In Australia, companies from all sectors, especially the financial sector, are looking for qualified ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) professionals
Living in Australia has many advantages. As well as seeking a better quality of life, moving to Australia can be a great investment in your career: many professionals find a great place in the Australian job market, working in their own area of expertise. The ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) sector is currently booming on Australian soil.
The growth of the area, especially for the financial market (which includes, for example, cryptoassets and metaverse) is a trend worldwide. According to the study FIS Global Innovation Report 2023executives expect the following fintech areas to have a moderate or major impact this year: ESG (cited by 84% of respondents), embedded finance (84%), decentralized finance (DeFi; 82%), metaverse (80%) and cryptocurrencies (77%).
Efforts to reduce environmental impacts and to promote greater diversity and inclusion in companies have become increasingly important. The subject was on the agenda, for example, at COP 27, the United Nations Conference held in November 2022.
In Australia, companies have also been implementing and investing in the ESG sector. The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has further accelerated this process: according to a study by Cerulli Associates, the demand for sustainable investments had increased significantly in 2021compared to the previous year.
In September 2022, ESG in companies gained even more momentum. The Australian government implemented the Climate Change Bill 2022which sets a target of reducing carbon emissions by 43% by 2030. The goal for 2050 is zero emissions.
According to a survey by Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)Almost 70% of Australia's medium and large companies claim to publicly disclose their strategies for measuring and managing factors that influence the risks to the planet's climate.
ESG is gaining a lot of ground, especially in the area of finance. According to the FIS Global Innovation Report, 53% of Australian financial services companies say ESG practices boost their competitiveness in the marketplace.
In contrast, 46% of those interviewed said that the biggest challenge in ESG is the lack of data and tools for creating strategies. This is why this is a sector that should continue to grow in Australia, with demand for technology and skilled labor.
Jobs in the area
The high demand for qualified ESG professionals opens up a range of opportunities for foreigners from various fields.
Currently, according to The Fifth StateThe Australian market has been absorbing professionals from engineering, science and communications backgrounds. In other words: many professionals have made a career transition and, in this respect, having a postgraduate degree or specialization in the subject can be a great differentiator.
You can find job opportunities for different functions and positions in ESG, such as:
:: sustainability coordinator
:: sustainability consultant
:: finance and ESG director
:: sustainability engineer
:: conservation specialist
:: urban planning specialist
:: environmental manager
:: project manager
Good Day specializes in supporting professionals who want to work in Australia. Want to know how the agency can help you plan your ESG career? Get in touch with our experts!

