As Australia’s independent energy markets and power systems operator, AEMO provides critical planning, forecasting and power systems information, security advice, and services to our stakeholders. Our vision is to deliver energy security for all Australians.

AEMO operates the:

• National Electricity Market (NEM), the interconnected power system in Australia’s eastern and south- eastern seaboard.
• Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) and power system in Western Australia.
• Victorian Declared Wholesale Gas Market (DWGM) and the Victorian gas transmission system.
• Wholesale gas Short Term Trading Market hubs in Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. 
• Retail Gas Markets in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales and Australia Capital Territory. 
• Wallumbilla and Moomba Gas Supply Hub in Queensland and South Australia.
• Natural Gas Services Bulletin Board.
• Western Australia Gas Bulletin Board.

The recruitment process

AEMO’s Graduate Development Program runs for three years and is designed to empower graduates to actively shape their future and build a rewarding career in the energy industry. Our program involves working on real projects, shouldering real responsibilities and working alongside some of the nation’s top energy experts. You will complete four nine-month rotations and be supported by a buddy, manager and mentor. You’ll work across the organisation and develop a comprehensive understanding of Australia’s energy markets.

If you’re looking to be among the applicants who make it into the program, you’ll need to demonstrate a passion for energy markets, be adaptable and enjoy challenges, display analytical and problem-solving skills, have a consumer focus and be an excellent communicator. You will also need to have recently finished, or about to finish, a degree in commerce, econometrics, economics, engineering (electrical - power systems, chemical – gas operations), information systems, information technology, mathematics, science or statistical modelling. You will need to have a GPA of at least 75%.

Our recruitment and selection process includes an online application; phone screening, online aptitude testing and assessment centres. Final selections are communicated by early October along with offers of employment with Graduates commence in February 2020.

You may also have the opportunity to work at a site of your choice, with AEMO offices currently located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Norwest and Perth.

Remuneration

AEMO offers competitive remuneration and benefit packages. You may also be eligible for some discounts, on professional memberships, health insurance, gym memberships, and public transport.

Career prospects

After you’ve completed the Graduate Development Program you may be eligible to take part in the Engineers Australia Professional Development Program. AEMO also offers several leadership programs to high achieving employees.

As the nation’s independent market operator, we offer all graduates an unparalleled experience across Australia’s gas and electricity sector. This means that you will have the opportunity to advance your career across a wide range of fields, interact with some of the brightest minds in the sector, and immediately contribute to our rapidly evolving workforce.

It is also an incredibly exciting time to be in the energy sector. With the advent of new technologies, energy resources, and international climate agreements, there is never a shortage of challenges or projects to complete, and an unlimited amount of potential to positively impact Australia’s energy sector and economy for generations to come.

Culturally speaking, AEMO has several active social clubs and an emphasis on teamwork and co-operation. There’s plenty of social events organised after office hours, and an annual Christmas party held at each site. We’re inclusive and supportive of diversity in all its forms, and value the strength that it brings to our organisation and regularly take the time to celebrate charitable causes and national days like R U OK day, International Women’s Day, Harmony Day and Movember.

We also offer our employees a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing and Employee Benefits Program. Some of these benefits include:

• Free onsite counselling sessions. 
• Free ergonomic checks
• Free flu vaccinations
• Free annual health checks
• Free health-related seminars and tutorials
• Discounted gym memberships 
• Discounted health insurance
• Study assistance (aligned to criteria)

Corporate Social Responsibility

At AEMO, we value giving back to our communities wherever we can. That’s why we provide all full-time employees with four days of paid volunteer leave, so they can take the time to support a charity of their choice. As an organisation, we’ve also partnered with Power of Engineering to help run workshops engineering, and the Supply Nation, which provides our employees with the opportunity to procure items from Indigenous owned or run businesses.

Elliot studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) at RMIT University.

What made you choose the AEMO graduate program?

I chose to apply for the AEMO graduate program because I knew that AEMO offered a diverse range of working opportunities, from detailed technical roles, to analytics and forecasting, to project management; I knew I could explore and find a role which suited me. Knowing the current radical transitions taking place throughout the energy industry, I also understood that AEMO was at the forefront of that change. I knew that working at AEMO I would have the opportunity to contribute to that the future of energy in Australia in a meaningful way.

What is your current role at AEMO?

Currently I am completing my second rotation in Network Development. In this role I assess and assist new large-scale generators connecting to the electricity grid, completing technical assessment and analysis of these connections to ensure they mean the requirements of the electricity network.

What is the most exciting thing about working in the Australian energy industry?

Due to the current changes and advances taking place in the industry, there are always new and exciting challenges which need to be overcome. As an employee at AEMO, there is a strong sense of both fulfilment and excitement surrounding the decisions you make and the work you get to be a part of.

What does being an AEMO graduate mean for your future?

Having been able to begin my career at AEMO has meant that I have been given the freedom to truly explore my working interests and understand what I want my future to look like. The program has also given me incredibly valuable experience which makes me confident that I will be a highly employable and highly capable engineer on its completion.

What advice would you give someone who is applying to the program?

I would encourage those applying to jump on our website and see for yourself the diverse and exciting initiatives which AEMO is a part of! Find out what things you would like to contribute to and be involved in within AEMO; then once you’re here, just ask!

Jane studied a double degree in Mechatronics Engineering and Sustainability Science at the Australian National University.

What made you choose the AEMO graduate program?

I wanted to work in an industry where it had a fundamental impact on society and my passion for environmental sustainability actually drove a lot of interest in the renewables space, but then I started realising that it really isn’t as simple as just slapping roof top PV on everyone’s roofs. AEMO is perfectly placed for me to delve deeper into these issues and create a positive outcome for society.

What is your current role here?

As a graduate in the organisation, we do four nine-month rotations through the company which is makes us very unique within the organisation. It opens up the opportunity to gain an extensive amount of breadth (or depth) depending on your interests. I’m currently in my second rotation in the Operational Analysis and Engineering team looking at system strength issues in the displacement of synchronous generation with asynchronous generation.

What is the most exciting thing about working in the Australian energy industry?

The energy industry in Australia is in a state of transition involving such a complex combination of factors. There are so many challenges which if dealt with well, present opportunities to create fundamental change for the long term benefit of the country’s industry. On top of that, many people around the world are looking at Australia as a leader in the space because of the unique situation we are in that some countries are yet to face.

What does being an AEMO graduate mean for your future?

Because AEMO has such a broad overview of the energy industry, the graduate program has set me up with the possibility of pursuing so many possible career paths. I don’t actually know where in AEMO I want to end up in the long run, but that’s exactly what the program is helping me figure out.

What advice would you give someone who is applying to the program?

Know why you are interested in this industry and show it. If you’re unsure, reach out to talk to people about it!

Jacqui studied a Bachelor of Renewable Energy at University of New South Wales

Tell me a bit about your background.

I graduated from high school on Australia’s central coast and was lucky enough to spend two years travelling and working in snow seasons and hospitality. From there, I studied a Bachelor of Renewable Energy at The University of New South Wales, graduating in 2014. From there I worked at engineering agency AECOM and Infigen Energy before jumping on board with AEMO’s graduate program in February 2016.

What made you choose AEMO’s graduate development program?

In my last year of university, I completed two fantastic courses on the operation and planning of the National Electricity Market (NEM). Although I already had a strong theoretical background in engineering and renewable energy, the courses about the NEM really opened my eyes to the system as a whole, and made me ask some basic, but necessary questions like where does electricity go once it’s generated and how is it all connected?

Coming out of university I knew that AEMO had a highly regarded Graduate Development Program, and as the nation’s independent system operator, I knew it would allow me to learn a lot more about the NEM.

Since AEMO’s graduates get to rotate through different areas of the business, what has been your favourite role so far?

That is a really difficult question to answer! Honestly, I’ve loved every one of them and I think they have complimented each other really well. AEMO has also helped me organise a six-month secondment at AusNet Services and Hydro Tasmania for one of my rotations. Having the chance to visit a large range of transmission (14 terminal stations) and generation (18 generator sites) equipment was almost surreal, and the knowledge I gained and have brought back to AEMO has, and will continue to be, invaluable.

And on the other hand, what is the most exciting thing you’ve done so far at AEMO?

I really like going into the control rooms. For me it’s the place where everything comes together, at AEMO. All that knowledge, expertise, and innovation eventually feeds into the control room at the end of the day. It’s the place where you see the assets and all the infrastructure working together like a big machine and I just think it’s fantastic!

So why is it important for you to work in the Australian energy industry?

Thanks to Australia’s uniquely large and isolated system, AEMO is already tackling a lot of the challenges that come with integrating lower carbon technologies. Having the opportunity to solve these challenges first means that Australia’s energy industry is in the perfect position to become a pioneer in the dynamic energy landscape.

Last question: what advice would you give someone who’s thinking about applying for the grad program?

I would say try and talk to someone at AEMO to get an idea about what it means to be part of the AEMO Graduate Development Program. This approach really helped me, particularly because I could reach out to graduates who had been to the same university as me. You really need to have the drive to take advantage of the AEMO grad program, and keep in mind that and there’s about 20 different roles that you could be a part of under the AEMO umbrella. AEMO has such a unique place in the industry and I think it is a great opportunity for any young engineer to be a part of!

Rob studied Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales.

What is your background?

I was born in Sydney but spent a lot of my younger years in the United Kingdom and the United States - that is why my accent is all over the place! When I returned to Australia,I studied a bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of NSW, and graduated at the end of 2015. It is a very specialised degree; in my mind it is like a combination between mechanical and electrical engineering with a focus on renewable energies.

When did you start working at AEMO?

Previously I worked at another company called Renewably Energy Systems (RES) Australia, helping to develop solar and wind farms in Australia, before applying to the graduate program at AEMO. I began working at AEMO in February 2016 and have been here for over two years. Initially I worked in one of our NSW offices before moving to Melbourne.

What made you choose the AEMO graduate program?

While working at RES Australia I realised that AEMO is a very central body to the energy industry and that it upholds a good reputation in the energy sector. The graduate program itself looked quite immersive and I thought that working at AEMO would give me a great breadth of experience and knowledge in the area. I knew that if I ever wanted to further my career in renewable energy, then this program would give me so many necessary skills and experience.

What is your current role here?

I currently work in the Electricity Market Monitoring team, where we analyse the current events in the National Electricity Market (NEM). I have also been aiding different teams at AEMO for various projects that interact with the NEM. The graduate program allows us to do four nine-month rotations over the course of three years. The first rotations are decided for you, and as you progress, you get a bit more influence in the choice of where you go next. By the end of the three years you will generally find a place that you are passionate about and have a better idea about where you want your career to go.

What is the most exciting thing about working in the Australian energy industry?

The most exciting thing is how dynamic the industry is and that we get to overcome so many challenges.

What does being an AEMO graduate mean for your future?

I came here thinking it might be a stepping stone for me, but now I see myself at AEMO in the foreseeable future. That is probably a good reflection of the graduate program.

What advice would you give someone who is applying to the program?

Use all your connections! If you know a friend of a friend that works at AEMO, have a chat to them to get an idea about what it’s like here. Be passionate and show it! I would definitely recommend the graduate program to others! Petar studied Bachelor of Environmental Engineering and Master of Energy Systems at Monash University and University of Melbourne

What is your background history? (where did you grow up, study, work)

I was born in Serbia but my family and I moved to Australia when I was about three years old. I grew up in the suburbs and attended the local public school, Carwatha College, where I achieved a 93.00 ATAR score. I had always been interested in environmental issues and sustainable living so I wanted to enroll in a course aligned with these topics. I ended up enrolling in the Bachelor of Environmental Engineering at Monash University, Clayton, where I completed my degree in four years. After completing my bachelors, I travelled to Europe and Asia and upon my return, I enrolled in a Master of Energy Systems at the University of Melbourne. This was to expand my technical and economic knowledge of energy issues. During my time at school and university, I worked casually in retail. Some of the many places I worked at was at Myer, Ralph Lauren, and the tennis Australian Open.

What is your current role at AEMO?

I am currently in the Graduate Development Program at AEMO, working as an analyst in the Operational Forecasting workspace. My role is to assess and validate the short term forecast (up to seven days ahead) of electricity demand in several states across Australia, which is highly dependent on weather, day of the week, and season. I use the previous day’s weather forecast to find days in the past with similar weather and solar conditions. I then compare the day’s electricity demand with the next day forecast electricity demand to check if the model has a reasonable forecast.

My other roles include model improvements to better predict electricity demand, as well as the registration process of wind and solar farms. I am also involved with improving the wind generation forecasting model called Australian Wind Energy Forecasting System (AWEFS). Ultimately, we want to improve the generation and demand forecast models to improved efficiency of overall NEM dispatch, pricing, and better network stability and security management.

What do you enjoy most about AEMO’s three-year rotation process?

I really enjoy that we have the opportunity to work in four different teams across AEMO. There are so many interesting and diverse teams at AEMO ranging from system operation, markets, and stakeholder engagement. Each rotation is nine months in duration, which I believe is the perfect amount to spend in a team. It gives you enough time to learn about the team and the work involved. Another great aspect of the AEMO rotation process is you meet a lot of people both internally and externally, from all kinds of backgrounds and knowledge. You are then able to build your network within the energy industry and learn a great deal by working with different people.

What are some of the challenges you face in your role?

At the beginning of each week and month, I report on the previous weeks’ and months’ demand forecasting performance. The forecasting performance is based on how well our demand forecasts were compared with the actual demand. The challenges I face in the weekly and monthly reporting is deciphering and explaining to several teams the cause of any large differences between the forecast demand and actual demand. This process is sometimes time-consuming and requires a lot of analytical work.

What is the most exciting thing about working in the Australian energy industry?

The most exciting thing about working in the Australian energy industry is seeing the transformation that’s currently taking place. After speaking to people that have worked in the energy industry for a long time, the general consensus is that the changes that have occurred in the last five years is unprecedented. The rapid uptake of renewables is exciting but at the same time creating new challenges for AEMO to solve, like how do we integrate renewable energy technologies whilst maintaining system security?

What advice would you give someone looking to apply for the AEMO graduate program?

If you want to get involved in all aspects of the electricity and gas sector then the AEMO graduate program is for you. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about different markets, operation of the grid, engage with industry participants and many other things. You’ll also have the opportunity to work on exciting projects where you will learn a lot about things you never knew about. The program is particularly useful because by the end of it you’ll have experience and knowledge in four different areas of electricity and gas. This is great because it broadens your knowledge and expands your interest of work.