⚡️Powering Innovation & Careers: Why South Australia’s Department for Energy & Mining Should Be Your Next Move 🚀
If you’re searching right now for “government jobs Australia”, “public sector careers” or “energy and mining roles SA”, the Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) is the agency to keep on your radar. Enjoy this 2 minute overview! 🙌
AT-A-GLANCE 🔍
Name of Department / Council: Department for Energy and Mining (DEM)
Location: Head office at 11 Waymouth Street, Adelaide SA 5000 (state-wide remit)
CEO: Dr Paul Heithersay
Total Revenue: $255.5 million (2023-24 total income)
Total Number of Employees: Approximately 300 staff (derived from $41.1 million employee spend)
DID YOU KNOW? 🤯
South Australia has brought forward its whole-of-state net-zero energy target to 2027, and DEM is spearheading the “Green Iron & Steel Strategy” plus a new Energy White Paper that will shape investment for decades.
THE QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO DEM 🎯
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited:
Bachelor of Engineering (Mining, Electrical or Chemical) – aligns directly with resource-project approvals.
Bachelor of Science (Geology) – supports geological survey and critical-minerals exploration.
Master of Public Policy – helps craft energy legislation and regulatory reform.
Diploma of Project Management – vital for multi-million-dollar infrastructure roll-outs.
Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety – underpins DEM’s strong safety culture.
Top 5 certifications most suited:
Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) – evidences advanced technical mastery.
PRINCE2® Practitioner – drives structured project delivery.
GIS Certification – critical for mapping mineral tenements.
CPA or CA – strengthens royalty-collection and financial-oversight duties.
ISO 14001 Lead Auditor – ensures environmental-management compliance.
Top 5 trades / professions most suited:
Electrician (licensed) – supports Remote Area Energy Supply schemes.
Fitter & Turner – assists with plant-maintenance inspections.
Environmental Scientist – assesses impact statements.
Data Analyst – powers DEM’s new digital-by-default platforms.
Communications Specialist – manages stakeholder engagement on high-profile projects.
Top 5 skills most suited:
Stakeholder negotiation – balances industry, community and First Nations interests.
Regulatory interpretation – navigates the Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Act 2023.
Digital literacy – maximises DEM’s Mining & Exploration Regulation System (MERS).
Risk management – mitigates safety and environmental hazards.
Strategic thinking – aligns projects with the State Prosperity Plan.
Top 5 work experiences most suited:
Major-project approvals in mining, energy or infrastructure.
Government policy drafting or legislative review.
Remote-area community engagement.
Lean or Agile business-process improvements.
Data-driven decision-making in complex environments.
THE KEY FACTS 🗂️
Name of Department: Department for Energy and Mining
Name of CEO: Dr Paul Heithersay
Location: South-Australia-wide, HQ in Adelaide CBD
Year Founded: 2018 (via Machinery-of-Government realignment)
Main mission & purpose: Supporting SA to responsibly grow through world-leading energy and mining sectors—for example, by enabling the nation’s largest Virtual Power Plant that lowers electricity bills for public-housing tenants.
Main duties: Regulate mining, oil, gas, electricity and hydrogen; collect royalties; and drive renewable-energy strategy. A real-world impact: DEM’s new Community Battery projects at Edwardstown and Magill store cheap solar power for local residents.
Key Projects & Future Plans:
Green Iron & Steel Strategy
Copper Opportunity Task Force
Energy White Paper (2024)
Critical & Strategic Minerals Strategy
Phase-2 roll-out of the automated MERS platform
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE 💰👩💼
Total Number of Employees: ≈ 300 (see above)
Total Number of Executives: 22 (1 EXECOF, 21 SAES)
Salary Bands (typical SA Public Sector 2024):
ASO1 $56k – $60k
ASO6 $97k – $107k
SAES1 $131k – $163k
SAES2 $164k – $208k
EXECOF $300k+
Average Salary in the Department: ~ $110k (estimate)
Total Revenue: $255.5 million
Average Revenue per Employee: ~$0.85 million
GETTING A JOB AT DEM 🛠️💼
Which Academic Subjects are likely to be most sought after?
Certificate / Diploma Level: Work Health & Safety, Laboratory Techniques, Project Management, GIS, Contract Administration.
Bachelor / Master Level: Engineering (Mining/Electrical/Chemical), Geology, Environmental Science, Data Science, Public Policy, Commerce.
PhDs: Critical-Minerals Geochemistry, Renewable-Energy Systems, Industrial AI for Resource Extraction.
Which Trades & Professions are in demand?
Licensed Electricians, Diesel Mechanics, Geotechnical Drillers, WHS Advisors, Survey Drafters.
Which Work Experiences add value?
Front-line mine-site or power-plant operations.
Regulatory compliance for large resources projects.
Indigenous engagement on land-access agreements.
Digital-platform implementation.
Financial modelling for energy-market scenarios.
Which Skills stand out?
Soft Skills: Communication, negotiation, resilience, stakeholder empathy, teamwork.
Technical Skills: GIS, Python/R data analysis, SCADA or PLC familiarity, risk assessment, audit.
General Skills: Report writing, policy development, budgeting, procurement, Agile delivery.
Hobbies & Interests that align: Rock-hounding 🪨, renewable-energy tinkering 🔋, drone photography 📸, bushwalking 🚶♀️, coding side-projects 💻.
Want more information on this organisation? 📞
Contact DEM directly:
Address: 11 Waymouth St, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 08 8463 3000
Email: DEM.ExecutiveServices@sa.gov.au
Careers & vacancies: Visit energymining.sa.gov.au and follow the “Careers” link for current APS and SAES openings.
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