June 25, 2025
The federal transition authority has begun consultations on transition support at NSW’s Eraring Power Station, and workers are hopeful it will lead to enforceable requirements for employers to provide training and clear pathways into new employment.
The Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) was established by the Albanese Government to ensure energy workers and regions benefit from the ongoing energy transition. While the NZEA does not set closure dates or determine Australia’s emissions reduction trajectory, it plays a vital role in supporting:
- Workers – by offering direct support to those at closing power stations and associated employers, as well as broader assistance for workers in affected regions.
- Communities – by facilitating investment in new industries and economic opportunities in identified regions, including the Hunter Valley.
- Investors – by coordinating across all levels of government to drive investment in energy regions, diversify local economies, and create jobs.
A key mechanism the NZEA uses to support power station workers is the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP). This tailored and enforceable plan can place obligations on employers to provide a minimum level of support, including training packages and redeployment opportunities. The NZEA can also offer incentives to regional employers to hire workers affected by mine closures.
Currently, the NZEA is consulting with workers, employers, and stakeholders in the region to determine whether it will apply to the Fair Work Commission for an EIJP at Eraring.
The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) will strongly advocate for Eraring workers and those in the supply chain—including the captured Myuna coal mine—to receive the coordinated and enforceable support an EIJP can deliver.
🔗 Find out more about the Eraring consultation.
Meanwhile, the NSW Government has announced the creation of a Future Jobs and Investment Authority (FJIA) to support coal communities across the state. The FJIA will operate in four coal-producing regions: the Hunter, Illawarra, Central West, and North-West.
The Authority will have a wide remit, including:
- Planning and land use
- Workforce support
- Skills training
- Attracting investment
The MEU is committed to engaging with all programs that support coal workers and communities affected by the energy transition. We will continue to hold governments and employers accountable for delivering real, positive outcomes.