On 10 November 2025, the AER granted a waiver to Essential Energy from clauses 3.1(b), 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 of the of the Ring-fencing guideline (Electricity distribution). The waiver allows Essential Energy to establish a purpose-built training centre at Tamworth with additional training hubs at Parkes, Grafton, Orange, Wagga Wagga and Goulburn, and to provide the following training courses: 

• Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start), 

• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician,

• Certificate IV in ESI – Substations, 

• Certificate IV in ESI – Network systems, 

• Certificate III in ESI- distribution overhead, 

• Certificate III in ESI – distribution underground, 

• Certificate IV in electrical renewable energy (includes working on grid connected photovoltaic systems, battery storage systems, generating set systems), 

• Diploma of renewable energy engineering, and 

• Electric vehicle charger micro credentials.

The waiver is granted with conditions which will help in providing transparency of academy’s operations and ensure other training providers are not disadvantaged due to Essential Energy’s presence in the vocational training market. 

The waiver will expire on 30 June 2034, unless varied or revoked sooner.