- Published:
- Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 11:00 am
Labor is growing Victoria’s energy workforce by 50 per cent by 2040.
The Victorian Energy Jobs Plan will deliver 68,000 energy jobs with 37 per cent in regional Victoria.
This far exceeds the regional population share of 25 per cent and puts regional Victoria at the heart of this jobs boom.
These jobs will be critical as Victoria works towards 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035.
More than $18 billion in wages will be delivered to regional communities for workers with university, tertiary or high-school level qualifications from 2026 to 2040, including:
- $1.94 billion in Ballarat
- $1.23 billion in Bendigo
- $2.44 billion in Geelong
- $2.29 billion in the south west
- $2.47 billion in the north west
- $4.62 billion in Gippsland
- $2.05 billion in Hume
- $1.05 billion in Shepparton
Electricians, plumbers, construction workers, labourers, engineers, mechanics, ICT managers, admin workers and customer services will be the most in demand jobs.
TAFE will be critical to this plan. That’s why we’ve guaranteed Free TAFE and launched the Women in Energy Strategy to increase women’s participation in the energy workforce.
It’s why Labor brought back the SEC and SEC Apprenticeship Academy to train 2,000 electrical trade apprentices over the next four years.
Only Labor will maintain the lowest electricity prices in the country, deliver the replacement energy infrastructure needed to keep the lights on and put regional jobs first.
The last Liberal government sacked more than 2,000 TAFE teachers, shut 22 TAFE campuses and ripped $1 billion from TAFEs. Investment in renewables ground to a halt due to their planning restrictions – over $4 billion in investment left the state – and they will do it again if elected.
Jess Wilson’s Liberal One Nation Coalition will stop the energy transition, rip this $18 billion in wages from regional workers, and sack 1 in 7 public service jobs – closing schools, hospitals and frontline services through their $40 billion cuts agenda.
To access the Plan and Strategy visit, energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/our-energy-workforce(opens in a new window).
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“Our Regional Energy Jobs Guarantee puts regional Victorians first and will give them the training, high paying and long-term jobs they deserve.”
“Labor is delivering $18 billion in wages to regional Victorians. Jess Wilson’s Liberal One Nation Coalition want to take that away and replace it with $40 billion in cuts.”
Quotes attributable to Regional Development Minister Michaela Settle
“Labors Regional Energy Jobs Guarantee will put Ballarat industry and workers first and deliver $2 billion in local wages.”
“Regional Victorians remember when the Liberals privatised the SEC, closed regional TAFEs and shut down essential services – they will do it again.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison
“This plan will deliver high paying secure jobs for Ballarat locals and training for our kids to set themselves up in the new energy economy.”
“This jobs plan gives security to local kids, their families and businesses. The last thing we need is a climate denying Liberal One Nation coalition taking these opportunities away from Ballarat.”