Summer Vacation Program
Spend your summer building something that lasts - for your future and Queensland’s.
We love solving complex problems at Powerlink, so our Vacation Program gives you the opportunity to do just that.
Over 13-weeks, you'll learn about our industry and business, and get stuck into interesting, cutting-edge projects that aren't being delivered anywhere else in Queensland, while enjoying all the benefits of a Powerlink career.
Through every solution found and lesson learned, you'll gain new skills and knowledge that will set you apart from your peers. That means powerful opportunities for your career.
How many other undergrads can say they helped deliver electricity to more than four million Queenslanders?
Our vacation program provides an opportunity to learn about our industry and business, and gain ‘real life’ work experience across a range of work areas. As an undergraduate, you will have the chance to work on projects that help deliver electricity to more than five million Queenslanders.
how it works
- 13-week embedded program during summer university break
- Programs are available in various divisions across the business
- Advertising commences August for a November commencement
what you'll need
Continuing university studies in the following disciplines (usually second and third year students):
- engineering – electrical, electronic or mechatronics
- information technology
- business/commerce/law
- accounting/economics
- environment, environmental engineering & environmental science
Work-integrated learning and professional practice
As part of your university studies, you may be required to complete mandated work integrated learning or professional practice hours to graduate from your degree.
Powerlink regularly host students for these opportunities outside of our summer vacation program.
For more information, or to enquire about a potential placement, contact [email protected]
Honours year and research
Powerlink works with most major universities in Brisbane to submit thesis topics to their industry placement teams each semester.
These topics are a combination of those formulated by our in-house research working group, and topics that arise throughout the year where we value the input of students to help us tackle challenges and problem-solve.
For more information, or to enquire about how to complete your thesis studies with us, contact [email protected]
See our 2024/25 Summer Vacation Program placements
Business IT and Digital Delivery
Enterprise Data & Analytics Team
You’ll work with data professionals and data scientists operating an advanced cloud data & analytics platform. Depending on your interest and/or existing training you would get to work on initiatives for the business such as developing analytics or larger technology projects.
You’ll be currently studying: Data science, data & analytics, data engineering
Program Portfolio Service Transition Team
You’ll work with the team that ensures effective end-user adoption within the IT portfolio, focusing on change management, training, testing, and transition to support users in adapting to new IT solutions. Their efforts are crucial for enhancing user experience and ensuring that users are well-equipped to utilise new technologies effectively.
You’ll be currently studying: Business, HR, Organisational Psychology, IT
Energy Futures
Energy Markets, Network Strategy
You’ll work amongst the team responsible for the future system planning and vision of the high voltage electricity transmission network in Queensland. The team explores how future energy use will change and what people, communities and industry will require and identifies the optimal future system development paths to meet those needs. They work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Queensland Government Departments to ensure that the transmission network is capable of supporting the reliable delivery of electricity to customers now and into the future.
You’ll currently be studying: Bachelor of Engineering (Elec, Software, Mech), Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Data Science
You’ll also be proficient in Python + SQL programming language
Operations
Laboratory Services
Our Laboratory Services provides transformer insulation, oil and gas testing for the electrical industry to assist them in maintaining their high voltage assets. During your placement, you’ll be assisting the team in sample preparation, testing and general laboratory duties.
You’ll currently be studying: Bachelor of Science – Majoring in Chemistry
Operational Engineering, Asset Performance Team
Our Asset Integrity & Performance Solutions team supports state-wide routine maintenance delivery and processes associated with Transmission Lines and Cables, Substations, Secondary Systems, Telecommunications and Metering. The team also plans high level routine maintenance activities to ensure all maintenance can be delivered according to policy in a timely and cost-effective way. As part of this team, you’ll be supporting with data analysis work and building of dashboards to visualise asset information.
You’ll currently be studying: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering or Computer Science
Real Time Network Operations Team
This team play a key role in the technical input into the Operation of Queensland's Transmission Network. You’ll work amongst the team that provides technical advice to the control room as well as AEMO, to operate and allow outages to the network in a safe and secure state.
You’ll currently be studying: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
Projects
Delivery & Commissioning Team
You’ll get the opportunity to work with the team responsible for the delivery and commissioning of High Voltage infrastructure projects, ranging from HV connections of large renewable projects such as solar and wind farms, energy storage projects (battery storage and pumped hydro), to operational refurbishment projects; across the whole project lifecycle from scoping, estimating, scheduling and planning to construction, testing and integration of new assets within the existing HV infrastructure, ensuring constructability is achieved and the requirements to integrate new equipment into an operational network are considered to enable a safe, efficient and effective project delivery.
You’ll be currently studying: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
CopperString Primary Design Team
CopperString 2032, led by Powerlink, initially involves building 840 kilometres (km) of new electricity transmission line from just south of Townsville in the Burdekin region to Mount Isa that will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market for the first time in Australia’s history. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about substation engineering by being involved in the design coordination, design review and procurement interface. You’ll also have the opportunity to get involved in Safety in Design workshops and learn core electrical aspects of HV substations by assisting senior engineers closely in the design management activities.
You’ll currently be studying: Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
CopperString Civil Design Team
CopperString 2032, led by Powerlink, initially involves building 840 kilometres (km) of new electricity transmission line from just south of Townsville in the Burdekin region to Mount Isa that will connect Queensland’s North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market for the first time in Australia’s history. You’ll get involved in the management and review of our CopperString projects civil design aspects. This will include site selection, RFI coordination and more.