We believe life’s about possibilities. And so is the future. That’s what the Powerlink team does for a living. It’s why we do what we do.
It’s about making all those little moments in life possible, then connecting them together to create something bigger. Something that matters. Something that lasts.
It’s about every light turned on. Every conversation started. Every experience shared and every relationship built. It’s every goal accomplished, and every lesson learned. It’s every community connected, and every future made possible.
The same goes for your career with us. It’s your opportunity to connect, achieve and grow.
Here, you’ll build a progressive career connecting more than five million Queenslanders and 253,000 businesses to a world-class, clean energy future.
You’ll help find clever solutions to interesting problems, as you grow your skills and your impact every day.
And you’ll do it with down-to-earth people who you’re proud to work with and get to know.
Together, we’re connecting Queensland to an even brighter and more sustainable future. And that starts with you.
HERE'S A SNAPSHOT...
1,300Employees
4Locations
1995Founded in
Pathways into Power
Powerlink have opportunities for talented individuals across a range of areas – all of which play an important role in connecting Queenslanders to a world-class energy future.
As an industry leader, we recognise the important role we play in developing the future of energy and the next generation of talent. Our team of highly-skilled professionals operate and maintain Queensland’s transmission network, and we are committed to supporting our people to be the best they can be.
If you’re passionate about shaping Queensland’s energy system of the future, there’s never been a better time to join our team of experts. We have multiple development opportunities available to suit your individual career aspirations.
ELECTRICAL-BASED APPRENTICESHIPS
Our apprenticeships are four-year, fully-paid programs, where you will complete your trade along with a range of other qualifications such as First Aid, working at heights, heavy vehicle, and high risk work licences.
Our engineers work in a range of roles from portfolio planning through to electrical systems design, project delivery, technical solutions and network operations.
Powerlink partners with universities to provide work experience opportunities for school students to give you a taste of engineering.
We offer Vacation Programs for university students, and Graduate Programs once you’ve completed your degree in Engineering, Computer Science or IT.
What makes a great engineer?
A love for problem solving
Critical thinking
Attention to detail
Strong sense of time and structure
Big picture perspective
Adaptability and a love for change
Strong communication and teamwork skills
ADMINISTRATION TRAINEESHIPS
Our Administration Traineeship is a 12-month, fully paid program.
It’s a great opportunity to gain experience and kick off your career. With a February and August intake each year, our trainees complete a Certificate III in Business through on-the-job and structured learning. You’ll need to complete Year 12, passing Maths and English.
LABORATORY TRAINEESHIPS
Our Laboratory Traineeship is a three-year, fully paid program.
You will learn from the Technicians and Specialists in Powerlink’s Laboratory Services team whilst you complete a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques as well a Diploma in Laboratory Technology. You’ll need to complete Year 12 with a pass in Chemistry.
Apprenticeship possibilities start with us
If you’re looking for a career that matters and that will last, then an Apprenticeship with Powerlink could be right for you.
If you’re passionate about exploring how electricity works, solving complex problems, working away in remote locations, working outdoors, safety, working with your hands, taking initiative to get things done, working with a team and working at heights (our linespeople work on towers up to 80 metres high!), then one of our apprenticeships is just for you!
These exciting opportunities based in either Brisbane or Gladstone, are in the following streams:
ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIP
UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
(Optional to complete further study – either an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering)
LINESPERSON APPRENTICESHIP
UET30521 Certificate III in ESI – Transmission Overhead
COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTROL APPRENTICESHIP
UEE30920 Certificate III in Electronics and Communications
(Mandatory to complete further study – either an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering)
Here are just some of the benefits of completing your apprenticeship with Powerlink.
All college fees are covered by us
Your own toolkit provided by Powerlink
Your uniform and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided
Work-life balance with nine day fortnight roster
Attractive salary with yearly increases (you get paid while you learn!)
Learn from industry leading mentors
Rotations through various areas of the business with exposure to different technical specialisations
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
To be eligible as a school leaver, you’ll need to complete Year 12, passing Maths, Science and English, be willing to get your manual driver’s license, and have your own transport to travel to work sites.
You’ll have a genuine interest in how electricity works, like being hands on, have a strong work ethic as well as good communication and team work skills.
A Certificate II in Electrotechnology would be helpful, but isn’t a requirement.
To find out more about our apprenticeship programs, contact our Early Talent Team (earlytalent@powerlink.com.au).
Electrical Apprenticeship
UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
(Optional to complete further study – either an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering)
Powerlink’s High Voltage Electricians have the knowledge to select, install, set up, test, fault find, repair and maintain electrical systems and equipment in buildings and premises. Where this type of work is carried out, you need to have an electrical licence.
This trade is not to be confused with the electricians who work in your house. Electricians at Powerlink are specialised professionals who work on the State-wide transmission network in Queensland.
During your four-year, fully paid apprenticeship, you will complete:
A nationally recognised qualification Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician
First aid certificate and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate
High risk work licences (including elevated work platform, rigging and dogging, and forklift)
Heavy rigid truck licence
Transmission Linesperson Apprentice
UET30521 Certificate III in ESI – Transmission Overhead
Our Lines Team work on overhead transmission lines including the installation, inspection and maintenance of towers, poles, structures, conductors and hardware.
This trade is not to be confused with an electrical apprenticeship. It is focused more on the infrastructure such as transmission towers and conductors (the lines) in between.
During your four year, fully paid apprenticeship, you will complete:
A nationally recognised Certificate III ESI Power Systems
First aid certificate and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate
Working at heights certificate
High risk work licences (including elevated work platform, rigging and dogging, and forklift)
Heavy rigid truck licence
Communications and Control Apprenticeship
UEE30920 Certificate III in Electronics and Communications
(Mandatory to complete further study – either an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering)
A Communications and Control Technician is able to select, install, setup, test, fault find, repair and maintain electronic equipment and devices at component/sub assembly level.
You are part of the secondary systems field crew working on the communications equipment in substations and remote communication hubs.
This trade is not to be confused with an electrical apprenticeship. It is based on telecommunications which is a restricted electrical licence (you would be working with lower voltage equipment).
During your four year, fully paid program, you will complete:
A nationally recognised Certificate III in Electronics and Communications
First Aid certificate + Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate
High risk work licences including Elevated Work Platform (EWP)
Communications Cabling Licence
Mandatory to complete further study – either an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering
Inclusion at Powerlink
We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and supports our people to be the best they can be.
We know that by harnessing the diversity of our people, we will be better positioned to deliver the innovative solutions required for the complex problems we face now, and in the future.
We also know that by ensuring our practices are inclusive we will enable our people to fully contribute, bringing their diverse perspectives and experiences to everything they do.
To help us improve our outcomes we are focused on the following diversity and inclusion areas:
Gender equality
People with a disability
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
LGBTQIA+
Flexible work
Domestic and Family Violence
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Communities of Practice
Powerlink’s Diversity and Inclusion Communities of Practice are an important way to raise awareness and promote diversity and inclusion at Powerlink. They are open for everyone to join. We are proud to have four diversity and inclusion Communities of Practice:
Gender Diversity in Energy
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Governance Group
Inclusive Energy
PRIDE in Power
Each Community of Practice is an employee-led action group, with senior leader sponsorship.
Innovation Reconciliation Action Plan
At Powerlink we are committed to reconciliation and value the guidance the oldest living cultures in the world can provide in our journey to transition to a more sustainable future.
We aim to create a work culture and environment where the importance of First Nations cultures are valued and celebrated, and all staff and partners feel safe to engage and thrive.
Hi my name is Angus and I’m a Transmission Linesperson Apprentice. I’ve been lucky enough to travel across regional and remote Queensland seeing some of the most beautiful places in the world. I’ve included a snapshot of a typical day, but feel free to also ask me about how we make gourmet lunches in the back of a ute, using a toaster oven, as well as where the best pies and burger shops are located throughout the state.
4:30am
Nice and early wakeup, head straight to the shower to wake myself up ready for a 6.30am start.
5:00am
Get dressed have my coffee, pack my lunch and start getting ready to make some breakfast.
5:30am
After I’ve packed everything I needed for the day, I chill on my motel bed and scroll through my phone, mentally preparing for the big day ahead.
5:50am
I’m out the door, in the carpark with the team. We travel in a convoy to site, the morning drive is one of the best parts of being a linesperson; the views on our morning drive are amazing.
6:30am
Arrive to site. Pre-start activities, split up into our teams for the day and our supervisor will advise us about the work they want us to do. Fire up the Elevated Working Platforms (EWP), help set up the truck and any other machinery on site. Prepare and layout all rigging gear and equipment needed for the job and dress the EWP with equipment needed.
7:15am
I’ve got my harness on with all the necessary tools needed for the job. Once the whole team is setup, we then get the all clear to start work. We access the tower by either climbing up or getting up in the EWP (usually 40-70 metres in the air) and start replacing essential components to ensure the power stays on.
10:00am
Smoko, take a seat around the utes with the team and have a quick bite to eat. The team love having a good yarn, so you won’t ever be bored at smoko. Remembering to refuel my body with water and hydrolytes.
10:15am
After smoko you’re straight back into it.
1:00pm
Lunch break. Once again eating food with the team, refuelling and coming up with an afternoon plan on what we will finish on.
1:30pm
Then straight back into it. We know what the plan is for the arvo.
4:00pm
Still working. The best part about working in the afternoon is watching the sunset.
5:30pm
Starting to pack up for the day, putting away all rigging and hardware gear and packing down the EWPs ready for the car trip home.
7:00pm
Go for a short and sharp run around the town.
8:00pm
Arrive back at the motel and start cooking up my dinner. We all like to sit outside and eat together (kind of like a big family). We often have dinner together while watching the telly.
9:00pm
Off to bed ready for a big day again tomorrow. Bring it on!
Meet Shannon
Electrical Apprentice
Transmission Substation Delivery
Hi, my name is Shannon and I’m an apprentice in the Transmission Substation Delivery area within Powerlink. No two days are the same in my role. But have a sneak peek of what a typical day in the life looks like for me.
5:00 – 5:30am
Wake up and do yoga – this is usually in a motel room as we work away for a large part of the year. About 80 per cent of my work has been in rural parts of Queensland this year! (which I love) .
5:30 – 6:00am
Have breakfast and make lunch. Get ready for a big day ahead.
6:00am – 07:00am
Leave for site. Some sites can be over an hour from the accommodation! Make sure my playlist is downloaded and ready to roll.
7:30am
Arrive at site and get my gear out of the car.
7:30 – 08:00am
Check into site and conduct pre-start activities (talk through any hazards and discuss our wellbeing).
8:00am
Work activities get underway. This will usually start with some sort of high voltage switching to gain access to the plant, and once a work area is established, we carry out what’s on the work order.
10:30am
Time for smoko. (Yum I’ve got lamingtons packed) Usually the whole crew will stop and head into the smoko room for a break (especially important in summer, the Western Queensland sun can get HOT!).
11:00am
Back into work. Work varies week-to-week and even day-to-day. Some days you are up in an Elevated Work Platform (EWP) working on primary plant, and other days you are on the ground or in a control building doing panel wiring. I really like the variation in my day with all of the different tasks I can be given.
1:30pm
Lunch time. I love seeing what everyone brings for their lunch. Today it’s my regular salad sandwich. Often everyone will bring their own lunch when we’re working away, but if I’m doing training at the depot, I’ll eat at the onsite cafeteria.
3:30pm
Start to pack up tools and work area.
4:00pm
Check out and leave site.
4:30 – 5:00pm
Arrive back at accommodation.
5:30 – 6:30pm
Normally, you’ll find me alongside a few of us at the gym.
7:00pm
Dinner time. Working away has made me get pretty creative with what you can cook in a microwave but sometimes I’ll cook something on a Sunday to have for the week, and usually on Thursday the whole crew will go to the local pub for dinner.
8:00 – 9:00pm
Time to relax- I’ll usually either catch up on any uni work (I’m studying part-time, Powerlink are very supportive of my professional development) or you’ll find me immersed in a good book.
9:30pm
Bedtime and ready to do it again tomorrow. Can’t wait!
Meet Trent
Comms and Control Apprentice
Hi my name is Trent and I’m a Communications and Control Apprentice here at Powerlink. A little bit about me; I knew that sitting behind a desk day in and day out wasn’t for me, so I took a chance and applied for an apprenticeship with Powerlink, and it’s safe to say it’s been my best career move yet.
6:00am
Wake up, hit the alarm. It’s Thursday!
6:05am
Quick shower and start to prepare for the day. Switch the motel telly on and watch the news while I prepare breakfast and my lunch for the day.
6:50am
Meet my team mates in the hotel lobby, head next door to the coffee shop for our morning brew.
7:00am
Jump in the car, set up our playlist and head to site with a tradesperson.
7:50am
Arrive on site at a substation. If first to arrive, conduct perimeter inspection of yard and check the substation Human Machine Interface (HMI) for any alarms which can be triggered by various equipment and utility abnormalities within the substation.
8:00am
Toolbox talk to cover off safety, responsibilities and tasks for the day.
8:10am
Break off into Comms and Control team (generally one or two tradespeople and an apprentice) and go over relevant job documents (schematics, scope of works etc).
8:30am
Run fiber and cat cables between panels, terminating the cat cables at each end.
10:00am
Morning smoko break, top up the coffee and have a yarn.
10:15am
Run some more fiber and cat cables.
12:30pm
Lunch, have another yarn.
1:00pm
Set up end-to-end test equipment and carry out testing to ensure equipment has bi-directional communication.
3:00pm
Last smoko break for the day, have another bite to eat and a bit more of a yarn. We love to debate which radio channel we’ll be listening to on the way home. (Fingers crossed its Triple J).
3:15pm
Continue testing.
4:15pm
Time to start packing up for the day! Clean up and do my second last timesheet for the week.
4:40pm
Leave site and head back to the hotel. Triple J brings us home.
5:30pm
Arrive back at accommodation. Time to chill. Call the family and friends, get creative making some dinner.
7:00pm
Hit the books (Powerlink covers the tuition fees toward an Associate Degree of Electrical and Electronic Engineering).
10:00pm
End of day, head to bed. After tomorrow my long weekend starts!
Life at Powerlink
There’s lots to love about a career with Powerlink. But our people say that there are 3 things that really stand out:
A career that matters and lasts: You’ll shape a progressive career connecting more than five million Queenslanders to a world-class, clean energy future.
Unique work and the chance to grow: You’ll find smart solutions to interesting problems as you develop your skills and impact every day.
People who love to support and share: You’ll build relationships with experienced, down-to-earth people who you’ll be proud to work with.
We offer a broad range of inclusive benefits such as competitive remuneration, employment security and flexible work arrangements. We also want our benefits to be as unique as our employees are:
Diverse Leave Options
We provide access to a broad range of leave options to support our employees both professionally and personally. This includes:
Public holiday swap
14 weeks paid parental leave – at full or half pay
Paid volunteer leave
Paid study leave
Paid domestic and family violence leave
Paid natural disturbance leave
Paid international sporting events leave
Additional leave purchasing
Special leave without pay to pursue long-term study or a career break
Parents and Carers Support
In addition to the leave options available to parents and carers, we have partnered with Circle In to create a personalised parents, carers and wellbeing platform for dedicated support and resources. We also offer a multipurpose retreat room at our Virginia office and working away pump/express kits.
Professional Development Costs
We’ll cover our employees professional and trade skills licensing fees where required by legislation as well as RPEQ registration fees.
End of Trip Facilities
We offer free parking at Gladstone, Townsville and Virginia sites and access to electric charging stations at Virginia.
Our Virginia site offers on-site showers, lockers and bike facilities for your end of trip needs.
Our Videos
Every possibility starts with you at Powerlink
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Every possibility starts with Brody
Every possibility starts with Kayal
Every possibility starts with Monan
About Powerlink Queensland
Gender Equality at Powerlink
As a Work180 pre-screened and endorsed employer, we are a company committed to raising workplace standards for all women.
At Powerlink we offer to women and in fact all employees the ability to access:
Paid pre-parental leave
Paid parental leave up to 14 weeks or 28 weeks half pay
Paid and unpaid parental leave for non-primary caregivers
10 days paid ‘keeping in touch days’ while on extended parental leave
Swap public holidays for times when it suits you and your personal needs
Flexible working arrangements, which can include a mix of options including work from home, compressed working weeks, part-time hours, job share, purchased annual leave scheme, flexible start and finish times
Powerlink strives to achieve a balanced representation of gender and diversity across leadership groups, work teams, committees and panels. Women represent 57% of Board membership*, 30% Executive and Senior leadership*, and 24% of the total Powerlink workforce*. All interview panels require diverse panel membership and intakes for annual development programs including Apprentices, Engineering Officers and Graduate Engineers all focus on attracting a mixed applicant pool representative of the community we serve.
Powerlink supports an active Womxn in Engineering+ group consisting of passionate women that advocate and promote opportunities for women in the engineering industry, and recently launched Gender Diversity in Energy; an employee-led a group that supports gender equity initiatives across the employee life cycle, building gender balance across all work streams and activities that support Powerlink to be an employer of choice for all genders.
Career development, training programs and succession planning are all underpinned by a focus on supporting and developing women to be their best. Powerlink currently supports a woman engineer participating in a national Powerful Women program, a new industry-focused and delivered leadership program for technically oriented roles in the power sector.
Powerlink actively and visibly supports events aimed at raising the profile and opportunities of women, including International Women’s Day, inspiring the next generation of women at University level and vocational forums, regular feature stories published by Work180, external news articles and employee communication channels.
“Everyone benefits from gender diversity, but the burden of promoting gender equity too often falls on people who don’t identify as men. I want Powerlink to be a place where people of all genders can respectfully bring their full, authentic selves and thrive” – John Pynakker, Gender Diversity in Energy Co-Chair
“Societies that value all genders and treat them equally thrive. Co-chairing the COP is one way I can influence a more equal future for myself, my colleagues and my children” – Faith Byers, Gender Diversity in Energy Co-Chair
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
At Powerlink, we value and celebrate the diversity of our community.
Our commitment to reconciliation reflects our belief that Powerlink should reflect the communities in which we operate and be inclusive of those communities. Powerlink acknowledges and appreciates the importance of Indigenous knowledge, history and culture, respects and values the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples and recognises the many challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
A key part of our reconciliation commitment is acknowledging the impacts of past acts and the continuing legacy of intergenerational trauma. Respecting the more than 60,000 years of history that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples share as the Traditional Custodians of this land and learn from their rich traditions and customs.
Powerlink is committed to creating a work environment in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples cultures, beliefs and values are acknowledged and respected, and in which the individual career goals and personal aims of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff are identified, promoted and achieved in an environment of cultural safety.
Powerlink Queensland joins a network of more than 1,100 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program. These outcomes contribute toward the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, unity, and historical acceptance. It is critical to uphold all dimensions of reconciliation and to increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and leadership across all sectors of Australian society.
Powerlink actively and visibly supports events aimed at raising the profile and opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples, including National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week.
“I am a proud Gooreng Gooreng Woman with connections to the South Sea Islander peoples. I am the Chair of the RAP Working Group and want to use my position and influence to share my culture with the business. I want to break down negative stereotypes and build up strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders” – Kayal, RAP Governance Group Chair
Powerlink Queensland
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Powerlink Queensland
Expressions of Interest – Apprenticeships 2025
Keen to switch on your career with a world leader in electricity transmission? Express your interest to Powerlink's 2025 apprenticeship program.
Powerlink want to inspire young women and men who might be interested in a career in Trades, Engineering, and other STEM pathways.
January 29, 2024 -
December 20, 2024 |
Free
Powerlink is a leading Australian provider of high-voltage electricity transmission network services, providing electricity to more than five million Queenslanders and 253,000 businesses. With a wide variety of career opportunities including entry-level roles, traineeships and apprenticeships, Powerlink is a leader in supporting future talent in achieving their career goals.
