The uptake of renewable energy is primarily motivated by the need for low-carbon sources of energy, though a number of other benefits also arise. The creation of jobs is one such frequently cited benefit of the transition to a renewable energy base, and many claims are made regarding the employment needed to build, operate and maintain renewable energy infrastructure. Internationally, we see that data on renewable energy employment are almost exclusively produced by peak bodies representing the various types of renewable energy (solar, wind etc.) and are conspicuously absent from official statistics produced by national statistical agencies.

This paper describes recent work by the ABS in defining and measuring employment in renewable energy activities. 'Renewable energy' includes a diverse range of activities, including construction, marketing, energy production and various financial, research and regulatory functions. The cross-cutting nature of 'renewable energy' requires that it be treated as a non-standard industry and the authors describe both the implications of this treatment and how the ABS has gone about meeting the challenge. Finally, the paper highlights data results from the recently released ABS publication Employment in renewable energy activities, Australia 2015-16 (cat no 4631.0).