Inside the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA): Your 60-Second Guide to Landing Your Dream Role ⚡️
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)? We’ve done the heavy lifting and dissected their annual report, so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this agency—from its key functions and financials to the skills and qualifications they’re seeking in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or a fresh graduate, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate your path to a rewarding government career.
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department / Council: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
Location: Nationwide (Head Office in Canberra, with additional offices in Sydney and Melbourne)
CEO: Darren Miller
Total Revenue: Approximately AUD 368.5 million (2023–24)
Total Number of Employees: 2 direct employees (CEO & CFO), with additional personnel seconded from other agencies and contractors
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited
Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical): Crucial for designing, evaluating, and improving renewable energy projects.
Environmental Science: Helps ensure sustainability, ecological safeguards, and adherence to environmental standards.
Finance / Commerce / Economics: Enables the budgeting, financial analysis, and investment decision-making vital to large-scale grants.
Information Technology / Data Analytics: Supports smarter grids, big data strategies, and digital solutions for energy.
Public Policy / Law: Guides regulatory compliance and the development of legislative frameworks for renewables.
Top 5 Certifications Most Suited
Project Management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2): Ensures efficient planning, execution, and evaluation of energy initiatives.
Renewable Energy Technology (e.g., CEC-accredited courses): Builds a foundational understanding of solar, wind, and other renewables.
Financial Analysis / CPA / CA: Valuable for robust economic modelling and grants management.
Contract Management Certification: Helps structure and oversee funding agreements.
Risk Management (e.g., ISO 31000): Identifies and mitigates potential setbacks in forward-leaning technology projects.
Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited
Electricians: Critical for installing and maintaining renewable energy systems.
Technicians (Solar, Battery, Hydrogen Systems): Hands-on roles that keep emerging tech operational and efficient.
Mechanical Fitters / Fabricators: Vital for constructing and upgrading pilot and demonstration facilities.
Data & Network Specialists: Manage the digital infrastructure that underpins advanced energy solutions.
Project Coordinators / Administrators: Ensure projects run smoothly, on time, and on budget.
Top 5 Skills Most Suited
Analytical Thinking: Essential for interpreting complex energy data and markets.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitates partnerships across government, industry, and local communities.
Innovation & Problem-Solving: Helps overcome first-of-a-kind challenges in renewable technology.
Technical Literacy: Assists in evaluating and scaling up novel energy projects.
Communication & Report Writing: Keeps both technical and non-technical audiences informed and aligned.
Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited
Energy Sector Roles: Knowledge of power generation, distribution, or project implementation.
Grant or Funding Program Administration: Practical expertise in structuring, managing, or auditing government grants.
Policy or Regulatory Experience: Understanding of legislative frameworks and government processes.
Business Case Development: Proficiency in cost-benefit analyses to justify large-scale projects.
Stakeholder Engagement & Outreach: Skill in building productive relationships with communities, industry, and government.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
Name of CEO: Darren Miller
Location: Australia-wide; head office in Canberra, plus offices in Sydney and Melbourne
Year Founded: 2012 (established under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Act 2011)
Main Mission and Purpose of the Agency
ARENA’s mission is to accelerate Australia’s move toward affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by funding innovative renewable energy projects and sharing knowledge.
Real-World Example: ARENA’s support for advanced solar PV R&D helps drive down costs, making clean energy more accessible for homes and businesses nationwide.
Main Duties of the Agency
Funding Research, Development & Demonstration: Invests in pioneering ideas that can reshape how Australians produce and consume energy.
Scaling Up Deployment: Provides grants for large-scale implementations like grid-scale batteries and hydrogen projects.
Knowledge Sharing: Publishes insights, holds workshops, and encourages data sharing to fast-track industry adoption.
Real-World Example: By supporting the deployment of multiple grid-forming batteries, ARENA helps ensure that renewables can seamlessly integrate into the national electricity grid—keeping power reliable for consumers.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans & Initiatives
Ultra Low-Cost Solar: Funding tech breakthroughs to make solar power cheaper and more efficient.
Commercialising Renewable Hydrogen: Boosting electrolyser deployments and supply chains to foster a new clean energy export industry.
Low-Emissions Metals: Supporting greener production methods for steel and aluminium.
Decarbonising Transport: Advancing electric vehicles, hydrogen refuelling networks, and sustainable aviation fuel.
Did You Know?
ARENA has supported over 700 cutting-edge projects, committing more than AUD 2.6 billion in funding—bringing together government and industry to accelerate Australia’s renewable energy transformation.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 2 direct employees (the CEO and CFO)
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
Remainder of personnel work as secondees from government departments or as contractors.
Salary Bands: Generally aligns with Australian Public Service (APS) classifications, from entry-level to executive roles.
Average Salary in the Agency: Varies based on APS classification; approximately AUD 50k to AUD 200k+.
Total Revenue: Approximately AUD 368.5 million in 2023–24
Average Revenue per Employee: About AUD 184.25 million (reflecting ARENA’s unique operating model)
GETTING A JOB AT ARENA
Which Academic Subjects Are Likely to Be Most Sought After and of Value?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Renewable Energy Systems, Business Administration, Project Management
Bachelor / Master Level:
Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical), Environmental Science, Finance/Economics, Law, Public Policy
PhDs:
Advanced Renewable Technologies (Solar PV, Hydrogen, Battery Storage), Energy Economics, Climate Science
Which Trades and Professions Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Electricians, Technicians (Solar/Battery/Hydrogen), Data & Network Specialists, Mechanical Fitters, Project Coordinators
Which Work Experiences Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Energy Sector Roles, Grant Administration, Policy & Regulatory Experience, Financial Feasibility & Business Cases, Community Outreach
Which Skills Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Soft Skills: Communication, Stakeholder Engagement, Collaboration, Leadership, Creative Problem-Solving
Technical Skills: Renewable Energy System Design, Data Analytics & Modelling, Risk Assessment & Mitigation, Project Management
General Skills: Strategic Thinking, Digital Literacy, Report Writing, Financial Acumen, Policy Development
Which Hobbies and Interests Align with the Work of This Agency?
Sustainability Projects, Eco-Initiatives, Community Volunteering, DIY Solar/Tech Enthusiasm, Following Energy Market Trends
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?
Contact the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Recruitment Team:
Address: 2 Phillip Law Street, New Acton, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Phone: +61 2 6159 7800
Email: recruitment@arena.gov.au
Website: arena.gov.au
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.