Wind farm construction in Australia draws on a wide range of trades and labour, from the civil crews who pour turbine foundations to the electricians who commission the switchgear once the towers are up. If you want to work on a wind farm, the quickest way onto a project is usually through a labour hire company that already places workers on renewable energy sites.
What roles do wind farm projects need?
A wind farm build moves through a few distinct phases, and each one needs different people on site.
Typical roles by phase:
- Early construction: civil labourers and machine operators, building access roads, hardstands and turbine foundations.
- Tower and turbine erection: riggers, dogmen and crane operators.
- Electrical and mechanical fit-out: electricians and mechanical fitters, handling cabling, switchgear and commissioning.
- Throughout the build: traffic controllers, given the size and movement of plant on these sites.
- Once operating: maintenance technicians and general trades to keep the wind farm running.
The exact mix of roles varies from project to project and depends on the stage of construction, so it’s worth checking with your labour hire provider or the head contractor about what’s actually on offer at a given site.
What working on a wind farm is actually like
Wind farms are usually built in regional areas, on open, elevated sites chosen for consistent wind, which also means the work is often exposed to the weather. Expect early starts, a lot of outdoor work, and days that shift with what the schedule and conditions allow.
Because most wind farms are some distance from major towns, many workers travel in for the length of a project or a swing, rather than commuting daily from home. If that’s a factor for you, it’s worth asking your labour hire provider about the arrangements for a specific project before you commit.
Like most large construction sites, wind farms run a formal site induction alongside the general construction induction, plus whatever additional screening or checks the head contractor requires. Ask what’s involved before your first day so you’re not caught out.
The tickets and licences you’ll typically need
Most construction sites, wind farms included, require a White Card (the general construction induction card). It’s obtained by completing the nationally recognised general construction induction training, and it’s the baseline for construction work anywhere in Australia.
Beyond that, some higher-risk activities, such as operating certain cranes, forklifts or hoists, or performing dogging, rigging or certain scaffolding work, need a High Risk Work (HRW) licence issued by the relevant state or territory WHS regulator. Exactly which activities need which licence class can vary, so confirm the specific requirement for your role before you start.
Requirements can also differ by state and by site, so always check the current details with the employer or labour hire provider rather than assuming one project’s rules carry over to the next.
How to get on site
Most workers get onto wind farm projects through a labour hire company rather than applying to the developer or head contractor directly. Through our labour hire service, TradeConnex employs the worker directly and places them with the client business running the project, so you’re covered by TradeConnex while you work on site for the client.
Renewable energy projects tend to run in regional areas and ramp up and down with the construction schedule. Being registered with a labour hire provider ahead of time means you’re already in the mix when a project needs your ticket or trade, rather than starting from scratch once work is underway. It also means one registration can cover you for more than one project, instead of applying fresh every time a new wind farm starts hiring.
Wind farms are part of a broader renewable energy workforce that also spans solar and battery storage projects, so the same registration can put you in the running across more than one type of site.
If you want to be considered for wind farm and other renewable energy roles as they come up, register for work with TradeConnex and let us know your tickets, trade and availability.
This article is general information only and current at the time of publication. Requirements can vary by state, role, industry and individual circumstances. Before acting, confirm the current details with the relevant authority, for example SafeWork (tickets and workplace safety), the ATO (tax and superannuation) or the Fair Work Ombudsman (pay and entitlements).
