The power station is scheduled to close by August 2027. More than 1000 workers will be directly impacted by the closure.
This is an important test in Australia's transition from fossil fuel power to renewables.
The Centre for Future Work has written a submission to the Net Zero Economy Agency (NZEA) urging it to apply its Energy Industry Jobs Plan to the Eraring closure, to avoid inflicting undue pain on workers currently employed at the power station.
In the submission, it argues that this important process should not be left solely to the power station owner, Origin Energy, but managed under the Energy Industry Jobs Plan, which was set up for this precise purpose.
"We hear a lot about how the transition to a clean energy future involves helping workers in the coal and gas industry secure jobs when theirs disappear," said Charlie Joyce, Researcher, Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute.
"To help this process, the government set up the Net Zero Economy Authority, which established an Energy Industry Jobs Plan, designed specifically to support workers who'll lose their jobs when coal and gas power stations close down.
"Well, now the nation's biggest coal-fired power station is closing down. It's time for this plan to deliver.
"Origin has made some noise about helping workers with retraining and career counselling, but that's not enough. This impacts far more than those employed directly by Origin Energy. It requires coordination with industry, unions, and the broader community.
"The nation will be watching how the Eraring closure unfolds. This is an important test for transitioning workers into good, secure jobs.
"It would be senseless for the Net Zero Economy Authority not to use its Energy Industry Jobs Plan in this situation. This is what it was set up to do."
