A case study report of the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) and Future Made in Australia (FMiA) program. It provides an overview of the background and context of the two initiatives, program implementation, and impact and relevance. It identifies funding mechanisms, implementation challenges and adaptations, the lessons learned and relevance to Canada.

NZEA is a new arms-length agency that is run by an independent board with legislated powers to identify regions where energy transitions will create employment disruptions and develop transition plans engaging affected firms. The agency is supported by a complementary suite of industrial policy programs under the FMiA with financial and regulatory resources to foster the growth of alternative employers in the affected regions. 

The similarities between Canada and Australia in terms of geography, history, economic structure, colonial history and even political dynamics make this Australian experience highly relevant in the Canadian context.

The Australian strategy offers many promising lessons for Canada. It provides a pragmatic and real world example of an integrated, multi-departmental approach to transition planning that connects the employment opportunities associated with growing sustainable sectors with the transition challenges faced by carbon-intensive industries, and with a focus on highly vulnerable communities and regions.