Are you a qualified Electrician looking to take your career in a new direction?
The SA Power Networks Powerline for Electricians Training Program provides qualified electricians with an exciting opportunity to build on their existing electrical skills and gain the qualifications, practical experience and technical capability required to work as a Distribution Powerline Worker.
Through a combination of structured training and hands-on experience, you’ll develop the skills needed to safely construct, maintain and operate South Australia’s electricity distribution network.
About the Program
Our two-year accelerated training pathway provides comprehensive on-the-job learning and technical training across a broad range of powerline work.
During the program, you’ll develop skills and experience in:
- Installing, maintaining and inspecting distribution poles and structures
- Working with overhead apparatus, conductors, cables and associated hardware
- Jointing and terminating underground cables and services
- High and low voltage switching
- Safely working on and around electricity distribution infrastructure
- Applying technical knowledge to testing, fault finding and network maintenance
On successful completion of the program and all required training, you’ll have the skills and qualifications required to work as a Distribution Powerline Worker with SA Power Networks.
Who are we looking for?
We’re looking for qualified electricians who are ready to broaden their skills and take on a new challenge in the electricity distribution industry.
To be eligible, you must have:
- Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology
- An unrestricted Electrical Workers Licence
- A current Australian driver’s Licence
- Sound English, Maths and Mechanical reasoning skills
We’re particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate practical electrical experience, including:
- Installing and maintaining complex electrical control systems, equipment or instrumentation
- Electrical testing and fault finding
- Applying electrical knowledge to diagnose faults and complete repairs
- Experience working in industrial environments such as mines, process plants, manufacturing facilities or factories
If you’re an experienced electrician looking to expand your capabilities, work outdoors and build a career maintaining the electricity network that powers South Australia, this program could be your next step.
How do I apply?
Applications will be advertised through our Current Vacancies page. If you need any more information, please check our FAQs below or contact our Pathways team.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
As a Powerline Worker, you’ll construct and maintain overhead and underground powerlines and structures, including the poles and wires you see in the streets and the underground network, helping keep the community connected to the grid.
Building and maintaining the electricity distribution network involves a range of tasks including:
- Installing and maintaining overhead structures and electrical equipment such as transformers and circuit breakers
- Installing and maintaining the public lighting system
- Jointing and terminating underground distribution cables
- Maintaining high voltage and low voltage distribution lines
- Connecting customers to the distribution network
- Responding to emergency work following weather events
- Diagnosing and rectifying faults on the distribution network
- Operating heavy vehicles and working at height from an elevated work platform
- Operating the high and low voltage distribution network through planned and reactive switching
Subject to business requirements, we generally recruit for the program once a year.
You’ll need to apply online during the advertising period via our Current Vacancies page.
You’ll work a 36-hour week, comprising 8-hour days over a 9-day fortnight. A typical working day is 7 am to 3 pm, although hours may vary depending on your work group and operational requirements.
As you get closer to completing your training, and once you’re qualified, your working arrangements may also include:
- Stand-by or on-call: You may join an on-call roster, usually one week in every four to six weeks depending on your depot, and be available to work outside your ordinary hours.
- Overtime: You may be required to work planned or unplanned overtime when needed.
- Away work: You may occasionally need to work away from your usual work location.
Where applicable, you’ll receive additional allowances and overtime in line with our Enterprise Agreement.
These arrangements help us provide an essential service to South Australians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Step 1 - online application: submit an online application form through our Current Vacancies, page. You will be asked a series of questions to support your application, and may be asked to upload evidence for meeting the minimum criteria below:
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident
- You are proficient in English, and possess sound math's and mechanical reasoning skills
- You hold a current and valid Australian driver’s licence (full or probationary)
- You hold a Certificate III in Electrotechnology
- Unrestricted Electrical Workers Licence
- You are willing to undergo a pre-employment medical (including a drug and alcohol test) and police check.
Step 2 - Aptitude assessment: complete an online assessment of your verbal, numeric and mechanical abilities.
Step 3 - Face-to-face interview: attend an interview with our team, discuss your skills and interest in the role.
Step 4 - Heights & dexterity assessment: you’ll be asked to show your dexterity while performing a task at heights.
Step 5 – Pre-employment background checks: complete a medical assessment, criminal history check, driving history check and reference checks.
We’ll provide further information and instructions as you progress through each stage.
From 1 January 2015, students starting accredited training in Australia must hold a Unique Student Identifier Number (USI), but please note that you do not have to have a USI before submitting an application. For further information on USIs please visit www.usi.gov.au
You’ll be offered a four-year fixed-term contract for training. As an SA Power Networks employee, you are covered by an Enterprise Agreement throughout this time.
Yes – you must have a Certificate III in Electrotechnology and an Unrestricted Electrical Workers Licence.
You'll work towards gaining your Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Overhead (UTE30621), along with additional training provided by SA Power Networks.
This training includes a range of essential skills and certifications, such as:
- White Card
- EWP Escape & Rescue
- Licence to Perform Rigging Basic Level
- Pole & Tower Rescue
- Low Voltage Pole Top Rescue
- Low Voltage Ground Level Rescue
- Powerline Low Voltage Service Connection Testing – Initial
- Low Voltage Energised Work
- SWER
You’ll receive a base annual salary of $102,971 plus superannuation and applicable weekly allowances including Electrical Workers Allowance ($75.56), Tool Allowance ($30.35) and Inconvenience Allowance ($120.50).
You’ll complete your training at our purpose-built training centres, in Angle Park (Adelaide) and Port Augusta.
Address your cover letter to the Recruitment Team. Your application will be viewed by members of our HR team and relevant hiring managers.
If possible, your current employer, manager or supervisor is the preferred referee. If this is not possible it should be someone in a senior or leadership role who can comment on your work performance. Other referees such as a mentor, coach, educator or a community group leader would also be acceptable.
No personal referees will be accepted.