Overview
This consultation is seeking feedback on the operation of the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP).
The EIJP was established by Part 5 of the Net Zero Economy Authority Act 2024 (NZEA Act), which came into effect on 11 December 2024. A statutory review of Part 5 must be completed within 12 months of the Act commencing, by 10 December 2025.
On 26 June 2025, Net Zero Economy Authority CEO, Mr David Shankey, announced Emeritus Professor Roy Green AM will lead the EIJP Review (the Review). The Review will consider whether the legislation is performing as planned and its likely performance. Your feedback can help the Review to identify potential improvements to the model’s operation and how government can support its operation to be fit-for-purpose into the future.
What is the EIJP?
The EIJP is an Australian Government initiative that supports employees impacted by the closure of coal-fired and gas-fired power stations to prepare for and transition to new employment.
The Authority undertakes a ‘community of interest’ consultation process to consider if the EIJP framework and obligations to support workers should apply to businesses impacted by the closure of a coal- or gas-fired power station. This consultation is intended to help the Authority’s CEO determine how workers and businesses will be impacted. Following consultation, the CEO of the Authority will decide whether to apply to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for a determination to apply the EIJP framework.
Where the FWC names an employer in a determination, they will have obligations to provide transition supports to their employees, including access to career and financial advice, training, and paid time off or flexible working arrangements to access these supports. Obligations can apply to the owner or operator of the power station, as well as businesses within the supply chain that will be directly impacted by the closure.
Additionally, the Authority will provide redeployment assistance to further support workers where the EIJP framework applies. This includes establishing an online jobs board and having on-the-ground coordinators to help link workers with new job opportunities in the region.
Since the Act commenced, provisions in Part 5 of the NZEA Act have applied to 2 power station closures:
Additionally, on 19 December 2024, the CEO exercised statutory discretion to not undertake a ‘community of interest’ consultation process for the Muja C Unit 6 (Collie, WA).
The Authority’s CEO is currently considering whether to make an application to the FWC seeking to enliven the EIJP obligations in relation to either Torrens Island B or Eraring power stations.
Further information about the Energy Industry Jobs Plan can be found on the EIJP website page.
What will the review look at?
The Review will be guided by the Terms of Reference. The consultation paper seeks to support stakeholder consultation and written submissions by looking at:
Operation of the EIJP to date, including experiences of the community of interest processes for Torrens Island B and Eraring power stations.
Expected operation of the EIJP, noting that key parts of the EIJP have not been used in practice.
A fit-for-purpose EIJP into the future, including the merit and timing for a future review of the EIJP.
Feedback can relate to any of the review’s themes. Including examples, data or case studies can help the Reviewer to consider your perspective and suggestions. Discussion questions have been included in the consultation paper and survey linked below, but we welcome any feedback in the scope of the Terms of Reference.
There are some limits to the Review’s scope. The Review won’t propose changes to the purpose of the EIJP or consider the operation of the broader NZEA Act, or other government programs or legislation (e.g. the Fair Work Act 2009). The Review won’t consider the funding assistance to employers hiring employees covered by the EIJP through on-boarding and early retirement incentives, noting arrangements for funding won’t be in place in the review period.
Have your say
We would like to hear from all people, employers and organisations with an interest in the EIJP. This could include, but is not limited to:
workers at coal- and gas-fired power stations or at businesses associated with coal- and gas-fired power stations
unions, including unions that represent workers in coal- and gas-fired power stations and associated employers and sectors
owners and operators of coal- and gas-fired power stations and businesses associated with coal- and gas-fired power stations, including coal mines that supply coal-fired power stations
industry and/or employer peak bodies
businesses in regions with coal- and gas-fired power stations that may want to employ workers who could be impacted by a power station’s eventual closure
academics, policy and legal practitioners and other people with an interest in areas including workplace relations, industry policy, structural adjustment, regional development, productivity and the net zero transition
people and community, advocacy and business organisations with an interest in the socioeconomic impacts associated with the expected closure of coal- and gas-fired power stations and/or
any other interested parties.
To have your say:
Read the Energy Industry Jobs Plan Statutory Review consultation paper and accompanying Terms of Reference.
Complete the consultation survey, and/or lodge a submission.
The consultation closes at 11:59 pm AEST on 5 September 2025.
For general enquiries on the consultation process, including alternative ways to make a submission, please contact [email protected].
Late submissions may be accepted at the discretion of the Reviewer.
