven by growth in electricity demand and new renewable energy capacity.{{cite book |author=Climate Council of Australia |author-link=Climate Council |date=2016 |title=Renewable Energy Jobs: Future Growth in Australia |url=https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/7b40d7bbefbdd94979ce4de2fad52414.pdf |publisher=Climate Council of Australia |isbn=978-0-9945973-3-5 }}{{rp|16}} Conversely, jobs associated with coal-fired power stations are forecast to decline as those plants age and close. Such job losses would disproportionately affect some regional areas, such as the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Gladstone and Rockhampton in Queensland, and Collie in Western Australia. However, it is expected that the number of jobs created in renewable energy will far exceed the number of jobs lost in coal-based generation.{{rp|35}}

{{main|Energy policy of Australia}}

• Fossil-fuel phase-out
• List of coal-fired power stations in Australia
• List of natural gas fired power stations in Australia
• Australian Renewable Energy Agency

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{{Energy in Australia}}

{{Australia topics}}

{{Economy of Australia}}