As an agency within the ACCC, the AER oversees the economic regulation of the wholesale electricity market and gas transmission networks. As our involvement in projects that are critical to the future of Australia’s energy system increases, our tasks have become more specialised. By initiating an independent graduate program separate from the ACCC, we offer a valuable opportunity for graduates to immerse themselves in the dynamic energy sector, including Australia’s transition to net zero.
Graduate opportunities at the Australian Energy Regulator
Work in an exciting and challenging environment
Join a team that is playing a pivotal role in ensuring a secure, reliable and affordable energy future for Australia as it transitions to net zero emissions. You will have the opportunity to work on innovative, future-focused initiatives like tariff reform, better energy bills, strategies to tackle consumer vulnerability in the energy market and our energy innovation toolkit.
How to apply
Applications for the 2025 Graduate Program have closed. To register your interest for 2026, please register your interest with our friendly Graduate Careers team.
graduatecareers
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (Register your interest)
Key dates
The following table provides some key dates for the 2025 Graduate Program:
Milestone | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Friday, 10 May 2024 |
| Applications close | Monday, 10 June 2024 |
| Further assessment | June/July 2024 |
| Offers | July/August 2024 |
| Graduates begin | 3 February 2025 |
*Dates subject to change
Selection criteria
We have high expectations of our graduates and create a challenging environment for our graduates to succeed in – will you rise to the challenge?
To be considered, you will:
- have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with all people
- be conscientious
- be resilient with the ability to adapt to a fast paced, challenging and ever changing work environment
- be able to gain new skills and an understanding of complex concepts quickly, and apply these to different situations
- have excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills
- possess a minimum of a Bachelor Degree* with all disciplines considered
- have completed your most recent tertiary studies after February 2020
- have a 65% or higher grade average
- be able to begin employment at the start of the program, Monday 3 February 2025, for an induction program (potentially interstate)
- be willing to undertake and pass a character clearance
- not be serving a Commonwealth Redundancy Benefit period at the start of the program
- be an Australian citizen.
*Qualifications from overseas universities must be recognised by the Overseas Qualifications Unit.
Program benefits
The AER graduate program is highly regarded by our managers, senior executives, employees and our graduates. The program has many benefits including:
- an intensive work program
- challenging rotations across the agency with opportunities try new things
- ongoing on and off the job learning and development to help you hone specialist skills that are relevant to your work
- flexible working conditions, including the ability to work part-time (minimum 30 hours per week), so that you can manage other commitments or enjoy work-life balance
- regular opportunities to network, socialise share experiences and develop relationships with your graduate colleagues across the country
- starting salary of $71,515 per annum agency salary increase from 13 March 2025 to $74,233, advancing to, $80,643 per annum in November 2025 and $93,004 upon successful completion of the program in June 2026
- a workplace that embraces diversity, inclusion and equality.
Are you interested? Register your interest for the 2026 Graduate Program today!
graduatecareersaer [dot] gov [dot] au (Register your interest)
Graduate activities
In the AER Graduate Program, you will work with a range of energy experts and contribute to important work on Australia’s transition to net zero emissions. Our program is structured so that graduates work in a range of areas and take part in diverse activities.
As a graduate your work in the AER could involve:
- analysing information for key market sectors
- presenting to internal and external stakeholders
- actively participate in meetings and contributing to papers and recommendations
- helping to review the economic regulation of network infrastructure.
Our current graduates are working on:
- energy transition
- enforcement and compliance with national, electricity, gas and energy retail laws
- electricity network expenditure and market performance
- corporate and enabling functions including IT, digital transformation, data governance, legal advice, communications and media engagement.
Graduate rotations
Graduate rotations are designed to give graduates an understanding of the broad range of work undertaken by the AER. Each graduate will undertake rotations within the same location across at least two divisions.
