Energy Extraction & Generation Industry
Overview
Victoria is a major contributor to the Australian energy extraction and generation industry, which involves extracting the raw materials for energy production, and turning them into useable energy such as electricity or gas.
Extraction
All of the brown coal extracted in Australia comes from Victoria, and all of it is used for domestic power generation. Victoria is also Australia’s second largest producer of gas and oil, which includes crude oil, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas. The state accounts for around 18 percent of Australia’s production. Although oil production is declining, natural gas production is growing strongly.
Generation
Around one quarter of Australia’s electricity is generated in Victoria. Brown coal is the state’s major source of electricity generation, although significant progress is being made in the area of sustainable energy generation through wind farms, solar generation and tidal systems. Much of Victoria’s energy generation occurs in the La Trobe Valley, east of Melbourne.
The number of companies undertaking electricity generation in Victoria has expanded in recent years, due to a significant increase in competition within the energy supply industry.
Industry size
Victoria’s brown coal sector is worth around $928 million. There are four companies in the sector, together employing around 1300 people. The state’s oil and gas sector is worth around $1757 million. Victorian revenue from electricity generation industry was estimated at almost $3000 million in 2007-08.
Occupations
Victoria is currently offering visa sponsorship to applicants with the following energy industry qualifications:
-
Extractive Metallurgist
- Primary and secondary metallurgists with operational experience
- Mining Engineer
- Production Manager (Mining)
Industry contacts
Professional bodies and industry associations are a good source of information about the energy industry in Victoria.
The following bodies represent various sectors within the industry:
- The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia
- Australian Petroleum Production And Exploration Association
- Engineers Australia
- Mineral Industry Consultants Association
Tip
Not sure what your occupation is? Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's Australian Skills Recognition Information portal.
Further information
Find out about Victorian Government visa sponsorship.
Victoria
Migration tools
Last updated: 20 July 2009
State Government of Victoria