Graduate possibilities start with us

Unleash your potential with a graduate program in engineering or environment, and be a part of creating Queensland’s world-class energy future. Kicking off your career with Powerlink’s graduate program is all it takes to set up life-long possibilities for a fulfilling career. 

  • rotations across the business to build your technical knowledge and capability
  • a 2-year foundation program developing personal, work, and life skills to prepare you for success at Powerlink
  • external professional development opportunities and support for Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) status
  • buddy and mentoring programs with our experienced network of professional leaders
  • regular social activities to keep you connected to your graduate cohort
  • 9-day fortnight and flexible working opportunities
  • permanent employment and competitive salary.

We offer dynamic programs in engineering and environmental science/engineering that will give you the best possible grounding for a career in the energy industry.

There's never been a better time to be a graduate at Powerlink!

Your program and rotations


Our engineering programs offer unique opportunities to grow and build your skills & knowledge through diverse rotations.

We welcome graduates with degrees or double degrees in Civil, Electrical & Mechatronic engineering who are passionate about the power system and are keen to develop a career in energy.

We offer dynamic programs, from 2-4 years, with placements across a range of 50+ teams rotating through four core areas: Systems, Design, Field and Delivery/Projects. Additional elective options are also on offer, before we support your transition into a role off-program within Powerlink.

  • Graduate Electrical Engineers: rotate in 6-month placements through 4x Core areas over 2-years with 1+ year/s for additional electives.
  • Graduate Civil Engineers: rotate in 12-month placements through 3x Core Areas over 3-years – with the option for additional electives if nominated.

With a range of teams and distinct activities within them, these are some of our main rotation areas:

You’ll focus on how technology, strategy and future planning coming together to play a key role in the power system, working alongside some of the leading minds in their field, with a front row seat in the energy transition in teams including Grid Planning, Portfolio Planning & Optimisation, Renewable Connections, Synchronous Connections, Power System Performance, Asset Management Systems, Substation Strategies, Lines Strategies, Secondary Systems & Telecommunications Strategies, Operations Planning, Incident Management and Strategic & Future Network Operations.

Working alongside our highly experienced in-house design engineers, you’ll gain valuable experience in core design principles and their application to Queensland’s high-voltage transmission network, in teams including Protection Systems Design, Secondary Systems Design, Substation Design, Lines Design, Telecommunications Design and Major Projects Design. 

Gaining valuable time in the field, you’ll be out and about - with the opportunity to travel onsite to projects and gain firsthand experience in the delivery and commissioning of new assets or through applied operational engineering and maintenance of our network with teams including Delivery, Commissioning, Telecommunications Commissioning, Asset Integrity & Performance Solutions, Primary Systems Field Engineering and Secondary Systems Field Engineering. 

As part of the teams delivering some of the states largest energy infrastructure projects, you’ll gain skills and experience in project management, construction and project engineering in teams including Network Customer Solutions, Regulated Projects, Construction, Construction Methodologies, Design Management, Major Customer Projects, Major Projects Delivery, CopperString Project Construction and CopperString Project Engineering. 

 

Our environment graduates rotate across a 3-year program, building knowledge and capability in compliance and risk, approvals, property, easement maintenance, asset planning & design, operations, safety, compliance and environmental management.

With more rotations being added, you’ll currently have the opportunity to rotate through:

Our Environment team partners with the whole business to minimise our impact on the planet whilst we strive to deliver a world class energy future for Queenslanders. We do so through the provision of practical, specialist advice that enables Powerlink to proactively manage environmental risks and remain compliant with legislative requirements. Our specialist knowledge allows us to obtain the environmental approvals required to connect the new wave of renewable energy providers.  We maintain Powerlink’s environmental management system and influence how work is done to embed a sustainable approach to our activities. Our team is split between the southern, central and northern regions. An emphasis on teamwork and continuously building a diversity of strengths allows us to remain effective in a dynamic environment.

Graduates as part of the Environmental Graduate Program are immersed in a dynamic rotation that offers hands-on exposure to key areas of property and environmental management across the Community, Delivery and Service group. The program is designed to foster critical thinking, stakeholder engagement, and technical proficiency across the following areas:

Land Access & Acquisition

Graduates support the facilitation of land access agreements and assist in the acquisition process, developing skills in stakeholder negotiation, landholder engagement, and navigating legal and regulatory frameworks.

Offset Management & Environmental Approvals

Through involvement in offset site identification, monitoring, and reporting, graduates gain a strong foundation in environmental planning, strategy, and compliance. They also contribute to environmental approval processes, learning how to interpret legislation and assess environmental impacts.

Land Management

Graduates assist in implementing land management plans, supporting activities such as weed control, erosion mitigation, and engagement with Traditional Owners. This builds practical skills in vegetation management, land condition monitoring, and cultural heritage awareness.

Estimating & Project Planning

By contributing to project scoping, cost estimation, and financial planning, graduates develop commercial awareness, budgeting skills, and an understanding of how to align environmental and property strategies with broader project goals.

Our Operational Engineering group’s core function is to ensure operational asset integrity, which means that the network assets are safe, reliable, compliant and fit for purpose.

The group is responsible for the planning, design, and optimisation of the network operational assets, as well as the management of the operational risks and issues. Operational Engineering also works closely with our Energy Digital Management Group to leverage data and insights to improve the asset management and operational performance of the network.

Your career development

At Powerlink, we offer a comprehensive suite of professional development opportunities designed to help you unlock your potential and pursue a wide array of possibilities. Growth and continuous learning are central to both individual and organisational success. We are committed to supporting our Graduates as they embrace curiosity, engage in lifelong learning, and maximise the opportunities available to them.

Our learning and development initiatives include:

  • Rotation-based learning programs complemented by external courses and training sessions
  • Capability workshops focusing on communication, time management, conflict resolution, collaboration, and networking
  • Professional skills training in areas such as financial literacy, interviewing, technical writing and more.
  • Coaching from experienced Powerlink leaders via our Graduate Mentoring Program
  • Annual individual professional development allowances for self-directed learning
  • Support for professional memberships and attendance at industry forums and conferences to facilitate ongoing learning and networking
  • Regular capability and career conversations to assess strengths, identify development needs, and discuss career aspirations
  • Targeted initiatives such as the Fast Five program in partnership with Trellis Collective to support early career women in male-dominated industries.

We encourage you to actively shape your career path and make a meaningful impact. At Powerlink, you will find a supportive environment, valuable resources, and a culture that enables you to personalise your career journey according to your unique ambitions and interests.

‘Every opportunity to learn and grow will be provided while on the graduate program, take them, put them into action and you will be able to make a difference to the energy transition’

Brody Ward, Powerlink Graduate Alumni

What you'll need

Our values guide our decision-making and underpin the way we support our purpose – to connect Queenslanders to a world-class energy future.  We look for people who demonstrate values in accountability, customer-focus, teamwork and safety. 

 

Our graduate engineering officer program is open to those who are completing their final year of study - or who have recently completed qualifications – offered at the level of professional engineer under the Washington Accord in:

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical, Mechatronics or Telecommunications)
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
  • Dual Bachelor of Engineering and Business, Science, IT, Computer Science or Data Science

     

 

Our environment program is open to those who are completing their final year of study - or who have recently completed qualifications in: 

  • Bachelor of Environmental Science
  • Bachelor of Environmental Engineering
  • Bachelor of Environmental Management

Meet the early careers team

PRE-Register for our 2027 GRADUATE program 

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Prosple Top 100 2026
AHRA Award badge
AGRIAS winner 2025

2027 Graduate Program Timeline

23 February 2026

Applications open

27 March 2026

Applications closed

March-April 2026

Online testing

April 2026

Final shortlisting

May 2026

Assessment Centres in Brisbane and Pre-Employment Checks

May-June 2026

Successful candidates confirmed, and formal employment offers issued

July 2026

Pre-Boarding Commences

January 2027

2027 Development Engineering Graduates start at Powerlink

Full timeline